I was at Del Mar last week and as usual the weather was great, but I came back with empty pockets.
Mostly it was the food and drinks, not the horses.
After enjoying very expensive meals, paying to park the car to get into the track, the Form and some $7 beers, who has money left to gamble?
Getting back home around 1:45 p.m. just in time for the first race at Del Mar, we parked in the garage for free, got a room for free, had some drinks for the cost of tipping the cocktail waitress, had lots of money left to bet with and, to top it off, we got a comp to the newly redecorated Italian restaurant at the Palace Station.
Thank you, Vegas!
The legendary comedian WC Fields once said, “Anyone who hates children and animals can’t be all bad.” After my recent trip I agree halfway as when I got home my dogs Libby and Dino where very happy to see me and I was happy to see them.
As for kids, well that is another story.
Sitting by me at the track in the next box were out of control screaming kids. At dinner there were always out of control screaming kids, but is it the kids or the parents?
If I acted that way when I was a kid it would have been all over, but in our new “be nice we don’t want to hurt their feelings” lifestyle parents just let them be and disrupt everyone else’s life.
Wow, football is upon us! It could not come soon enough for me and what better city to live in during that time than Las Vegas. The books will all have their big Monday night specials, the parlay cards and, don’t forget, those 10 team parlays.
If you don’t play one you can’t win! There are a lot of contests for the little guys and big hitters so get into one. Take your shot and maybe walk around lucky without knowing it.
In the meantime, let’s look at a few preseason games.
Friday, Aug. 26
Packers at Colts (CBS, 5 PT): You would think the Colts would want to play some starters, but Green Bay will be thinking the same thing. If the past is anything to go on, I will take the high percentage play. PACKERS.
Rams at Chiefs (5 PT): The most important thing to remember when handicapping a preseason game is some coaches want to win, while some don’t want any injuries and like to experiment. That’s what we have here. Spagnuolo for the Rams just wants to win. Haley for the Chiefs seems not to care. The Rams won their first two and are 5-0 ATS in their last five preseason road games. RAMS.
Saturday, Aug. 27
Jets at Giants (4 PT): This game looks just a little easy but will still stay with the trend. Jets HC Rex Ryan hates to lose and his preseason road record of 9-1 ATS sticks out like a sore thumb. The Giants have lost 12 of the last 15 preseason games against their cross-town rivals. JETS.
Falcons at Steelers (4:30 PT): Falcons fly into Pittsburgh off back-to-back losses. Steelers, off an impressive win over the Eagles, will get everyone ready this game for the regular season. This may be over in the first half. STEELERS.
Don’t forget this Saturday at Jerry’s Nugget is our big get together. I will be hosting a handicapping seminar in the race book. My special guests are the three guys from the Bad Beat radio show – the all knowing Ralph Siraco, Rich “The Mind” Rose and my buddy and future TV star Lou D’Amico.
We are going to have a great time. The carving station at Jerry’s book is worth the trip along with some good plays on the ponies from us four.