Today I went to the races with my students. Musselburgh Racecourse is just a few miles from Dalkeith, and we were lucky enough to have a perfect sunny day for eating treats, placing little bets, and watching beautiful horses in action.

In the race for the Willie Park Trophy, I lost two pounds on the overrated Merchant of Dubai, but I won it back by betting on his half-brother Bourse in the final race of the day. Since a “bourse” is a European stock exchange, I’m thinking that this victory must be a sign that one should invest in Europe instead of the Middle East.

Here’s lovely Mystical Spirit, getting ready to make her place-winning debut.