Gambling versus entertainment, drawing the line

The past few months featured some job uncertainty for me, and I left one place of employment to begin a new opportunity at another. During the stress of this transition, I theorized (am really good at self-delusion...) that turning handicapping into a part-time job could be a benefit to myself and my family. Well, after a couple months of researching and trying different things, I have come to the conclusion that I may be too emotional to do this properly. Somebody needs to be a machine to play a system, because a good one will always be counter-intuitive, and I'm likely not that guy.

I will keep studying standardbred breeding and racing with a passion, however I am taking some time off from actually betting on the races. Before my kids were born I went several times a month, and then after that usually only a few times per year. As my kids got older over the past decade, I started going to the track with my dad more often, and all of that will continue, love going to the races with family.

The thing that has changed is the web. Before, you either had to go to the track or to a Champions, whereas with the Internet, you can play every day from home, and that can be a time and money gobbler.

Gotta take a break...

Leafs "C" Dion Phaneuf endorses PEI harness racing

In an interview with Dan Loiselle at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, the Maple Leafs new captain had nothing but praise for PEI's vibrant and growing standardbred breeding and racing industry.

Phaneuf said that he spends a good deal of his offseason on PEI, and that means time at some of the harness racing industry's most historic locations.

"I go to the races quite a bit actually there (PEI) with my grandfather when he's back on the island," explained Phaneuf, who also stated that he has attended the heralded Gold Cup and Saucer.

"It's a fun night out to see them (the horses) race. I go to both tracks there, Summerside and Charlottetown. I've been to the big races there, too. They do a great job down there. They have a good track in Charlottetown. There's good racing down there."


Link to Standardbred Canada article on Dion Phaneuf and harness racing


Prince Edward Island links:

New Glasgow PEI Lobster Suppers

CDP Horse Racing / Red Shores Casino PEI

Summerside Raceway PEI

Aiden's Deep Sea PEI Fishing Charters

Cavendish Beach PEI