Went down the racetrack at Hollywood Park
Just like we would always do
I took along my sketchpad and hung around the fence
Tryin’ to catch the lines the jocks and the ponies cast

But it was not the same without you there
It was not the same without you there

I tried to make the good bet, the sure bet, the winning bet
The bet they’d sing about at La Scala
No stupid exactas, no show bets on the favorite
You’d spit on and call sissy lala

But it was not the same without you there
It was not the same without you there

What is it about you that makes it seem like in the Wizard of Oz
When it’s suddenly in color?

Oh the man who plays the trumpet’s going
do do do-do-do-do do-do-do-do do do do do
And the horses are coming out on the track

I’ll go check out the ponies
And try to outguess Mieszersky
Maybe win what I lost in the last race back

But it’s not the same without you here
It’s not the same without you here

(lyrics: Dan Bern)