[mick]

I've just returned from 3 days at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's an old track founded in 1904 but thoroughly modernized. The weather was mild, the sun was shining and the quality of racing very good, if somewhat unpredictable.

I lost $65 for the three days and all the damage was done on the last race on Saturday (yesterday). I was in deep on the late double, had hit the first leg and had half the field covered in the second leg. Needless to say, I didn't have enough coverage. "Bad Student" won at 10-1 and there went my double. Heck, I wouldn't have bet that horse with my ex-wife's money. Regardless, it was a good time.

There's a lot of history in Hot Springs. It was a big baseball spring training town back in the 20's and 30's. There's a marker on the sidewalk listing all the major league greats who played the ponies at Oaklawn. Not the easiest place to get to - seven hours driving from Nashville - but worth the trip.

Next month, it's back to my first love, Keeneland.