I do not have a history of gambling. In fact, gambling does not excite me; it scares me. I am afraid that, if I win once, I may be encouraged to keep betting. That is because I have a hopeful nature. I am even more afraid after my recent experience.

Sweepstakes are my kind of gambling - big stakes, no risk. It's not that my luck (knock on wood) is bad; but why push it? I once overheard two guys who made a most interesting bet. The first guy says "I'll bet you everything I have in my wallet against everything you have in your wallet." This is what I'm afraid of.

Gambling is a big part of horse racing. You could argue that it is the only reason for racing. I liked to think that the real reason was because it is so much fun to see beautiful horses in a beautiful place running as fast as they can. The beginning, the middle, and the end of a race is exciting, That may seem a little naive, but then this was before I had been to the races. I had never been to the track nor had I betted before because, well, because I knew better, I was more mature than that, and, until this time, I had never had the chance.

Before I left the house, I decided how much I wanted to wager. Or to put it another way, how much I could afford to lose. Although the possibility to make a lot of money existed, I promised myself that I would not bet grocery money, the mortgage, or my immediate future. I know now that, even if you set a limit, it is wise to bring only that amount with you. Quitting while you are ahead is advice that can not be improved upon. If you break even, you are way ahead of the odds.

Upon arriving at the track, I was going to take the time to familiarize myself with the mechanics of betting. I figured I would do immeasurably better if I understood the definitions and implications of win, place, and show. I wanted to understand the Pick Six and know the exact meaning of the Exacta. Of course, the the excitement of the place, which has an atmosphere of money, emotion, and money, is contagious and I was swept away by a fever and a feeling that I had been throwing money away like this for years. It was not until the seventh race that I learned that show meant first, second, or third and not just third.

Odds and What They Mean.

The importance of odds to the novice, like myself, is non- existent. In betting, your objective is to try to narrow the odds from pure chance down to something less than pure chance. You do this by handicapping. Handicapping is the science, art, or futile exercise of increasing the odds in your favor by distilling all available information about the horses, jockeys, and track and then acting on it. It is colorful and fun to have a true handicapper in your party at the track, but my advice is to discreetly move away when deciding on what to bet.

The odds are really just a bunch of numbers - 30 to 1, 8 to 5, even money. Handicapping is almost entirely numbers. Track times, workout times, odds, jockey weights, position, etc. Who cares? Numbers are confusing. As a novice, you should bet on names not numbers. The names are one of the most interesting and poetic parts of horse racing. To be a successful first time bettor, go with your hunches. If the name Tight Halo sounds good, put your money down. Pay no attention to the odds. The thing to remember is that the worse the odds, the bigger the payoff. It is the name of the horse, his forebears, his jockey, stable, and owner that will be the key to your success.

Names and Phrases.

The names of the horses and the language surrounding horse racing are fascinating. Racing has generated phrases that are now a part of our everday usage. It went down to the wire. He came from behind. It was a photo finish. I won't be gone furlong. He beat him by a nose. It was even money.

Just a list of horse's names fires the imagination.

More Tips on Betting.

Before each race the horses are shown in the paddock area. They also bring them by the grandstand. This gives you a chance to view the horses before you place your bet. My advice is to not look at them. This dilutes the intuitive feelings you have acquired from the names. Remember, looks can be deceiving.

By the third race you will have identified your lucky betting window and it's inhabitant. Mine was inhabited by Ray. With his years of experience. Ray immediately recognized my inherent good luck and shrewd betting strategy and encouraged me to bet more. Keep returning to this window to place your bets. Luck is a fragile boat. Don't rock it.

My Day Went Like This.

As we walked in, the third race was about to start. From my extensive research in the car, I knew that the third race was a toss-up between Carbohydrate and a horse called Andinthiscorner. There was just enough time to place a bet. My resolve to act reasonably and prudently went out the window once I was at the track. The crowd, the excitement, and the beer all combined to drive me wild.

Having eaten a huge lunch, I wanted to go with Carbohydrate; but using reverse logic I bet on Andinthiscorner. Then they were off. Andinthiscorner was really off. He finished fifth in a field of nine horses. Carbohydrate came from behind to take it. I had lost my money but I had learned an important lesson. Don't bet with your head. Bet with your gut.

In the fourth, I bet on Cool Kiss to win and Coabey to place. This was a race for three year olds. I thought that was awfully young, but I bet anyway. Cool Kiss was out of the money, but Coabey had placed and I had won my first bet.

Being a veteran now of two races and having experienced the thrill of victory and easy money, I expanded my betting strategy. In each race I would bet on two horses to win, one to place, and I would bet the Exacta. The Exacta meant that I had to pick the number one and two horses for that race. This strategy involved betting $8-10 a race, which was expensive, but if I won I could recoup my losses and be in good shape for the next race. And if I won the Exacta, I would be a really big winner. You can see the direction I was headed in; two races and I was out of control. My limit had been raised, caution had been thrown to the wind, and I could feel my luck building. It was time for another beer.

Was it amazing that my new strategy worked in the fifth and sixth race? No. I had placed so many bets I couldn't help but win. It was Bettie Be Good in the fifth and Had You All Along in the sixth. My friends were beginning to look at me with a new- found respect.

My luck held for the last three races. It was Double Pie, the favorite, in the seventh, Profit Island out of Ack-Ack by Exclusive Native in the eighth, and Blopo's Night took Duck Hook by a nose in the ninth.

The language of the place was getting to me. The beauty of the horses and the track, the thrill of victory, and the possibility of a big payoff all combined to make me want to devote my life to this world of Horse Racing. I started to plan for tomorrow's races. An early start, the Racing Form, and maybe even a clipboard to facilitate handicapping. I thought I was even beginning to understand the odds. I was really in trouble.

On the drive home, the spell cast by the track lessened somewhat and I mentally tallied my winnings against my misplaced bets and found that although I had won in five of six races I had still lost $18. It was incredible!

An image of financial ruin, disgrace, and defeat, loomed up in my imagination. My money was gone. My friends had scattered. I spent my remaining years as a stableboy. It was a sad tale. I promised to change my ways. But then, my glance fell on the listings for tomorrow's first race. Let's see. Precious Martini to win. Two bucks on Road Map to show. Maybe, as insurance. Speedy Return to place. That way I was bound to be successful. Now, if only I could pick the Exacta.