THE BIG "T" PART 2

We pulled into the parking lot of Thistledown, an asphalt expanse in need of much repair. The grandstand was a large rectangular structure of glass and brick. Several satelite dishes of various sizes dotted the grounds around the building.
Jim grabbed a tabloid paper from the back and we crossed to and entered the building. The interior was cavernous, with several eateries, rows of what I discovered later were automated betting machines, and televison sets strung to cables throughout. At a stand an elderly monkey boy was selling tabloids to a line of patrons. The trackside wall had doors spaced about leading to the track itself. Between the sets of doors were mammoth banks of TVs. A variety of races, replays of the prior day's events Jim informed me, were being shown from all around the country. . Long rows of tables. bettors seated sporadicly about, were placed before the televisons. Clerks mulled about behind counters, occaisionally chatting with the customers or, more commonly, amongst themselves.
"We've got an hour 'til the first race from Calder," observed my monkey boy host. Let's invest in some hot dogs."
We got some weenies and cokes at one of the stands. Another delicacy I had yet to try. Jim added some mustard to his and I did likewise. We grabbed some seats, Jim took a bite of his dog, and unfurled his tabloid. "Daily Racing Form" was emblazoned in an antique script across the top.
I took a bite of my hot dog. Bliss. Sheer bliss. Where did monkey boys come up with this great food?
Jim opened the tabloid and I saw it was filled with a variety of data-numbers, letters, words and symbols--jammed together into barely readable lines. Hand written near each horse's name were some additonal numbers added by the monkey boy.

The big ape pointed to one of the horse's names and explained that this was a record of his past performances. Patiently he reviewed what all the numbers and symbols meant. It was quite a bit to absorb at once and a little confusing, but fortunately I'm a bright Glannoid and caught on to most of it pretty quickly.
You'll notice, by the way, how clean the race track itself is?" asked Jim, referring to the dirt oval the races were run over.
"Ah, yes. It is rather neatly kept."
" It's so clean 'cause all the horses' hienies are in the stands"
As the big ape chortled over his own joke I was off to invest in more hot dogs.

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