My mother and dad visited Florida just to see whether or not they wanted to retire there. We found a hotel near the famous, Fontainbleu Hotel where they used...
My mother and dad visited Florida just to see whether or not they wanted to retire there. We found a hotel near the famous, Fontainbleu Hotel where they used that as their home base.
My father was walking around the hotel and then on the beach, when I decided to visit the race track. Since my mother had never been to any race track at all … she wanted to go.
We went to Hialeah Race Track in Miami not far from their hotel. The flamingos which are famous at that track and during the springtime would fly around the entire area in beautifully colorful formations!
My mother was totally consumed with their white and pink, flying patterns.
It was the eleventh & final race, I think .. I believe I was about even at that point. Then came that final race.
It was a cheap claiming race for mostly maidens (those horses who never won a race) and being from New Jersey and living in Piscataway, my house was located right near the State University, “Rutgers”.
Wouldn’t you know it, there was a long shot in the race called, “Rutgers”!! I had to bet that horse, no matter the history or the odds. I was suckered into betting this horse who had a huge stomach and probably had a big appetite as well.
As I remember the horse’s odds were about 20 to 1!!! I bet this horse to win and place.
As the race started, the flamingos got crazy and my mother was swooning at their beautiful colors. Rutgers, who hadn’t won a race as yet, immediately took the lead!! I held my breath while my mother swooned!!
He (I swear this horse appeared to be pregnant) or “she” was in front by five, seven and then ten lengths … and then around the final turn, the other horses started to catch up …. it got to the final eighth of a mile (this was a mile and an eighth race), the PHOTO SIGN went up. I thought to myself, at least I bet the horse for place .. the second horse was a five to one shot .. I have to win at least a hundred bucks for ten. and then the PHOTO came up … Number Four ….. RUTGERS BY A NOSE!!!
I had won about $500.00….. wowee.. My mother asked how I did .. I told her .. YES! I did well .. how did you do? … WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY IT WAS … “THOSE BIRDS WERE JUST SO EXCITING TO WATCH!” SO WAS “RUTGERS”, I REPLIED!!!