Q&A With Gambler Monique Vág

Every girl loves ponies, but not every girl knows how to bet on those ponies. To call Monique Vág a horse-racing enthusiast would be like calling the Kentucky Derby just another weekend in May.
When she isn’t betting on her hometown Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs (OK, maybe against the Leafs), she’s at her second home at Woodbine Racetrack.
Vág has written for Covers since 2013, taking on the challenge of betting every single 2014 NCAA Tournament game as well as betting every college football bowl game in 2014-15. 
Name: Monique Vág
What I do for a living: Student and freelance journalist for Covers.com
How and when I was introduced to Thoroughbred racing: I’ve grown up around the track my whole life, mainly through harness racing. I would always frantically study the Racing Form before major stakes races, however it’s only recently that I started following Thoroughbred racing on a weekly basis. The pools are so much bigger and the fields often twice the size.
My favorite racetrack: Santa Anita Park
My favorite Thoroughbred racing event: Most Breeders’ Cup events. I love the Classic.
Other sports/teams I follow: I follow most sports, but NFL, NHL and MLB religiously.
What I would like to see more of in Thoroughbred racing: More insightful and intimate interviews from people involved in the business. Getting a little deeper into their minds about horses currently racing.
What I would like to see less of in Thoroughbred racing: Fields with less than six horses.
Three words that define what Thoroughbred racing means to me: Exhilarating, intense, dynamic
First Thoroughbred track I ever attended was: Woodbine Racetrack
Favorite all-time Thoroughbred: Zenyatta
My personal best moment in the sport of Thoroughbred racing: Cashing a huge superfecta ticket at Woodbine that I bet straight for $1.

Best racetrack food can be found at: The Reuben sandwiches at Woodbine are great.
My favorite jockey: John Velazquez
My favorite trainer: Bill Mott
My heroes: My mom
Person in Thoroughbred racing I’d like to have dinner with: Todd Pletcher
My philosophy on life: “Just living is not enough ... one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” — Hans Christian Andersen
Favorite quote or motto: “We are what we repeatedly do. Greatness then, is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle
Favorite animal other than a horse: Penguin
Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended: Bills - Jets. Week 17, 2012
Favorite food: Lobster or steak
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere warm!
Favorite city: Dallas
Favorite musician/band: Metallica or Guns N' Roses

Favorite all-time movie(s): “The Shawshank Redemption”
Favorite TV Show: “Dexter”
Favorite hotel: The Ritz-Carlton
Websites I visit daily: Facebook. Twitter, Covers
What I drive: In the process of getting a new Infiniti
Pet peeve: Indecisiveness
Favorite movie about horse racing: “Seabiscuit” or “Let It Ride”
Which actor would play me in a movie: Jennifer Lawrence
Alma Mater: University of Toronto
Favorite radio shows/channels: I really only listen to music in the car, so I don’t think I have one.
Best book I recently read: “Leaves of Grass,” by Walt Whitman
Favorite memento: Photographs of memories that cannot be relived.
Favorite dessert: Cherry cheesecake or carrot cake
Favorite drink: Coffee
Favorite scent: Flora, by Gucci, or Chanel No. 5
What I like about my job: Creative freedom, an outlet to express myself, conversing with likeminded individuals, learning from some of the best writers/editors in the business.
Favorite tech gadget: iPad
Twitter handle: ParlayQueen
People I follow on Twitter: Lots of sports/horse bettors and professional handicappers.
No. 1 Bucket-List item: Definitely attending the Super Bowl!