Well, let me tell you, that northern California horse racing, it’s somethin’ else! We used to have a few tracks up this way, you know. The horses, they run like the wind, I tell ya. Fast as lightning, those things. I don’t know all them fancy names like them city folk. But I’ve seen a few races in my time, and it’s a real sight.
They say there’s some big horse race tracks in California, and some are up north, sure enough. I heard there are four tracks now, ain’t many left. They used to be all over the place, like flies on a cow pie. People would come from all around, just to see them horses run. Now, them horses in northern California, they’re the same kind that run down south. Fancy ones with them long names I can’t never remember. They say, they run at Del Mar and Santa Anita, too. Big, important places, I reckon.
I heard folks talkin’ ’bout somethin’ called the “Triple Crown.” Sounds mighty fancy, don’t it? They say it’s three races, and only the young horses, the 3-year-olds, can run. And they gotta run fast, too, ’cause them races are close together. If a horse wins that Kentucky Derby, well, he’s a real winner.
Now, they got different kinds of ground for them horses to run on. One of ’em is called “good 3.” Don’t ask me why they call it that, but it means the ground is a little soft. Easier on the horses’ legs, I suppose. Most horses like that kind of ground, they say. Makes sense, right? Wouldn’t want them to get hurt.
- Horses run fast.
- There used to be lots of tracks.
- Some big races down south.
- “Good 3” is soft ground.
That northern California horse racing, it’s a big deal. There is one place, they call it the “Great Race Place” or something. Santa Anita, that’s it. Folks say it’s the best one in all of California. Got them mountains in the back, real pretty, they say. I ain’t never been, but it sounds nice. Maybe one day I’ll go see it for myself. My old bones could use a little excitement.
Lots of people go to the tracks, used to be more, I reckon. I remember when I was a little girl, my papa used to take me sometimes. We’d see folks bettin’ money on the horses. Some won, some lost. Just like life, I guess. You win some, you lose some. That’s how it goes with horse race tracks in California. Not much different than anywhere else, really. But the horses, they always put on a good show.
Them jockeys, they’re brave little fellers. Ridin’ them big horses, goin’ so fast. I wouldn’t do it, no sir. Too scary for me. But they seem to know what they’re doin’. They got them colorful clothes on, too. Makes it easy to see ’em on the track. I always liked the bright colors. Makes things more cheerful, don’t you think?
They say that there are other kinds of races, too. Not just horses. Up near San Francisco, they got them car races. Never seen one of them, but I hear they’re loud. Real loud. Not my cup of tea, but some folks like it. Different strokes for different folks, as they say. Me, I prefer the horses. They’re quieter, and prettier, too.
Northern California horse racing is good time, I tell you. If you’re lookin’ for somethin’ to do, and them horses are runnin’, might be worth a trip. Just don’t bet the farm on it. There are only four horse race tracks in California now, so you need to check if they still doin’ races. You never know with these things. Could be here today, gone tomorrow. Just like them horses on the track. One minute they’re there, the next they’re gone, runnin’ like the wind.
I reckon there’s lots of information about this stuff. Folks talk about it, write about it. You can find it if you look. I don’t know much about them fancy computers and such, but I hear you can find anything on there. Just gotta know where to look, I suppose. Just like findin’ a good berry patch in the woods. Gotta know where to look to find the sweet ones.
Well, I reckon that’s all I got to say about that northern California horse racing. It’s a whole world out there, that’s for sure. Lots of things I don’t know much about. But I know what I like, and I like them horses. They are pretty to look at, that’s for sure. And when they run, it’s somethin’ special. A real spectacle, like they say. Just like them old days, when the tracks were full and the crowds were roarin’. Good times, good times.
