Since Thanksgiving has passed, I am trying to get myself into the holiday spirit. Stores have been decorated since at least Halloween and some of my friends were hanging their outdoor lights before daylight saving time kicked in! Some years, I just have a hard time getting excited for the holidays, so I am trying something new this year.
I am taking a break from trying to make a living from the races and enjoying some horse racing holiday carols!
Our first selection is a reminder not to violate the first of the ten commandments of playing the races!
Jingle Coins (to the tune of Jingle Bells)
[Verse 1]
Dashing through the stands
With a can’t-lose horse to play
Through the crowds we go
Running all the way
With three minute to post
Something makes you turn white
At the front of the line you’re in
The change purse just came out
[Chorus]
Jingle coins, jingle coins
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to stand
Behind a person with change to pay, hey
Jingle coins, jingle coins
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to stand
Behind a person with change to pay
[Verse 2]
A day or two ago
I thought I’d make a bet
And soon, Miss Coin Purse Bright
Was standing in my line
The line was short and small
Misfortune was our lot
She counted out ten bucks in dimes
And then we got shut out
I love playing horizontal, or multi-race, wagers. So, our next song focuses on one of my favorite horizontal wagers at the track — the daily double. Generally offered by most tracks on every race as a rolling double, if you hit a high percentage of contenders in each race, you can make some folding money throughout most of the race card!
The Double Song (to the tune of The Dreidel Song)
I have a little double
I think I’m gonna play
And when it’s finally post time
Then the double I shall play
Oh, double, double, double
I think I’m gonna play
And when it’s finally post time
Then, the double I will play
It has a lovely longshot
With legs so long and lean
I know he won’t get tired
He’ll wire them and win
Oh, double, double, double
I think it’s time to play
And when I’m at the window
Then, the double I will play
My longshot is so lively
He loves to race and win
A healthy paying double
He’s off clean, so I grin
Oh, double, double, double
Now he’s drawing away
When I’m back at the window
Then, my double will pay
Our last selection reminds us of the anxiety of watching the clock tick down as the horses head to the starting gate. At some tracks, zero minutes to post means you still have at least five minutes, but it is time to fold up your past performances and head down to the rail to watch the race. If you are lucky, you’ll carefully avoid Rail Guy and his last minute words of wisdom!
Post Time Don’t Be Late (to the tune of Christmas Don’t Be Late)
Post time, post time’s getting near
Time to race and time to cheer
I’ve been good, but I can’t last
Hurry post time, hurry fast
Want my horse to wire the field
And I have my exacta wheeled
I can hardly stand the wait
Please post time, don’t be late
Want my horse to wire the field
And I have my exacta wheeled
I can hardly stand the wait
Please post time, don’t be late
I can hardly stand the wait
Please post time, don’t be late
No matter what you celebrate, please have a joyous holiday and Happy New Year!
Ray Wallin is a licensed civil engineer and part-time handicapper who has had a presence on the Web since 2000 for various sports and horse racing websites and through his personal blog. Introduced to the sport over the course of a misspent teenage summer at Monmouth Park by his Uncle Dutch, a professional gambler, he quickly fell in love with racing and has been handicapping for over 25 years.
Ray’s background in engineering, along with his meticulous nature and fascination with numbers, parlay into his ability to analyze data; keep records; notice emerging trends; and find new handicapping angles and figures. While specializing in thoroughbred racing, Ray also handicaps harness racing, Quarter Horse racing, baseball, football, hockey, and has been rumored to have calculated the speed and pace ratings on two squirrels running through his backyard.
Ray likes focusing on pace and angle plays while finding the middle ground between the art and science of handicapping. When he is not crunching numbers, Ray enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on his alma mater (Rutgers University), fishing, and playing golf.
Ray’s blog, which focuses on his quest to make it to the NHC Finals while trying to improve his handicapping abilities can be found at www.jerseycapper.blogspot.com Ray can also be found on Twitter (@rayw76) and can be reached via email at ray.wallin@live.com.