Hellmers is friggin' nuts...

[PhantomOnTour]

but he sure can pick some winners.
Interview just now on NBC was waaaaaaaaay out there :lol:

[Shelby]

LOL I cracked up the whole time. I'd love to have a beer with him! Oh, and he had my favorite sunglasses with him ;)

[kingfin66]

He isn't very articulate when he goes off on his mystical tangents. That leads to believe it is a put on. If he were really knowledgeable about it, he would quickly get into his element when discussing it even with a camera and microphone in his face. As it was, he came of as Nuke Laloosh. Definitely a great handicapper. As for the wardrobe, it speaks for itself.

[SandyW]

That was a statement jacket he was wearing.

[Shelby]

And that's a statement hat that Johnny Weir is wearing……...

[kingfin66]

Maybe they can get together and make a really big statement. What is the statement they are trying to make? Actually, never mind, I am afraid to know.

[Tom]

Does Conte have a statement magnifying glass today?

[Stillriledup]

Does Conte have a statement magnifying glass today?

:D

That's harsh, but i had to laugh.

[comet52]

And that's a statement hat that Johnny Weir is wearing……...

His lipstick is a bit too far into the pink spectrum for my taste.

[classhandicapper]

And that's a statement hat that Johnny Weir is wearing……...

Why do they use people that know nothing about horse racing in any of the commentary or lighter pieces?

It doesn't all have to be serious handicapping or serious stories about the owners, trainers and riders. Interviewing and using celebrities is probably good marketing. But even for the lighter stuff they should use people that know the game a little or major celebrities with an interest in the game. That piece was a woeful waste of time.

[Shelby]

His lipstick is a bit too far into the pink spectrum for my taste.
:D He sure wears way more makeup than I do.

[Shelby]

Why do they use people that know nothing about horse racing in any of the commentary or lighter pieces?

It doesn't all have to be serious handicapping or serious stories about the owners, trainers and riders. Interviewing and using celebrities is probably good marketing. But even for the lighter stuff they should use people that know the game a little or major celebrities with an interest in the game. That piece was a woeful waste of time.


While I understand NBC wanting to target different audiences, I agree that they should have used different people. Or maybe just one fashion type segment using Tara and Johnny. I would have loved to have Bobby Flay doing some commentary.

[DJofSD]

NBC believes in the theory of flies: eat sh*t, 10,000,000 flies can't be wrong.

[classhandicapper]

While I understand NBC wanting to target different audiences, I agree that they should have used different people. Or maybe just one fashion type segment using Tara and Johnny. I would have loved to have Bobby Flay doing some commentary.

Right. Flay is a celebrity that a lot of people outside of racing know, but he has a major interest in the sport. There has to be others that we don't even know about.

[DJofSD]

Yep, Bobby's already got a BC win under his belt.

[BettinBilly]

I have a lot of respect for Christian Helmers. I don't know if his "uniqueness" is part acting or not, but whatever the case, it's a "unique" brand he is building and I respect that. I think it was on "Horseplayers" that Christian said something like, "Most people would not think I'm Normal". He is aware that his mannerisms and lifestyle are a bit different, but so what? It's America. As my French friends would say, "C'est la vie! Viva la differance mon ami, bien sur!"

Christian and I follow each other on Twitter and he and I share some common interests and lifestyles. We both like running and working out, we are both Horseplayers, and we both like the ladies. I'm a partial Vegan like Christian, but unlike him, I cheat and eat Fish on occasion. Not often, but I do. I'm more of a mix of Pescetarian and Vegan. Although, you won't see me at the Track walking around with a suit, tail, headband, and drinking Algae, I do try and eat and live a healthy lifestyle. That part of Christian I really admire.

Then comes his professional Horseplayer prowess. The man is good. I don't think anyone would deny that. I've been at this game for a while, and the one thing I know is that if you have Achieved Mr. Helmer's level of success, your peers should at the very least respect that accomplishment, since, it is certainly not easy. There is some luck involved, to be sure. However, Christian has proven that he's a Pro at this game, to me at least. I respect that, and I respect him.

I do hope that "Horseplayers" returns for another season. Good entertainment for some of us.