Well, did you win?
Or …
How did you do?
Did you have a good day?
Did you make any money?
After a day at the race track, you inevitably get one of these questions from family, friends, and co-workers.
I suppose it would be a fair question if you were a professional gambler, and profits and losses were the absolute measure of your success.
But for most horseplayers, horse racing is a hobby, something we like to do. And to me, a hobby requires a different measure than … did you win money? When someone enjoys a hobby; like golfing, fishing, or skiing … they’re not expected to justify themselves by “making money.” In fact, it’s expected they will spend money on golf clubs, fishing poles, boats, greens fees, lift tickets, etc.
The Paddock at Gulfstream Park
As I said on my Bio page, I am not a professional gambler. But, I often do well enough to justify my hobby and even pay for many of my racing trips. My hobby brings me to interesting places, where I have met fascinating people; in beautiful settings. I’ve enjoyed numerous thrills, with endless opportunities for measured risk and reward, and stories … oh, the stories I can tell.
So, here’s how I look at it; when the racing dust settles, did I spend more money than I would have golfing, boating, or skiing? No. Did I have fun? Absolutely. Is there a chance I could come home with more money than I left with? Yes. And how many hobbies can you say that about?
So from now, when someone asks, “Well, did you win?”, just smile and reply, “I had fun!”
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