Betting on Roses and Cherries

Once again, on Saturday, May 5, 2018 Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky will host the 144th annual Kentucky Derby. This year’s derby field is open to 20 horses, with a purse of US $2 million dollars. 158,070 showed up at Churchill Downs to bet and watch the action live.  Last year over $200 million dollars was wagered. 

The question is, “Can a slot machine act like a horse race?”  Well…statistics show that most horse gamblers don’t play slots, and most slot gamblers don’t bet the horses.  But here’s the theory; betting on a horse race has many of the same psychodynamics as betting on a slot machine.   Here are a few similarities; when you bet on either event, you are betting on a hypothecated outcome.  In horse racing, hitting a longshot pays big odds. In slots, hitting a big slot jackpot is a longshot.   In horse racing, you bet on the order in which the horses finish. In slots, you bet on the order in which the “reels” finish. In slots, you pull the handle (press the button) and the reels start spinning.  In a horse race, the bell sounds, the starting gate crashes open and “They’re Off”. The real action starts here. The horses are off and running and the reels are spinning fast. In both cases, at the start, both gamblers experience an emotional rush.  Adrenaline triggers your heart to pump faster. As the reels spin you're watching for you're cherries, you need three.  The race continues, 20 horses with blazing speed jockey for position; your horse is making a move! You’re in it and you’re gonna’ win!   “Action baby!” The horses mark a blistering pace as they pass the half mile mark and the first reel of the slot stops spinning – it’s a cherry, you need two more!   Oh yeah, we’re gonna win it. “Bring it baby! Come to Papa”.  Endorphins kick-in and the action triggers a euphoric high. Now the best part - your horse is making a move down the back stretch heading for the front of the pack, and the second reel stops; another cherry, you only need one more! “Yeah, Baby- here they come down the final stretch heading for the wire, come on one more cherry!  I’m gonna win it”.  I can’t stand it. Holy crap! High five! High Five! Then, the final reel slows to a stop, and the pack of horses cross the wire but it's a photo finish. You tell me…

So, I live in Kentucky and New Jersey and enjoy the best of the two worlds; beaches and casinos, and bluegrass and horses. They may be worlds apart, but when the derby comes to town, I of course, am a horseman.  I’ve also managed a few racetracks in my time. Ironically, they each had a casino and slot machines. Anyway, the focus is on tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby. It will undoubtedly be another historic day for horse racing - so pick a horse and get in on the action.

My pick? I like Bob Baffert-trained, Justify.  This horse won the $1 million Santa Anita Derby.

Ladies and gentlemen; start your engines!  Hmmmm….