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Baden Baden is famous for two things, spas and horse racing. Friday I was lucky enough to experience half of their luxuries at the Internationale Galopprennen horse races where fine suits and big hats were the standard of the day. High rollers arrived in Mercedes, Porsches, and even helicopters to place their bets on Europe’s finest thoroughbreds.
I had the opportunity to meet one trainer with 30 horses competing, who shared insight about the races (although no hot picks), the training process, and how the horses get prepared for racing. If all goes well, he will be at Churchill Downs for the Breeder’s Cup this November.
Before each race the horses are walked in a show area before the crowd where spectators can size up the competition in order to make an educated decision of who to bet on. Diminutive jockey’s pass through the crowd in colorful attire signing autographs before joining their horses. Gamblers fill out their betting cards then stroll to the booths to slap their money down. There are all sorts of betting options such as betting on a horse to win, place in the top three, or the more complicated route to bet a combination of horses to place first second and third. Small bets are just as welcome as large ones.
Race lengths vary from 1400 meter sprints to 4150 meter marathons. The starting gates are moved accordingly to accommodate the race length.
The excitement of the crowd as a race is about to start is palpable, some even said they got goose bumps as the starting bell rang. Many races were all but clinched until a come from behind rider dashed past the pack on the final straight-away to claim a dramatic victory.
After each race, the horses cool down a bit then trot their rider through the crowd to the winner’s circle where they meet their patrons to receive their prize.
There were many things I learned at the horse races that day, but perhaps the most valuable lesson was that I am a better spectator of the sport than a gambler!
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