SENIOR CITIZEN BURNOUT

[PIC6SIX]

Any of you over 60 and 70 years of age feel they suffer from handicapping burnout having done this for near to 40 years? Like your enthusiastic zeal for the game has waned over time and your handicapping process has become more of a chore than a hobby to be enjoyed. Just some comments from the aged ones on this board is appreciated. Thanks

[Fred]

Maybe not suffer but certainly frustrated because of where the industry is today. As discussed on this board many times weekday racing is boring and for me a waste of time. I only enjoy looking at Sat/Sun/Holiday/Major Stakes days to play.
I wll be 69 this Nov.

[foul]

That is me exactly. I was commenting yesterday to some of my horseracing buddies how I use to enjoy the process but it seemed like more of chore now. But there is a cure.... SARATOGA...... I will be there August 3-5 and all will be like old times.

[biggestal99]

Well I am 59 and one half. Never been a better time to be a horse player than today. I am a jersey x player. I still enjoy the handicapping process, watching races and attending the track. It's the greatest sport known to man.

Allan

[biggestal99]

Well I am 59 and one half. Never been a better time to be a horse player than today. I am a jersey x player. I still enjoy the handicapping process, watching races and attending the track. It's the greatest sport known to man.

Allan

Oh ps--I also am going to the spa next weekend. The big red spring cures what ails ya.

[jk3521]

I always dreamed of being retired and having all the time in the world to just relax and handicap and bet the horses with no other cares in the world like my job , especially. I would always seem to miss a good payday at the track because of my job !


With the state of racing today , I look at the entries each day and say why bother. I still love to watch the races, but don't have as much desire to bet on them. Now I only look for certain situations to place a larger bet and mainly just play around with dollar exotic bets.

[Not4Love]

Because i can't win (anymore). First horse i ever claimed was at the SPA. Would never take the risk now.

[Secondbest]

Maybe not suffer but certainly frustrated because of where the industry is today. As discussed on this board many times weekday racing is boring and for me a waste of time. I only enjoy looking at Sat/Sun/Holiday/Major Stakes days to play.
I wll be 69 this Nov.
I feel exactly the same way .69 in Sept.

[PhantomOnTour]

That is me exactly. I was commenting yesterday to some of my horseracing buddies how I use to enjoy the process but it seemed like more of chore now. But there is a cure.... SARATOGA...... I will be there August 3-5 and all will be like old times.
I find Saratoga to be the biggest grind of them all. The six day a week schedule keeps any serious player VERY busy for the entire meet.
By week 3 or 4 I always find myself needing a break.

[tophatmert]

Today at Saratoga I will bet the five in the first Branded Hand and maybe Sweet Nikosi later in the day. I am going to play golf like I like to do. I really require a reason to engage in a full day of racing now. If there are not several plays that I like I won't invest the time. I can come out even betting 400,000 a year or I can come out even betting 150,000 a year. I bet 330,000 a couple of years ago and won 3.Every year I bet a little less and pay a little less attention and I think I am happier for it . Well, off to Branded Hand and then to golf in 95 degrees and humid .

[illinoisbred]

I'm 60 and after 33 years of playing Hawthorne and Arlington year in and out I suffered somewhat from burnout. I detested the poly...could never really adapt to it. Became disgusted with the decline in racing quality and AP's ever shrinking fields. Began preparations for a wagering move to SoCal racing a year before I left the Illinois product. Experienced a fairly smooth transition and my interest rejuvenated. Not that all is great in SoCal...June at Santa Anita this year was reminiscent of Arlington with the pithy fields.

[tophatmert]

I'm 60 and after 33 years of playing Hawthorne and Arlington year in and out I suffered somewhat from burnout. I detested the poly...could never really adapt to it. Became disgusted with the decline in racing quality and AP's ever shrinking fields. Began preparations for a wagering move to SoCal racing a year before I left the Illinois product. Experienced a fairly smooth transition and my interest rejuvenated. Not that all is great in SoCal...June at Santa Anita this year was reminiscent of Arlington with the pithy fields.
The AP product is awful. The fall HAW is better. I rarely go live anymore even though I'm 30 minutes from AP. The VIP room is filled with guys lookin for a free Danish and some signing work. Some friends went Friday to AP and I was going to go but the card was awful so I golfed. Saturday I provided passes for A Pace Advantage group and still could not get motivated enough over the card to go. The live experience in the time period you were in Illinois was pretty vibrant and I loved every moment of being there.

[illinoisbred]

The AP product is awful. The fall HAW is better. I rarely go live anymore even though I'm 30 minutes from AP. The VIP room is filled with guys lookin for a free Danish and some signing work. Some friends went Friday to AP and I was going to go but the card was awful so I golfed. Saturday I provided passes for A Pace Advantage group and still could not get motivated enough over the card to go. The live experience in the time period you were in Illinois was pretty vibrant and I loved every moment of being there.
I'm still in Illinois...approx. 25 minutes northwest of Arlington. I just changed where I submit my wagering dollars. But you're right,SoCal today is very much like Arlington was up until the early 90's. The racing meant something and had an impact on the national stage.

[SG4]

I am a jersey x player

What is Jersey X?

[magwell]

I still love the game, look forward to a fresh form 5 days a week or 6 like now with Saratoga, I've been hooked on the game probably longer then most, even with the way it has evolved, I still love seeing the horses up close and the challenges of betting on them......;)

[Pensacola Pete]

What is Jersey X?

Betfair's New Jersey exchange wagering.

[Donttellmeshowme]

Because i can't win (anymore). First horse i ever claimed was at the SPA. Would never take the risk now.


Why not? please explain..

[formula_2002]

I'm so old ...I only play 6f races and shorter, else I may not be around when the race is over. :cool:

[Tom]

I sometimes nod off during races ever 6 furlongs. :sleeping:

[biggestal99]

What is Jersey X?

New Jersey betting exchange. I renewed me as a bettor. Spend all my time on the exchange.

Allan

[JustRalph]

This the opposite world thread to the "who the hell is playing this game thread"

[bugboy]

As for me. I'll be 75 in Oct. I'm not burned out. I think one of the reasons is I'm always looking for angles. I think I'm on angle number 2469 and counting. Plus I.m only a two dollar better, and this is the most enjoyment I get for two bucks. I play just about every day, however since iam an angle player, there are only a few races a day. I know some of ya guys might think I.m a little nuts, but you know what......your right I'am.
I watch the races every day. I've only been doing this for about 45 years.
I hope to be doing this for another 45 years. If my girlfriend can put up with me, I'm a lucky guy, and she is the greatest cook out there.

May all your photo finishes go your way

Good luck to all the 'capers

[AndyC]

Any of you over 60 and 70 years of age feel they suffer from handicapping burnout having done this for near to 40 years? Like your enthusiastic zeal for the game has waned over time and your handicapping process has become more of a chore than a hobby to be enjoyed. Just some comments from the aged ones on this board is appreciated. Thanks

Based on the average age of a racing fan these days I would call myself a youngster at 62.

I was all-in for about 40 years but decided to retire from betting about 2 years ago. As a winning player I found that the time requirements for research, record keeping and preparation were immense. I didn't "play" the races for fun or as a recreational diversion. It takes a lot of energy, passion, motivation and time for me to be a successful bettor. I no longer had enough of any of those elements to keep me going. It has all been transferred to golf!

Ironically the thing that sapped my passion the most was the thing I thought would be nirvana for a horse bettor, internet betting. What's not to like about having all information at your finger tips, betting at the last minute, betting all tracks, and saving time and money by not having to drive to the OTB or track? What I found out was that it was the daily interaction with the people at the OTB and track that energized me. Horse bettors are a different breed (pun intended) and I thrived on the daily interaction. It's the reason I frequent PA.

[PaceAdvantage]

I never thought about it like that Andy, but I think you might be onto something there. Internet wagering does take something out of the equation, that's for sure. It takes away one of the things that first lit that spark in us about this game.

[Ocala Mike]

Also going on 75 (December), and been playing horses for almost 60 years (yes, I started as a teen with my older brother and dad "running" my bets.) Although not burned out, I feel I know less about why horses win than I did in the late 50's. Also, I make the same mistakes.

Going to the Spa for a week in a couple of weeks - maybe I'll get refreshed up there in horseplayer's heaven, like in the old days.

[dogkatcher]

Old fart here, and much of the enthusiasm has been lost. So much racing.

No longer anticipate the opening day of Santa Anita after Christmas. The gap used to be many months between seasons. Felt like a kid opening their biggest present. Now days it seems like they never close.

I look for great horses to follow, like when Zenyatta had her run, American Pharoah, and currently California Chrome, Beholder, Songbird, and even Nyquist. West Coast bias, no doubt!

The horses are in my bloodstream, always will be, just wish they didn't have hurdles to jump over these days.

Enjoy the Game, All.

[plainolebill]

I'll be 74 in October, I bet less now but still play 3-4 days a week.

[Alc]

77 in Sept. Still follow the sport intently. However have cut back significantly in on-track attendance and wagering amount. Subscribe to RTN and enjoy low roller contests on Horsetourneys and Derbywars. Rely much more heavily on software[FFPRO} and expert selectors rather than my own handicapping. Came to the conclusion that I cant compete with the likes of Andy Serling. Besides its too much work.

[soupman2]

This thread is pretty funny. You don't like it because we are OLD and cranky!
I used to have a passion for just about everything. Now:

Baseball- how can they give a crap about the game when they make 15 mil a year?
Hockey- too many teams now. Hockey is nothing like it was in the 6 team era.
Golf- too expensive
Casino gambling- you can't win unless you have that special luck karma. Go to Vegas now for the buffets.
Fishing- too many bugs
TV- 200 channels and nothing to watch, just the same old thing.
Movies- don't like super hero's. Last good movie to come out "Saving Private Ryan"
Horse Racing- turn on TVG when I need a nap

Bob

[formula_2002]

This thread is pretty funny. You don't like it because we are OLD and cranky!
I used to have a passion for just about everything. Now:

Baseball- how can they give a crap about the game when they make 15 mil a year?
Hockey- too many teams now. Hockey is nothing like it was in the 6 team era.
Golf- too expensive
Casino gambling- you can't win unless you have that special luck karma. Go to Vegas now for the buffets.
Fishing- too many bugs
TV- 200 channels and nothing to watch, just the same old thing.
Movies- don't like super hero's. Last good movie to come out "Saving Private Ryan"
Horse Racing- turn on TVG when I need a nap

Bob


The DONALD INFULENCE :) :)

[PIC6SIX]

I started this thread and your comments seem most in line with what I am going through. You hit the nail on the head when you said you looked forward to opening of SA the day after Christmas but not so much anymore. I still play but I do not get juiced like I used to when I was younger. I would play from noon til late at night on weekends at the OTB and not feel tired. Would drive from Cleveland to Pittsburgh (the Meadows) just to bet Penn National since Ohio did not have simulcasting. Would travel the eastern portion of the USA playing contests and I can go on and on. I guess I should have John O'Neil inspire me since he was 74 years of age and battling cancer when he won the NHC Championship two years ago. I wish they could bottle "Enthusiasm" and sell me some. Getting old ent fun, going on 72. Thank god I am healthy. Thanks everyone for your comments. Seems I am not alone.

[Aner]

Made my first bet in 1957. Still get excited every race during the stretch when I have a possibility of winning. Saturday is my horse day and I usually follow 5 tracks on-line. Returned recently from a trip to Prineville, OR for their yearly 4 day meet. Wonderful game for an old timer who will be 83 on Saturday.

[jahura2]

Any of you over 60 and 70 years of age feel they suffer from handicapping burnout having done this for near to 40 years? Like your enthusiastic zeal for the game has waned over time and your handicapping process has become more of a chore than a hobby to be enjoyed. Just some comments from the aged ones on this board is appreciated. Thanks

60 yrs old and retiring in September. Been going to the track since I was 13 and plan to go more now that I will have the time. Looking forward to working at Keeneland (my home track) 2 mos of the year and following racing the rest of the time. I love the process and will ramp it up watching more replays and work at refining my wagering. I pretty much stick to a few major tracks, NYRA, KEE. GP and a few "B" tracks so if I ever feel burnout coming I just lay off for awhile. Looking forward to following my passion year round.

[MONEY]

I've been betting for more than 40 years and almost every day since I retired in 98.
The only times that I would miss going to the track was the times that I was hospitalized.

A month ago I stopped betting. What finally got to me to stop was too many scratches.

Last Friday, I decided that I would return to the track on Saturday.
I found 19 races to bet. Then on Saturday morning I checked Equibase for scratches.
After scratches I was down to only 4 betable races.
Either the fields were scratched down to 4 or 5 horses or the horse that I wanted to bet got scratched.
All these scratches happened with good weather. Obviously I didn't go.

I don't know when the next that I feel like going to the track will come, but I know it won't be soon.

BTW, Today I did some handicapping just to stay sharp.
I found 13 races that I liked, but was left with 5 after scratches.

[Shemp Howard]

It was a lot more fun, and profitable, when the grandstand was filled with suckers holding their Clocker Lawton and Stable Boy selection sheets.

[steveb]

what a great thread.

i am betting that there is probably lots of wisdom here just waiting to be tapped.

i am 64 and no longer bet, except for the odd peanut every now and again.
but i leave it with no regrets as i have never actually liked horse racing as such, very much.

the reason i stopped(well i think it's the reason), is because i asked myself one day what it was that i had achieved in all that time(it was my job from circa 1976 to maybe 2013, although i had been waning probably since 2000)

the answer of course was nothing.

i decided i wanted to do something of lasting value but not just for me.
so now i walk ocean beaches, finding, and protecting nests of a very vulnerable beach nesting bird, similar to what you have over there(piping plover)
it gives me something racing never did.
satisfaction, and a sense of self worth.

strangely though, i still love the learning and research, so at nights i am always looking and analysing racing data seeking new factors, that i will never use, even if they are very good.
it keeps your mind in good nick.

[appistappis]

I still love the game, look forward to a fresh form 5 days a week or 6 like now with Saratoga, I've been hooked on the game probably longer then most, even with the way it has evolved, I still love seeing the horses up close and the challenges of betting on them......;)

couldn't have put it any better....just turned 61 and still tear into a new form almost every day like a puppy into a new toy.

[1GCFAN]

I am 72 and like most on this thread I have lost the zeal to tear into handicapping. Hate to bet on the internet and prefer to enjoy the company of others at the OTB. Years ago I couldn't wait for the Form to arrive and would spend hours planning my betting races. Now I seldom look at the entries except for Saturdays. I do find that betting multiple tracks (two or three) at the OTB is very unproductive. I am better off betting one track and races with 8 or more starters.

[thaskalos]

With the deterioration of the racing product...I have gotten deeper and deeper into poker and sports-betting. Surprisingly, the enthusiasm that I feel now compares quite favorably to what I used to feel when I was only betting horses...which means that I was solely money-motivated all along. Even baseball seems exciting to me now...when there is money at stake.

Horse betting has always occupied a special place in my heart/mind, and it is clearly the best gambling game in existence, when it is competently run. But with incompetent leadership at the helm, it gives one the unpleasant feeling that he is being taken...and that's not a desirable feeling for the bettor to harbor.

Of course, since I am only 54 years old (55 in November)...it is quite possible that I may be wrong in my assessment. If this is indeed the case...then, the ignorance of my youth is clearly to blame.

[NY BRED]

nearing age 76 ,I agree with most of the comments posted here.

Internet betting has encouraged many of us to bet more often
as against years ago when we frequented our local track and could
wager on the entries running that day.

Today, the sky is the limit including tracks located .
across the world.

I will be returning to my "youth" at the Spa, and simply zero on NY racing.

That said, I have been involved in owning and Breeding tbreds, which in certain cases offers a new and exciting dimension to this game.

[stuball]

Made my first bet in 1957. Still get excited every race during the stretch when I have a possibility of winning. Saturday is my horse day and I usually follow 5 tracks on-line. Returned recently from a trip to Prineville, OR for their yearly 4 day meet. Wonderful game for an old timer who will be 83 on Saturday.
Happy Birthday Aner

Stuball :ThmbUp: :lol: