Jimmy Breslin, June 7, 1990 – Newsday:
Corum was asked to become the head of the Kentucky Derby by Louisville businessmen who said they had a grave problem. Newspapers all over the world claimed Louisville was a place where Derby visitors were robbed. Prices were tripled, touts were everywhere and women who were supposed to be available and uncommonly glamorous turned out to be nothing more than common thieves.
Corum glanced at the clips and threw them in the air. “This is great. There is nothing better for a championship event than a treacherous woman. If a guy from North Dakota goes home from here after the race and has to be met because he doesn’t even have cab fare left, that guy is going to say to himself, ‘Wow. I must have had a hell of a time. I can’t wait for next year.’ But if that same guy goes home and he still has half his money, he is going to say ‘I guess I didn’t have such a great time at the Kentucky Derby after all.’
“Because, gentlemen, this is the rule. A sucker has to get screwed.” Corum ran the Kentucky Derby on this premise for years, and the game was good for all of Louisville. No sucker ever wept.
Explains why I spent so little time in the casino when we traveled to Las Vegas years ago. Few suckers lounging by the pool, and enjoying fine dining. You get what you pay for, there.
#suckers #get #screwed #jimmy #breslin
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