Race Track Diary, Entry Number Forty-

eight – Billy Budd’s (Oct 3, 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.

======================================================================

48 – Billy Budd’s (Oct 3, 2026)
- This Saturday saw another trip to Billy Budd’s for some harness racing action at Woodbine/Mohawk, though it was to be another solo trip, as my brother was otherwise occupied at this time.
- It was a long day of food shopping and hospital visiting, so I was feeling rather tired. Maybe a slight cold was coming on. But ultimately, I decided that I might as well go out and bet a few races, have a pizza and a beer or two. That turned out to be a good decision.
- There weren’t too many people left in the horse-race area, just Lil and a couple of older gents.
- Lil did me the kindness of picking my jacket off the floor later (it had slipped off of the chair), even tucking it in nicely.
- I overheard one old guy talking about Canadian Bill winning the Canadian Derby, way back in the day (late 70s or early 80s). A friend of mine had bet that horse and won at huge odds. We were barely out of high school. Good times.
- Craig’s old friend Teddy dropped in to make a few quick bets and we chatted for a while. He was surprised to see me betting alone. I explained that my brother Craig couldn’t make it tonight, so I decided to go bet the buckets alone, rather than sit around at home doing nothing. He nodded in agreement. He noticed that I was having a beer, saying “You’re an Olausen alright.” We talked for a bit about family matters, then he left saying “meeting people is part of the game.”
- On his way out, Teddy waved at one of the older guys in attendance, saying “Hi Joe!”. I was tempted to shout out “Hey Joe, where you going with that gun in your hand?”, but I refrained from doing so.
- The pub area was somewhat busy, since there was a regular season Oilers hockey game on tonight. The local team had done alright in its first two games, outscoring its opponent in some high-scoring games. That said, the defence and goal-tending had been pretty bad. So people were keyed up to see how the team would do in this third game.
- I periodically checked to see how the game was developing out of curiosity – I had no money on the game. But, naturally my main focus was on the bucket-pullers at Woodbine/Mohawk.
- So, without further ado, let’s get to it. As previously, I was betting two systems in parallel, by WPct system and my ROI system. The ROI system was my “official” scorekeeper for the night, though. I was betting the other system for my nephew as payback for some work that he had helped me with:
  - I missed Race 1. My notes say “I probably got that one!” However, my pick, the #10 horse came in third, so it was just as well that I missed betting it.
  - For Race 2, I bet the #5 horse, which led throughout the race but was nipped in the stretch – it was a bit of a heart-beater of a race. The winner was a 10 to 1 longshot, named Totally Tyler. That is my brother Craig’s son’s name, so he would have undoubtedly bet it, had he come to the races this night.
  - In Race 3, I bet the #5 horse again. It finished well back. However, my nephew’s system got the winner, the #6 horse, which paid $12.30 to win. So, there was that. In the hockey game, the Oilers took a 1-0 lead.
  - For Race 4, I bet the #8 horse, but the #6 came in to win again. My horse managed a third place finish. The winner went off at extremely low odds (it won easily), so the place and show bets didn’t pay much.
  - I finally got a winner in Race 5, the #7 horse, though at a ridiculous price of $2.40 to win. A couple of real long-shots came in place and show, but their prices were cut down by the victory of the low-odds favourite. But, at least it was a beer-bet.
  - In Race 6, I bet the #6, which came in well down the track. However, my nephew’s pick came in, the #4 horse, paying $6.90 to win. It ran a good race, with a big burst of speed in mid-race.
  - Race 7 was a loser from both systems and for the touts. For some reason, no system liked the #6, though it only paid $5.70 to win, so someone must have known something. It had a huge odds drop, from 5 to1 in the morning line to about 1 to 2 by race time.
  - For Race 8, both of my systems and the touts got the winner (the #4 horse). But it was a pretty obvious pick, so it only paid $3.00 to win. The hockey game was now tied at 1-1.
  - In Race 9, I finally got a winner at a decent price, the #4 horse, paying $8.40 to win. My pick won a duel with the #5 horse, which was favoured by my other system. The Oilers Leon Draisaitl scores to take the lead.
  - In Race 10, my pick (#8) comes in third. However, my nephew’s pick (#4) wins.
  - For Race 11, I picked the #4 horse, which came in to win, paying a very decent $10.70 while doing so. It was being challenged for a while, but dug in to win. Meanwhile, the Oilers got an empty net goal.
  - Race 12 gave me another winner, the #5 horse, paying $5.20 to win. The Oilers win the game 3-1. Could it be that they finally have a reliable goalie?
- In summary, it was a decent day, with my ROI picks hitting on 5 of 11 bet races, profiting at a 35% rate. The WPct system hit on 5 of 10 races (passed on one, missed one being late), with a similar profit rate. Having said that, it was the ROI system that I was using for evaluative purposes.
  =================================================================

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

=============================================================

The Trials of the Time Travellers

The novel version of The Magnetic Anomaly is now available on Amazon (ebook, print version, also audible version soon to come).

Summary

This novella is inspired by the book by H.G. Wells titled The Time Machine, a 21st century update and variation of that story.

Two American university professors are accidentally sent on a journey through time, while researching an obscure reference to H.G. Wells and Nikola Tesla. The reference indicates a possible collaboration by those two geniuses on a true Time Machine. The unlucky time travelers wind up trapped in a society that suits neither of them. As a result, their behaviors and activities land them in serious trouble; trouble that leads to them facing a trial that threatens to their demise.

Like the original novel by Wells, this is a speculative work on time travel, with some commentary of a social nature included. But above all, it is meant to be an enjoyable read, with some romance and adventure, as well as engaging characters (the same could be said of the Wells book, for the most part).

Like The Time Machine, it is about 35,000 words, so can be read within a few hours.

Amazon:

U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX34NMS5

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX34NMS5

Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0GX34NMS5

Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0GX34NMS5

Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0GX34NMS5

France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0GX34NMS5

Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0GX34NMS5

Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0GX34NMS5

Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0GX34NMS5

Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0GX34NMS5

Brazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B0GX34NMS5