For those of you who are not familiar with this blog category … I have resolved to bet $20 on a single horse every time he races at Saratoga’s harness track. The horse, a 6-year-old blue roan gelding officially named Pay Me To Knight, but colloquially known as “Junior,” has won one of his three races this year, but last week he had an unfortunate mishap and broke his stride, causing him to finish last.
I found out after that race that Junior had grabbed a knee boot during his run to the front, and almost fell forward. The only way he could avoid going face first into the Saratoga track was to go off-stride. Lose the race, save the horse.
It’s Sunday. Junior had his knee boots and shoes replaced, and he’s ready for action. He’s in the third race at the harness track, with a morning line of 3-1 odds. That’s good money. $20 on his nose to win. Let’s see what happens.
As the race began, Junior settled into fifth pace in a field of seven horses (it was eight horses, but the #8 horse Titan on the Rail was a late scratch). Junior worked his way up after the first lap, moving to fourth … then third … then in a heated battle with the #1 horse, Yucatan Party Man, to try to overtake the leader, #4 Busting with Pride.
And in the final stretch, Yucatan Party Man took the inside lane, while Pay Me To Knight took the outside channel. And by the whiskers on his nose …
Yucatan Party Man was the winner. Ugh.
Okay, let me see the positives. Junior didn’t break stride, and he came on strong throughout the race. He just needed one more step. Maybe two.
We’ll get ’em next time. For sure.
And maybe next time, someone should smear some dirt or mud on Junior’s nose … because I think he lost that race by having a clean face, if you know what I’m saying here.
Chuck The Writer 
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