Curly:

I am 51 and have been working for a living for 30 years and going to the track for 30 years. I have enjoyed the track more than anything in my life, loved it so much I spent 8 years working on the backstretch before my back started aching and I got tired of people telling me I was mucho loco for waking up at 5 AM seven days a week.

The friends I made at the track are the friends I have kept for life.

My opinion is that a large majority of the people who say betting thoroughbred racing can ever be a consistent source of income have one thing in common-- they are slightly delusional. The best source of additional income I have found is to work extra jobs or extra hours. Not so romantic or exciting, but slightly more realistic.

The TG data is top notch when used in conjunction with DRF's data. The people at TG, from TGJB on down are knowledgeable and willing to share their knowledge. The Saratoga seminars are tremendous because the TG guys stay near the Carolina Cue throughout the racing day and are available to discuss the races throughout the day. The TG board is a good source of information if you can filter through a lot of the dicta and dross.

I think my best advice be to a fellow who wants to utilize thoroughbred racing as a source of income is to isolate the types of wagers or the types of races you have a comfort level with, and put most of your efforts into those races. Some of us love turf racing, while a certain prolific poster currently on his yearly summer hiatus probably never bets a turf race. Steve Crist is on record as saying he hopes NYRA never writes another turf sprint, echoing the sentiments of a poster on the Rag board who uses the name of a malodorous musical momma of days gone by.

The bottom line is that less is more. If you are an action guy who needs to bet the entire card I have little hope for your survival.

If you take Marcus up on his offer, make sure he takes you to Defontes, especially on a Friday. Bet the cold exacta-- 1/3 loaf potato and egg, 1/3 loaf shrimp with red gravy.