Race Track Diary, Entry Number Forty-
seven – Billy Budd’s (Sep 26, 2026)
Introduction
This blog and some following blogs are sections from an informal diary of “visits to the race-track” at a particular time and place, by a person who has followed the races with varying levels of participation over a long period. These relate primarily to some visits to the track and/or off-track betting venues in the 2025 period and onward. They contain observations about the activity, both specific and general. Although these remarks are personal, they also reflect general cultural and historical trends, as they have impacted horse-racing, wagering and culture in general.
The setting is Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (population of about one million plus). However, I imagine that the observations would apply to many places in the world, as they are a reflection of how changing trends in technology, globalization and culture in general have affected this ancient and honourable activity of horse-racing.
For now, I will use what I call “polished point-form” for the narrative.
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47 – Billy Budd’s (Sep 26, 2026)
This Saturday saw another trip to Billy Budd’s for some harness racing action at Woodbine/Mohawk.
It was a decent crowd. I noted to Craig that it was the final weekend before the end of the month, so many people would have received end-of-month cheques, whether employment or post-employment (i.e. pensions). That means a good weekend for pubs and gambling joints.
The wait staff seemed happy to see that a couple of straggling regulars had returned to the fold, with the pretty English waitress favouring us with a bright smile.
Some other regulars were also here, such as “the Chinese guy”, “the excitable guy” and “The Lady Known as Lil”. Lil also had a female friend, who also appeared to be a fairly avid horse player.
At one point, Craig remarked that he was surprised how big the purses could be on harness races at Woodbine, wondering where the money comes from. I replied, “These high-stakes races are magnificent and you should just be glad to be alive at such an amazing time!” Lil cracked up at that, considering it to be a hilarious rejoinder.
The excitable guy was getting angry at losing some races, but settled down after another fellow commiserated about the bad luck he was having too.
There was an NHL hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames, also known as The Battle of Alberta. That also helped to get people into the spirit of the weekend, even though it was a pre-season game and thus wouldn’t count in the standings. Now that the summer was over, hockey was getting back into people’s blood, mine included. The Oilers won quite handily, which made most people happy.
I had a couple of winners from my last outing, which I hadn’t yet cashed in. I did so, though some of the betting machines were acting a bit wonky. That included one of my vouchers being ‘eaten’ by the machine. It was only worth a small amount so I didn’t bother making a fuss, just avoided that machine for the remainder of the evening.
It wasn’t clear to me whether it was a hardware thing or an internet thing – one machine was ‘hanging’, the way computers sometimes do when the internet is glitchy or when there are memory conflicts within the machine itself. I doubted the latter, as these kinds of single-purpose machines shouldn’t be having memory collisions. Craig naturally saw it as a conspiracy to get a few more bucks out of bettors. I blamed it on “vibe-coding.”
I suppose it will remain a mystery.
I have two systems, on optimized for win percentage and the other optimized for return on investment (ROI). I was playing the latter for myself and the former for a nephew who had helped me with a few jobs, in return for that. So I will focus on the ROI system below.
In Race 1, I bet the 7 to win, which also happened to be the choice of the racetrack touts (i.e. those who set the morning line). That horse finished way down the track, though my nephew got a winner, betting the #9 horse.
For Race 2, I picked the #4 horse to win. It finished dead last, going off at 63 to 1, so no surprise there.
In Race 3, I went on the #4 horse to win again. It went off at 53 to 1 and ran a decent race, coming in third. There was no prize to be had, but it is always entertaining to see a long-odds horse that you bet on, coming close.
For Race #4, I picked the #5 horse. It finished well down the track.
I finally got a winner in Race 5, with the #2 horse coming in for a whole $3.00. Its morning line odds were 6 to 5, but it was quickly bet down to odds well below even money. That seems like an odd choice for a ROI system, but statistical modelling can sometimes turn up non-intuitive results. If nothing else, it permitted me to order a beer (my rule is to win a bet before having a beer).
In Race 6, every system liked the #6 horse, my systems and the touts. It did indeed come in first, with a nice kick in the stretch. Once again, the odds were not great, paying $3.70 to win. A couple of 26 to 1 horses came in for place and show, paying a nice amount to Craig, who had the triactor (nearly $700 for each $2 bet).
Race 7 gave me another winner, this time paying a decent price. The #9 horse came in at nearly 5 to 1, paying $11.30 on each $2 bet.
Race 8 came through again, with my #6 horse going wire to wire to win, though at low odds once more ($3.20). But a win is a win and this was four wins in a row, so it would be churlish of me to complain over the price (though I probably did anyway). The heavily touted favourite was scratched, so the second favourite #6 had a huge odds drop from the morning line (6 to 1 to a bit better than 1 to 2). My nephew’s bet also picked up this race.
In Race 9, both of my systems picked the #2 horse, but it was not to be, coming in next to last.
We decided to leave before Race 10, as it was getting dark. I advance bet the #5 horse, which came in first, but only paid $2.80. My nephew’s bet also paid off.
I didn’t bother betting on Race 11 or 12 (for either system). That turned out to be a smart move as non of our picks came through.
In summary, it was a decent day, with my ROI picks hitting on 5 of 10 bet races, profiting at a 20% rate. The nephew didn’t do quite as well, but he did manage to keep most of his money, winning 4 of 10 bet races.
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And here’s an account of some road trips in south-western Alberta:
A Selection of Back-Road Trips Around
Southwest Alberta
There are two main aspects to a road trip: the journey and the destination. Sometimes the trip is all about the journey, sometimes it’s all about the destination. Usually it is a little of both.
This collection of back-roads journeys feature a little bit of both of these aspects. Some accounts are more about the ‘journey’, such as a road trip on scenic Highway 22. Others are more about the ‘destination’, such as the show-jumping at Spruce Meadows. I hope you will enjoy reading some of these accounts and maybe give them a spin for yourself.
Southwest 1 – A Road Trip on Scenic Highway 22
Southwest 2 – The Equestrian Competitions at Spruce Meadows (Calgary)
Southwest 3 – The Bar U Ranch, south of Long View
Southwest 4 – Kananaskis Country
Southwest 5 – Blackfoot Crossing
Southwest 6 – Back-roads, from the Prairies to the Foothills: Brazeau Dam Trip
Southwest 7 – A Back-roads Trip to Hinton and the Forestry Trunk Roads
The reader may wonder “what about the Ice-fields Parkway?” or “where is a visit to Banff?” I would answer, that these famous destinations are covered very nicely by other books. This account is meant to focus on some less travelled areas, thus the “back-roads” descriptor.
I should note that the other three quadrants of Alberta also have a lot of interesting back-roads journeys, but those are material for some other books which will be published in due time.
Amazon U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon U.K: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon Brazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0DCMJP47G
Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DCMJP47G
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The Zoo Hypothesis
We
present a story giving a possible scenario for the so-called Zoo
Hypothesis, an explanation known in Star Trek lore as the Prime
Directive. It’s an explanation sometimes given to account for a
mystery in the Search for Intelligent Life, known as The Great
Silence, or Fermi’s Paradox.
Basically, Enrico Fermi argued (quite convincingly, to many observers), that there had been ample time for an alien intelligence to colonize the galaxy since its formation, so where are they? The Zoo Hypotheses says that they are out there, but have cordoned off the Earth from contact, until we are sufficiently evolved or culturally advanced to handle the impact of alien contact.
This story takes a humorous tongue in cheek approach to that explanation. It also features dogs and sly references to Star Trek. Talk about man’s Best Friend.
It is only 99 cents U.S., equivalent price in other currencies. It is also available on Kindle Unlimited and is sometimes on a free promotion.
Amazon U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon Brazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B076RR1PGD
Amazon India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B076RR1PGD
A Selection of Back-Road Trips Around
Southeast Alberta
There are two main aspects to a road trip: the journey and the destination. Sometimes the trip is all about the journey, sometimes it’s all about the destination. Usually it is a little of both.
This collection of back-roads journeys feature a little bit of both of these aspects. Some accounts are more about the ‘journey’, such as Drumheller, via the Backroads of Central Alberta. Others are more about the ‘destination’, such as the Viking Ribstones. The collection even includes a train trip, on the historic Alberta Prairie Railroad, which strictly speaking isn't a back-road trip but rather a back rail-road trip. I hope you will enjoy reading some of these accounts and maybe give them a spin for yourself.
Southeast 1 – Stettler Train Trip – Living History on the Alberta Prairie Railway
Southeast 2 – Viking Rib Stones – Indigenous Heritage and Tradition
Southeast 3 – Drumheller, via the Backroads of Central Alberta
Southeast 4 – Cypress Hills – An Island on the Prairie that Escaped the Ice Age
Southeast 5 – On the Road with Bronco Billy, A Trucking Journal – Southern Alberta Section
Southeast 6 – A Back-road Trip to Bittern Lake and Lake Miquelon Provincial Park
Southeast 7 – A Back-roads Trip to Rochon Sands, Buffalo Lake Provincial Park
The reader may wonder “what about the Tyrell Dinosaur Fossil Museum?” or “where is a visit to the Calgary Stampede?” I would answer, that these famous destinations are covered very nicely by other books. This account is meant to focus on some less travelled areas, thus the “back-roads” descriptor.
I should note that Southwest and Northern Alberta also have a lot of interesting back-roads journeys, but that is material for some other books. The southwest collection is available now on Amazon, the northern excursions will be published in due course.
Just $1.99 on Amazon, or free if you have Kindle Unlimited. It is also periodically on free promotion.
Amazon U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon U.K: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon Brazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DCWCCTKC
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A Dark Horse
In “A Dark Horse”, a gambler’s desire to hit a big win seems to lead him to make a Faustian bargain with a supernatural evil. Or is it all just a string of unnaturally good luck?
The story is just $0.99 U.S. (equivalent in other currencies) and about 8000 words. It is also available on Kindle Unlimited and is occasionally on free promotion.
U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
Brazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MDMY2BR
Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01M9BS3Y5
Here’s an interesting review from Goodreads
(BTW, the writer has never met the reviewer and was not even aware of the review until very recently – You can look up the review on Goodreads, if you like)
A Dark Horse
Every gambler is
bound to run out of luck eventually, right?
By far my
favourite type of horror is psychological horror. I was quite pleased
with how Mr. Olausen frightened his audience without spilling a
single drop of blood or so much as hinting at anything gory. He knew
exactly what hints to drop for us that made us deliciously dread the
next scene simply by throwing out hints about who or what the dark
horse might actually represent. This is the kind of stuff I love
getting scared by, especially as Halloween approaches.
It
would have been helpful to have more character development in this
short story. While I certainly wouldn’t expect to see as much time
spent on this as I would for a full-length novel, I did have trouble
connecting to the main characters due to how little I knew about them
and how much their personalities seemed to remain the same no matter
what happened to them. If not for this issue, I would have felt
comfortable choosing a much higher rating as the plot itself was well
done.
I must admit to not knowing much about gambling at
all, so I appreciated the brief explanations the narrator shared
about how placing bets works and why some people have so much trouble
walking away from a bet. While I will leave it up to experts on these
topics to say how accurate everything was, I did enjoy learning more
about the main character’s addiction and what he hoped to gain from
betting on just one more game or race. It gave me a stronger sense of
empathy for folks in his position.
A Dark Horse – A
Gothic Tale was a deliciously chilling story for the Halloween season
and beyond.
