I met Eddie Dunnigan in the Cockatoo Hotel in Hawthorne 29 years ago. I was selling horses from NZ. The guy was hilarious. Spent hours in the bar. Lotta horseman stayed there even though racing was only at Los Alamitos. Guess that was from the Hollywood Park Days.
Funny story not to do with Eddie. I met this Volkswagen Mechanic from Germany who had lived there for 10 years. He loved to bet the gallopers at Hollywood Park. Pick 6 was his favorite bet. He took two black hookers to the track the year before on closing day and had 2 horses going in last leg to win a shitload of money. He got beat by a nose but it was a mandatory payoff on closing day and he ended up with $69,000 after taxes. Gave the two hookers a 3rd each.
We decided to bet the pick 6 and played a $2500.00 ticket. I wanted to spend a bunch more so we could take all in a 12 horse Maiden Special Weight and he didn't want to so I said, "You know more about these horses than me so take two out". He leaves out a 55 to 1 shot and the 3-1 second favorite. Guess what won. Yes, the 3-1 shot who had 4 seconds in a row.
The pick 6 ended in a carryover of $255,000 and we ended up with 10 pick 5's @ $1259.00 each one. Oh well shit happens.