The ‘Sport of Kings’ is open to every man

By John Sapochetti the Wertheimer brothers can experience.

In fact, I am one of those every man schlubs who dipped his toe into the vast waters of thoroughbred racing. Back in 1991, me and four friends put up $1,000 each to purchase a $5,000 claiming horse named “Judge Bowman” from a track in Florida.

Investing in a horse is a risk, and our tale underscores that fact. Our undersized gelding contacted pneumonia on the van ride from Florida to New Hampshire. The infection shelved “Judge Bowman” for four months. At a cost of $1,200 per month to train and feed him, each partner was out $2,000 before the “Judge” ran his first race at Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire.

Still proud nonetheless, I journeyed from Greater Boston to the Granite State to see our horse run. Watching this gutty gelding run was truly exhilarating. However, it was apparent that dealing with pneumonia, weight loss and a long layoff was too much to overcome.

Back to back 4th place finishes led to our decision to retire him and send him to a farm in Maine, where he spent the final decade of his life.

As a single man with no children, I am not ashamed to say that watching “Judge Bowman” race twice was something I will never forget.

Although he was just a $5,000 claiming horse, I can understand and appreciate the thrill that owners and trainers feel when their horse enters the starting gate and races for the finish line.

Over the next eight weeks, horse lovers will cheer for horses of all shapes, sizes and pedigree. But not many will realize that the owners aren’t all millionaires with various investments, but come from various backgrounds and tax brackets.

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