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I t 1 i 1 A generation ago, pqokies — yes, actual , ciga^-smoking, talking-out-of-the-apde-oftheir-mouths bookies — operated in the open ,at many of the steeplechase meetings, and especially at), the Gold Cup.
(This observer was there when then-Attomey General of Virginia walked past a long line of bookies before stating, “Betting? I didn’t see any betting!”)
Betting was considered a victimless crime, and besides, the ones who were frequenting the bookies were often the pillars of the local communities, so the cops couldn’t nab them.
Finally, however, some over-zealous Commonwealth’s Attorney shut the bunch down right before his re-election, and the meets have been without the benefit of that colorful bunch for 25 years.
(They were so cute in their own way. When my 10-yearold nephew wanted to make his first bet, they gave him the bet for free.)
Nevertheless, the absence of bookies does not necessarily mean that one cannot have a wager on a race. It’s just that you’ll probably have to bet among the group that you’re hanging out with. There are
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