Word of advice: Want good weather for a night at the track? Hope that my friend Brad isn't there.
You see, I was going to be in London on Friday night for the Molson Pace. Brad lives in London. He joined me and a friend of ours, Jason for the night.
Nearly two years ago, the three of us were part of a group that went to Grand River one Friday night. The skies opened up after (I think) the third race and the card was eventually washed out. Only the third time in Grand River history that's happened.
Fast forward to last Friday. Things were looking good as Jason and I headed west on the 401, then as we approached the track the clouds started to appear. By the time we got to the track, it was pouring. Should I thank Brad for the 90 minute rain delay?
Perhaps. But he's not the only Brad I should be thanking.
As we're looking over the horses for Race 4, my friend Brad notices that the name on the seven horse is Lucky Brad L. Brad's last name starts with L. It's fate, he thought. I advised him that the L is for a medication named Lasix and not part of the horse's name. It didn't deter him. Off to the teller he went, and after the race he came back richer as Lucky Brad (the horse) finished second giving my friend Brad his first winning pick of the night.
Winners were scarce for our group until later that night. In the Molson Pace I recommended going for some value, avoiding Foiled Again. My horses: Stormaway and Lucky Man - with last week's Lucky Brad, Brad Forward, driving. We bet, we won, we cashed out and we left with our heads held high and pockets fuller than when we arrived.
Maybe I should have hunch bet all night on names. Maybe next time I invite Brad to the races, I'll bring a bigger umbrella and wear quick-dry clothing.
(Thanks to Ian, Jan, Kelly, Darlene, Frank and everyone at WFR for a great night.)
