I'll be honest, I never met a vice I didn't like ... and betting on the ponies is no exception. Of course, it helps that I've always been lucky. And, I started at the top too - my first trip to the track was Churchill Downs. The year was 1987 and I'd just lost my job. I had been working on a trading desk at a brokerage firm that ultimately went out of business as a result of the crash. So what's a Diva to do? Why set off in a rented RV with 8 or 9 of her closest friends and spend the weekend at the Kentucky Derby! I won every race I bet that day and made enough money to tide me over until the next job rolled around two weeks later.
On my first visit to Belmont Park, I won the first six races in a row and walked away with more than $600 ... all made on $2 bets. Sweet. At the time, we joked that I should quit my job and just set up shop at Belmont.
So naturally, I woke up on Saturday morning and decided we needed to throw and impromptu Preakness Party. I called a few friends, made a trip to Fairway and got busy in the kitchen. I turned the remains of those Pork Burritos with Escabeche Slaw into some fantastic quesadillas, whipped up a batch of my now famous Creamy Spinach and Feta Dip, and sent the husband to the liquor store.
We sipped on Gin Blossoms and Breakfast Martinis while watching the race and munched our way through the delicious artichoke dip, homemade guacamole and 4-layer Mexican dip brought by our guests. And a fine feast it was!
I'm sorry to say that I did not win the Preakness pool - a grand total of $12 - but at least we kept it in the family ... the husband won! I made up for it, however, by winning a grand total of $15 during a vigorous round of "Buck-a-Cup" while watching the Rockies v. Pirates game later on. Nice!
Sometimes the best parties are the ones that come together at the last minute ... of course it helps to have a blog full of recipes and a fridge full of left-overs to make them happen!
And that's the extent of my kitchen activities this weekend. I'm off to hunt and forage this afternoon and will be back with a new recipe tomorrow. Stay tuned.
So, how did you spend the weekend? Curious Diva wants to know.
Bon appetit!
you know your a pro when you refer to it as 'betting on the ponies' sounds like a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteExcellent. I guess like me you had a really fun weekend. But unlike me, you probably didn't end up having to go to bed super early as you went into a food coma... or did you? :D
ReplyDeleteYou have a gift! Use it! :)
ReplyDeleteGotta learn how to bet right...and by right, we mean in the way that makes money! We bet you had a good weekend though. Food and drink alone, it was tops.
ReplyDeleteWe should have had a preakness party! What a fun idea! Can you imagine how thrilled my 5-year old was that a philly won! She is really into the races, she was since she was a baby :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I hadyour luck! I have the ability to suck the luck right out of people...that is how unlucky I am. Sounds like a great weekend!
ReplyDeletedoggybloggy - opps, kind of gave myself away there, didn't I?! ;)
ReplyDeleteHH - no food coma here, fortunately ... though I did need to go to be early last night!
words words words - I try to use my powers for good instead of evil. ;) LOL
duodishes - I don't have a system, just bet on the names that I like. Surprisingly it works more often than not. :)
5 Star - yes, so true about the Philly! Since my party was over-run with women we were all about the girl-power. How cute about your daughter. :)
Wino - funny, my husband used to have terrible luck too, but I think I've rubbed off on him over the years. I hope he's not stealing *my* luck!
Sounds like a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou may not have a system but you do have genetic predisposition for picking winners...on both sides of the family. Aunt M. was a very lucky person and once won a considerable amount on a horse named Lovely Linda. And as you know Uncle G. wins most everything. And then there was Clara won by Mama Diva (a large stuffed dog). So you see......
ReplyDeleteSpent last weekend running errands and planting our garden. Hoping this weekend will be a bit more fun - no chores, please!
ReplyDelete