JC / Railbird

Readings Archive

Readings: Haydn

“When they are ready, the bell is rung a second time, and at the first stroke they ride off at once. Whoever is the first to traverse the circle of 2 miles and return to the platform from which they started receives the prize. In the first heat there were 3 riders and they had to go around the circle twice without stopping. They did this double course in 5 minutes … No stranger would believe this unless they had seen it themselves.

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Posted in Readings on July 12, 2005

Readings: Nack

“Whatever the encouraging indicators … those signs of progress are of minor import compared with the elephant in racing’s living room, around which most everyone steps gingerly in various states of denial: drugs at the track.” — From “My Turf,” by William Nack

Posted in Readings on July 5, 2005

Readings: First Bet

“Just as the first way you tell a joke is the right way, the first bet you make is made your way. It’s how you’re meant to bet, before you learn how you’re supposed to bet. You spend the rest of your life trying to recapture it. Or shake it.” — From “Getaway Days,” by Brendan Boyd

Posted in Readings on March 24, 2005

More Reading

Left at the Gate digs up a must-read Charles Bukowski racetrack story.
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Interested in handicapping a different kind of race? The Complete Review is offering a “Punter’s Guide” to the first Man Booker International Prize.

Posted in Readings on February 23, 2005