After Jason finished his crazy two weeks with 4 tests, we had some fun by going to a BBQ and then to the horse track with some friends.  We had no idea there was a horse racing track in Des Moines and were very surprised as we drove up that it was at a gigantic casino.  We had to have our ID's checked to get in and the building was full of cigarette smoke and people drinking beer - fortunately the races were outdoors.

I had two races that were especially entertaining to me.  The first was when we'd just gotten there and were getting accustomed to our surroundings.  The horses were barreling toward the finish line, running at full speed.  You could feel the excitement in the air as this lady loudly yells out, "C'mon Gipper!  C'mon Gipper!!!" over and over.  She was yelling so loud and so desperately I figured she was drunk, but then I realized, she probably bet ALOT of money on a horse that just lost.  Gipper did not come through.

In my second race, we all went and examined the horses that would be racing momentarily and made our "bets".  Jason chose horse #5 and "bet" the other guys that he would win.  Race time came and 5 was in the lead, then another horse started gaining on him.  They were neck and neck but at the last moment 5 pulled way ahead...and we won!!!  If only Jason really had bet we could have made alot of money.  But not really.