During a near-lifetime association with thoroughbred racing I�ve read many a condemnation of horse playing. I cannot recall even once reading a eulogy or even a defense of this fascinating pursuit. Therefore, before launching into another edition of HANDICAPPING HINTS, with the reader�s tolerance, I�d like to rectify this oversight.

The following presents the appeal that horse racing has held for me for some 60-odd years. It presents a highly personal perspective, but I�m confident the reader still will be enabled to empathize with much of what I say.

My wife has Alzheimer�s disease. Due to this fact, and as her caregiver. I was and am obliged to live in an area of Massachusetts that precludes my attending a race track. There�s not even an OTB available. It�s difficult to obtain New York race results, or even news relative to my favorite sport. I�ve tried handicapping and betting via whatever facilities the web had to offer. But I found the proceedings to be somewhat less than satisfying.

Thus, being unable to handicap and bet horses satisfactorily I filled the void, in part, by keeping a journal from which a book titled ALZHEIMER�S (A Caregiver�s Day-By-Day Account) was derived. The following presents an excerpt from this book, apparently written on a day when I was feeling sorry for myself.

"Horse racing has long been a way of life for me. The minor prestige which it accorded, due to my writings over a period of 60 years, represents only one of the many aspects I miss. Also, sorely missed, is the camaraderie, the relationships established and the friendships acquired over decades.

"A void also exists from having lost a sense of privilege. I refer to such as being granted a press badge, free year-around clubhouse admission, and preferred parking privileges. Superficial? Sheer vanity? Of course, but nonetheless missed. After all, it took many years to earn the recognition that led to these and other considerations.

"More important though is the fact that thoroughbred horse racing provided an on-going intellectual stimulation and challenge. It stroked my ego by enabling me to prove I was better at a difficult game than most players.

"Furthermore, there is a matter of prime importance: Racing served as a friend who could be counted on to enable one to forget � for a little while each day � the problems that life too often inflicted. Whether it involved concerns with health, home business or otherwise, racing was always there to offer a few hours diversion from one�s troubles."

I�m fully aware that some fans, like some State lottery players, become compulsive and go to excess, creating financial problems both for themselves and family. There�s little need to cite this. It�s been shouted from the house tops. I feel, however, that there is a need to present the other side i.e., the therapeutic side of racing.

Okay! With that said, I promise there will be no more personalizing of this column. I just thought that some, or even all, readers of Robert V. Rowe�s HANDICAPPING HINTS might appreciate seeing their favorite past time defended.

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