Dad was sitting at the table with the racing form guide in front of him.
This was a Saturday ritual at our place.
He’d study the lists of races, select the horses he thought were worth betting on, fill out his betting slips and I’d take them to our local betting shop and set it all in motion.
During the afternoon with the television set on the racing channel he would sit and watch each race.
It was often worth the while to sit with him and watch his reaction as each race finished.
If he won he would have a smug look on his face, he’d write down the amount he’d won and fold that betting slip up ready for use the next week.
If he lost, he’d draw a cross on the slip and throw it to one side.
At the end of the afternoon I would ask him if he was in front or behind.
So often he was behind and would look up at me and say: It’s a hard game.
Written for: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/fffaw-week-of-06-17-2015/
Morpethroad 
Great story Michael! I think that says it all, “so often he was behind and would look up at me and say: It’s a hard game.” Sounds like he lost more than he won.
Well Joy the nature of the game is that you are not meant to win….
That is true!
Those simple rituals form lovely memories of those dear to us. Lovely story Michael.
Thank you so much. Such things are worth remembering.
Indeed.
That’s the voice of experience Dell? Have a good day.
And you as well–I’m off to dream land.
Good night from me as well. 10.30pm
Sweet sleep!
I never did try the horses; I have enough bad luck with the lottery. Nicely written memory, Michael.
Nice to spend time with your dad. A nice insight into his character/personality.
Thank you. As he aged I took over the horse race selections and so it became a blind leading the blind situation. Our biggest success was the day I went to put his bets on and one horse was scratched from a race so I substituted another number. That horse won at 100/1 and I knew then that luck was the only way you might ever win.
All “games of chance” come down to luck. 100/1 odds — hope you bet a good sum of money!
He took quinellas where you try and pick first and second
That’s tough. Here people often bet on Trifectas.
I’m lucky if I predict which horse will win each leg of the Triple Crown.
Love that last sentence, so profound.
Thank you Jess so profound and so true.
What a truly beautiful story, it’s the little things that make up a lifetime of memories.