Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

You can’t do it all in the Foothills, compared with the Big City. But as it turns out, you can bet on horse racing, at least with the proper connections.

I enjoy watching the horses run far more than betting, but I did bet $10 each time on the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (and lost both times). My “source” let the money ride, rather than showing up with a rubber hose — a tribute to the more laid-back Foothills’ lifestyle.

This time around, before Triple Crown-contender “I’ll Have Another” was scratched, I handicapped the race and bet all of what I had lost — $20 — on “Union Rags” to win in the Belmont Stakes this afternoon. That’s a big bet for me.

As it turned out, the “bookmaker” had locked me in before the favorite was scratched, guaranteeing me lower odds. (Thanks for nothing; I still feel like a “city slicker” in the “country”).

At any rate, I figured it was “put up or shut up” time for Rags, favored to win the Kentucky Derby.

“Union Rags” won in an exciting finish, and I’ll collect roughly $70 (enough to treat my horse-racing friends to some beers and pizza at the Northridge). Easy come, easy go.

But I still wish California-trained “I’ll Have Another” had stayed in the Belmont and won the Triple Crown. Now I’m back to my limit: $5 per race maximum. Like I said, I just like to watch the horses run.

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