Fairmount1 Wrote:
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> But as FrankD likes to say, this is the game you
> have chosen to play.

And as I like to say, the best primers on how things work in life are the two "Godfather" movies and "Chinatown," with Frank's comment being lifted from Hyman Roth in G2. When my daughter was sixteen, I urged her to watch all three films with me. Yeah, there's a lot of dicey stuff in there, but I figured she might as well get that initial disillusionment out of the way early. Another quote worth remembering was when Michael told the Senator, "We are both part of the same hypocrisy."

So, why would any sentient being think it would be any different in horse racing? Or if you need another cultural allusion, try "Game of Thrones." Try and find likable characters in that show, other than possibly wishy-washy Jon Snow or wise-ass Tyrion Lannister. How many likable individuals are at the top of this game? We grouse about it, there is some attrition of lifelong players, but most of us persevere against our better judgment. We're all entitled to do one dumb thing in life. I'm well into double figures, but who's counting?