May 27, 2017
SPORTS BUZZ
No horsin’ around to be had... wanna bet?
CLAREMORE, Okla. – We
gave you a sniff of what’s
coming in the horse racing
world this spring in our April
issue, but May is the big deal.
Folks getting ready to look
spiffy for the season. But now
the real deal is upon us and
we’ve got the beginner’s
guide on what you need to
know.
First, Will Rogers Downs in
Claremore is the perfect
place to be seen in all your
finery, place a few bets,
have a mint julep and enjoy
a nice dinner at Dog Iron
Saloon. With 100 simulcast
TVs, 2,700 grandstand seats
and 250 electronic games,
you are sure to be tickled
pink with all there is to do.
You can also wear your
baseball hat, cut-offs and
tee-shirt while you sit on
a lawn chair outside your
RV and drink beer. They
don’t judge. Just be kind to
other guests. Thoroughbred
racing season at WRD ends
in May, so get in there and
play. WRD is also the perfect
place to get your early
education into horse racing.
They race horses regularly
and the fine folks at WRD
can help you get your smarts
up on how it’s done. More at
www.cherokeecasino.com/
will-rogers-downs/the-races.
Need a little getaway? What
about a trip to Oaklawn
42
|
Racing in Hot Springs, Ark.?
With horse tracks, casinos,
gaming and all the amenities
that come with it, you are
sure to find something to
entertain, no matter your
budget or tastes. There are
plenty of hotels nearby and
food right on the grounds,
so park the car and enjoy
all Oaklawn has to offer the
weary traveler. Get details
from www.oaklawn.com.
Don’t have the first clue how
to bet on the ponies? We’ve
made a primer to get you
started (if you are sweating
or drooling, stop reading
and get to a Gambler’s
Anonymous meeting now).
Some words to the wise:
bring only the amount of
money you are willing to lose
and leave your credit cards,
debit card, check book at
home. We’re also gonna
suggest that you dress in
layers for the weather, and
wear a hat and sunscreen.
Place your bets
There are two types of
wagers: exotic and straight,
for now, stick to straight
wagers (you are picking
your fave horse to place
first, second or third). The
minimum bet is usually $2
each. Straight wagers are
win, place or show. ‘Win’
means your horse comes in
first place, ‘place’ means
www.thecurrentbuzz.net
you think your horse will
come in first or second, and
‘show’ means you think
your horse will come in first,
second or third place. You
can choose to bet that your
horse win, place AND show;
this bet is called ‘across the
board’ and it is three bets (so
costs $6). You are selecting
one horse and hoping for
it to come in first because
you get three payouts. This
is a high-risk bet, and you’ll
be surprised how fast your
six dollar increments can
disappear. You can also
choose any two of the three
straight wagers.
An exotic wager is multiple
bets on many horses. As
your knowledge of racing
and horses improves, you’ll
be better able to bet on
multiple ponies and you’ll
know your handicaps. Until
then, wear your best and
brightest hat with pride.
Rodeos for May:
Rodeo Miami: May 5-6,
1129 E St SW, Miami.
www.visitmiamiok.com,
(918) 542-4435
Hugo PRCA Rodeo: May
31-June3, Fairgrounds,
Hugo, www.hugoproro
deo.com, (580) 372-1730
Jim Shoulders Spring
Round-Up Rodeo: June
2-3, Nichols Park,
Henryetta, www.cityof
henryetta.org,
(918) 652-3331
4-Way Rodeo: June
2-3, Mayes County
Fairgrounds, Pryor,
www.4wayrodeo.com,
(918) 637-5603
101 Wild West Rodeo:
June 8-10, 101 Rodeo
Grounds, Ponca City,
www.101wildwestrodeo.
com, (580) 765-3311
Breeder’s Invitational
Tulsa Expo Square
Tulsa, OK
ROCKLAHOMA
Pryor, OK
Peruvian Horse Show
Stephens County Fair
& Expo Center
Duncan, OK
Buckin’ Wild Music Fest
Lost Creek Ranch
Erick, OK
Mayor’s Red Dirt Ball
Town Center Main
Stage
Medicine Park, OK
Celebration of Freedom
General Tommy
Franks Leadership
Institute
Medicine Park, OK
T
Wheels on Western
The Lobby Café & Bar
OKC, OK
Cement’s 115th
Birthday Celebration
Downton Cement, OK
Backwoods Country
Music Show
The Centre Theatre
El Reno, OK
Route 66 Patriotfest
Tulsa, OK
(
B
R.K. Gun & Knife Show
Tulsa Expo Square
Tulsa, OK
Clinton Route 66
Festival
Downtown Clinton,
OK
Tour De Meers
Meers Volunteer Fire
Department Station
Meers, OK
Bethany 66 Festival
Bethany, OK
Chuck Wagon
Gathering &
Children’s Cowboy
Festival
National Cowboy
& Western Heritage
Museum
OKC, OK B
Paseo Arts Festival
Paseo Arts District
OKC, OK