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| "Win, Place, Show" by Paul Kehrer on flickr. |
Horse racing is distinct from other sporting events. From its fans to the atmosphere surrounding it, this gentleman's pastime has an air of class and sophistication that is lacking in other sports. For example, the men who attend the Queen's Plate (on this Sunday) or the Kentucky Derby tend to dress far better than those who attend the FIFA World Cup. While gentleman tend to dress for fashion and style at the horse races, they dress for comfort at other sporting events. Which men look better and attract more admiring glances? The answer is obvious. A well-dressed man is always held in higher regard, and it's difficult or impossible to find a well-dressed man at an ice hockey game. Horse racing provides a sexier atmosphere thanks in part to all those sharply dressed men and their stylish female counterparts with their high-heeled shoes and outlandishly fabulous hats.
Despite the elegance of the fans in the stands, horse racing has the unique ability to bring people from all walks of life together thanks to a shared passion. Even the richest horse breeder and the humblest farm hand who mucks out the stalls are bound by a common goal. Horse racing is a very social sport whose fans can socialize virtually or in person. These fans are among the most passionate in the sports world, and there is never a dull moment when they get together to discuss the sport. In addition, fans can often enter race tracks without an entrance fee and are not required to spend any money to enjoy the sport. Betting, of course, is optional and should be enjoyed only by those who can afford to lose.
Horse racing is truly an international phenomena, and it is just as popular in Europe as it is in North America. Thanks to its ubiquitous nature, there is always an exciting horse race somewhere to be analyzed and enjoyed. For people who take pleasure in facts and figures, there are plenty of statistics to be memorized and outcomes to predict based on a variety of factors. Handicapping and other statistical information is easily available online. It is truly a statistician's dream, and a great way to exercise the grey matter. Horse races also provide an excellent way to build memories that will last a lifetime. No one ever forgets his first time attending the Kentucky Derby or the Queen's Plate. Even the horses have memorable names. For example, in 2012, the 153rd Queen's Plate contenders include Prince Raphael, Ultimate Destiny and Making Amends. The Queen's Plate has been a Canadian institution since 1860 and features three-year-olds foaled in Canada that race for the possible honor of winning the prestigious Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. The Triple Crown is awarded when a single horse wins all three races in the event.
For the gentleman who enjoys the finer things in life such as horse racing and luxury leather goods, Ettinger offers deluxe wallets that safely hold everything from credit cards to betting slips.
