A person, a machine and a drawerful of money

Saratoga Springs, New York

The convenience of account wagering is obvious but, unable to log into my NYRA account via the Internet (yeah, that’s a surprise) even while at the racetrack and unwilling to take the time necessary to deal with someone in India who calls himself Brad and works a help desk, at least until this meeting is over, I have returned to the roots of pari-mutuel wagering – cash and clerks.

This is more or less a bit of the nostalgia that goes hand-in-glove with Saratoga, which is a most comfortable place in which to reminisce. Summers, races, horses, people, betting scores, torturous losses and various adventures past tend to live closer to the surface of consciousness here.

Saratoga, like most things, is never as good as the memory. But while much has changed including the humans who have long made the pilgrimage to what they expect will be an idyllic racing season, the soul of Saratoga is unsullied and the thing that brings people back here, the old racetrack and summer afternoons of sport remain.

For many years, it seemed unnecessary to have a wagering account since I was present at the races every day with a clerk and betting window a matter of yards away. Since my attendance nowadays is limited to weekends, the periods leading up to important events and other times when writing assignments require my presence, I have joined those whose participation, while regular, is remote, recorded only by software that debits and credits accounts – when working properly. Playing horses has become something like trading securities. Once decisions are made and transactions executed it is reduced to numbers on a screen. CNBC or TVG – same thing.

So, what would otherwise have been a frustrating software failure has produced a serendipitous result.

A loss is a loss, but there is something particularly gratifying about walking up to a window, cashing a winning ticket, counting the money, folding it and putting it into your pocket. That instant gratification is what’s missing from the account wagering experience.

So, I’ll deal with the help desk guy before Belmont opens, but for the next two weeks, hopefully often, I’ll enjoy this reunion with American currency, devalued though it may be, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, other dead presidents and the clerks of Saratoga. – PM


Remembering Genuine Risk

She was as tough a filly on the racetrack as we’ve seen in our lifetime and equally dismal in the breeding shed.

RACE RECORD for Genuine Risk: At 2, four wins (Demoiselle S.-G2, Tempted S.) in 4 starts; at 3, Champion 3-year-old filly (1980), 4 wins (Kentucky Derby-G1, Ruffian H.-G1), 3 times 2nd (BelmontS.-G1, Preakness S.-G1, Maskette S.-G2), once 3rd (Wood Memorial S.-G1) in 8 starts; at 4, two wins, once 3rd in 3 starts. Totals: 10 wins, 3 times 2nd, twice 3rd in 15 starts. Earned $646,587. Sent
from United States to Ireland in 1984. Returned to United States from Ireland in 1985.

PRODUCE RECORD for Genuine Risk:

1983 Dead foal.
1984 Barren.
1985 Barren.
1986 Not bred previous year.
1987 Barren.
1988 Barren.
1989 Broodmare aborted.
1990 Broodmare aborted.
1991 Broodmare aborted.
1992 Broodmare aborted (bred to Rahy).
1993 Genuine Reward, c. by Rahy. Sire.
1994 Barren (bred to Wild Again).
1995 Barren (bred to Wild Again).
1996 Count Our Blessing, c. by Chief Honcho. Unraced.
1997 Dead foal (bred to Chief Honcho).
1998 Barren (bred to French Deputy).
1999 Barren (bred to French Deputy).
2000 Barren (bred to Chenin Blanc).