The Best of Advice...
Back in the day, well actually the days before I was even around, my dad had a racehorse.
He said the horseracing game was definitely a learning experience, and they don't call it the sport of kings for nothing. He kept the horse at a cousin of his' stables and my dad's horse was the only one that won anything so he was about the only paying customer and they milked him for plenty.
Anyway... along the way he met a lot of colorful people.
One day before a race, he was visiting with a fellow named Rube. While they were talking, the jockey came up to Rube and asked him... "How do you want me to ride your horse?"
Dad told me that as he'd be around the various owners or trainers, they'd all try to give the jockey some jewel of wisdom about their pony. "Start him out fast, then let him rest a bit, and then when you get to the last hundred, give him what fer!" or "He's a closer so don't use him up too fast."
Everyone had just the key to winning, if only the jockey'd listen and perform as tasked.
The Jockey looked at Rube and my dad said this was an exact quote of the instructions that Rube gave him. He looked him straight in the eye and said, "Take the lead and steadily improve your position."
My dad admitted to me that this was the best advice he'd ever heard on the track.
****************************
Today's mystery lyric: (Remember the rules folks, no online searching of the lyrics, if you don't know it, you don't have the answer!)
Do you think that you are better
really better than the rest
realize there's a problem
I know that you can give your best
Answer to last lyric: Toledo by BTO.
He said the horseracing game was definitely a learning experience, and they don't call it the sport of kings for nothing. He kept the horse at a cousin of his' stables and my dad's horse was the only one that won anything so he was about the only paying customer and they milked him for plenty.
Anyway... along the way he met a lot of colorful people.
One day before a race, he was visiting with a fellow named Rube. While they were talking, the jockey came up to Rube and asked him... "How do you want me to ride your horse?"
Dad told me that as he'd be around the various owners or trainers, they'd all try to give the jockey some jewel of wisdom about their pony. "Start him out fast, then let him rest a bit, and then when you get to the last hundred, give him what fer!" or "He's a closer so don't use him up too fast."
Everyone had just the key to winning, if only the jockey'd listen and perform as tasked.
The Jockey looked at Rube and my dad said this was an exact quote of the instructions that Rube gave him. He looked him straight in the eye and said, "Take the lead and steadily improve your position."
My dad admitted to me that this was the best advice he'd ever heard on the track.
****************************
Today's mystery lyric: (Remember the rules folks, no online searching of the lyrics, if you don't know it, you don't have the answer!)
Do you think that you are better
really better than the rest
realize there's a problem
I know that you can give your best
Answer to last lyric: Toledo by BTO.
posted by LL at 10:46 PM
33 Comments:
I guess it's better then just saying, "win, dummy" but I've never watched a race where the front runner around the first bend came in at the wire. The only exceptions seem to be when the track is a mess. The odds on favorites don't want to chance their ponies in the mud, so the long shots usually take the prize. And that's my advice on horse racing.
NYPinTA's first line has it. I don't know the song again. I SUCK AT THIS.
You know LL, that is so true! In our lives, we should all be striving to improve ourselves~and our environment, our world.
Never ever...quit learning and trying! Be the best you can be and then some...while maintaining genuine respect for yourself, others and all the gifts on earth.
(if I'm not misreading you, your Dad's lived his life with that great advice...and passed it forward, right?)
Have you ever read Dick Francis? I love his books, but I have never been to a horse race, nor do I care to. They're a fun read, just in case...you know, winter's coming, so you'll be lazing by the fire. ;-)
I don't even try with the lyrics since even if I know the song I wouldn't be able to come up with it. I need the music.
Reminds me of the only advice my husband ever gives me: "Just don't f- up and you'll do great."
That advice applies to more than just horse racing...
I never know your song lyrics.
Proof that "there are no stupid questions" is a LIE. Although sometimes, stupid answers can be brilliant too.
Absolutley! THat is a wise man. I'll bet the jockey had to think on that for awhile.
Growing up my dad always said "I don't belive in Murder, but I believe in Killin people"
I never understood what that meant, as a kid. You can bet I understand now. If people would just stop and really listen, this world would be a lot better off.
it is a woman singer with a sultry or scratchy voice. I can hear the song in my head! Grrrr. I mean you could post a few more words of the song, eth?
Little did I know I would find such profoundness here. The Terrorist (my dad) is much like "magnetbabe" in his advice. Gets the point across quite nicely.
Some moron played Jingle Bells yesterday on the radio so, until that's out of my head, I cannot do the lyrics question. Damn.
I love your icon!
I would love for your blog to be a part of blog4reel.com – the world’s first blog-to-film competition. It’s free! All u do is link this blog to blog4reel.com for a chance to win 2,000!
– Kimberly (co-creator)
Do you have a prize for the person that names the song to your obscure lyrics?
What's in it for us???
Yes I got your 2nd email, I had to get it out of my "junk" folder. You better check yours, sounds like that's where my response ended up! I emailed you when you were commenting.
P - These were mostly quarter horse races. They just ran the length of the front stretch so there really was no first bend.
Beth - You need to start listening to a better batch of music then. ;)
WOW - Erm... yeah. I'm sure that's what he meant all along. :P
Kath - nope... no Dick Francis. And you too need to listen to a better class of music.
Dr. Babe - I'm gonna have to start a book on wise ol' sayings such as that one.
fermi - So you can use that in the nuclear imaging world too?
MRS. Tink - Somehow that doesn't have the same ring to it that Lady Loser would, but... congrats anyway. There are a few stupid questions too...
TW - Dad said the jockey just smiled and walked away. And that saying needs to go into the book too.
JennyLu - Ayup... female lead singer, scratchy voice, but if I posted more words... that'd make it too easy, no?
Deb - Sorry to hear about your jingle bells... you should really get them looked at by a professional.
Kim - SURE! I'M IN!!! Send me the cash in small unmarked bills and the link is all yours.
TOY - damn... hoist on my own petard... erm... I mean... whazzamatta? Don't know the answer and so you have to deflect now? ;P You get the adulation of your peers around here and know that next time I'll really pull one out of the depths to try and stump you.
The best advice I've read lately is too dirty to print here. And I'm not sure it's technically advice.
Heh - sage advice, if the pony's willing.
No clue on the lyrics. None.
I listen to good music. I just, I don't know, I stay in my loop and then if I hear something I like, I don't buy the album. I like old Motown and some classic rock. Some 90's bands too. Yeah, I do need to get more music in my life. You're right.
Pppphhhffftttt!!!! I have good music posted at my blog right now. ;-)
LL I tagged you on my 4th picture post
Hello, Are you out huntin a tom? Are you gathering cattle? Are you ok? Well Happy Thanksgiving to you. Where ever you are...
Also, if the horse doesn't perform, you can eat it.
And a full grown horse will fill your freezer feeding you for months!
Mm. Salty.
Hey LL? were you having trouble with blogger? Couldn't get your blog to load for past 1/2 day!
Just checking in making sure you got that big ol Tom for the family feast!
I can picture you out snaking thru the brush...gobble, gobble....gobble, gobble..
Oops..that's what you're going to do tomorrow! Gobble, Gobble!
Fill up the ol' belly!
Have a great Thanksgiving neighbor...
...and thanks for not calling me "long in the tooth" the other day! I might have had to virtually smack you had you ventured that trail. ;)
Happy turd day, I mean turkey day
It's December. Here's some advice: post.
Hey...thought you were supposed to be at the NFR??
Yep! Cookin' again! For some very APPRECIATIVE people this time around & NOT the kind of sweetbreads you are talking about!
I s'pose you like them huh?
Melaine? for the song
Post? Yeah... I could... hmmm... maybe I'll post a clip from YouTube without anything else...
Of Course I like Sweet Breads WOWie... Who doesn't?
Good guess JennyLu! Wrong, but good guess nevertheless.
You could post some Adam Ant videos...
fermi! Don't encourage him!
A video is still more than you've got up. Slacker.
I'm with Fermi and NYPinTa...you could post a little more often than every four weeks.
WHen I least expect it huh? Will you be flying in , in your private jet? Landing in our pasture? Cuz I would least expect you there. YYou ditched me didn't you? Uh huh I see how it is. All talk...I was even wearing boots, the whole time!Did you make it to Vegas?
:ewink:
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