South Beach Goes To The Races!

So we have this great group of friends here in South Beach.  We all enjoy the same thing:  going out at the end of the day to an outside bar or hut to socialize, maybe have a drink and/or a bit to eat.
Thru repetition...and frequenting the same places over and over again, and seeing the same faces, we have all become friends.

One of our friends, has a horse called "Longstocking," and I had always heard of this horse, and wanted to go see the horse, but as I live on "the beach" with no car, as many do here (we don't need or want one!), I knew it was going to take planning to get up and go to the Gulfstream Racetrack in Hallandale Beach, FL!

So yesterday it happened! Last minute I found out that a bunch of us were going to support our friend, and his horse, Longstocking!  We all got there thru our own resources! I was invited to ride in an Uber Deluxe with a girlfriend and her husband.

Turned out, we each had to eat and/or drink $35...which we all found to be no problem!  We all placed a couple small bets on races leading up to the big one (For us), #9, where Longstocking was #2 with 10 to 1 odds!

Funny thing is, that just after the above picture was taken, and I had just gotten finished saying the last time that I had been to this racetrack was with my father, when he was visiting, and right then, I got a text from my Dad saying: (I had not heard from him in a couple days):

 "Trace, all okay? What are you doing?"

No joke! My Dad and I have a special connection that spans thru the 

different countries where we live!

First we all went out in front of the Racetrack to the grounds where the horses and their jockeys walk, and we were able to meet Longstocking's jockey, and check out the odds of the horse.

Next, right before the race, we got a seat comfortably outside, so we could easily view the racing horses.

Finally, it was time for the 9th race!  And Longstocking took 2nd!! So, since all of us bet at least for her to win, place or show, we were ALL WINNERS!! 

And, understandably SUPER happy...especially the small group who had recently invested in Longstocking!

A super fun day for all!! Who says we never leave "the beach!?"