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Well I finally got my Sept/Oct issue a couple days ago I have to say I was really, really disappointed. I've seen some ups and downs in the mag.
The cover story was about comparing performance figures. I thought wow, they're going to a new level. I'll probably get to see a 30 day test of the big 3 comparing last race, best of last 3, turf, poly etc. All I get is a fluff article saying they're all 3 good after using them on 4 races each along with a fluff interview with Jeff Mullins. If this is the direction they're going, yikes.
I'd love to see someone with money to waste, or who has already compared them for 30 days or so share their results.
With the late printing they may be hurting financially or just disorganized right now. All the race dates and features were already outdated by the time I received it. Even later than usual.
miesque
10-14-2008, 11:20 PM
One problem is that Sept/Oct issue of the Horseplayers Magazine (which I also only just got several days ago myself) is too much on the heels of their Breeders Cup issue which is usually their best issue. Unfortunately for myself, I just checked their site and the status of that issue is still "In Production" and I fly to Santa Anita on Monday and based on how long it took me to get the last issue its highly doubtful the BC issue will find itself in my mailbox by Saturday, which I am not too happy about that since that issue basically becomes useless to me since it is primarily BC handicapping related.
That timing issue aside, I have thoroughly enjoyed the magazine over the years having been a subscriber since 2002 and its true some issues are admittedly not as good as others, but I have assumed that is based on how good their potential pool of articles submitted are for a particular issue.
PaceAdvantage
10-14-2008, 11:24 PM
Wow, I got the Sep/Oct issue a while ago....or am I in a time warp?
miesque
10-14-2008, 11:44 PM
Per the Horseplayer Magazine website the Sept/Oct issue was mailed on Sept 17. I sent an e-mail to magazine on Oct 1 mentioning that I had not received it and to make sure my address and subscription were up-to-date (to which I never received a response) and I that issue finally arrived in my mailbox around Oct 6 (give or take a mailing day or two).
HP has been, overall, a major disappoint. They set their sites low and still usually fall short. Content is poor at best, with an occasional good article, and the physical mag itself is far too cluttered and hard to read some pages because of the mindless background crap. Delivery has always been poor.
They had a lot of promise at the beginning but that lasted about 6-8 issues.
A week to go for the BC and they have totally missed the biggest event of the year. The staff there needs to be improved - the current one is lacking.
Per the Horseplayer Magazine website the Sept/Oct issue was mailed on Sept 17. I sent an e-mail to magazine on Oct 1 mentioning that I had not received it and to make sure my address and subscription were up-to-date (to which I never received a response) and I that issue finally arrived in my mailbox around Oct 6 (give or take a mailing day or two).
Same thing with me...maybe there were a few that didn't make it out?
I continue to subscribe over the years because they've tackled some tough issues and I want to support that. I also used to enjoy ask Donna because of her jockeys viewpoint and trainer husband, love the satirical comedy of the nose and they occasionally have some interesting articles from horseman, owners and bettors that I wouldn't have access to otherwise. That's enough for me at the current price. It's probably hard because some content has to be suited to beginners (like the article on conditions in this months issue) but they also have to please the more experienced fan.
But if you're going to promote a comparison of performance figures on the cover, shouldn't it be more than 4 races?
Bill Cullen
10-15-2008, 09:30 PM
The best Horseplayer Mag is PaceAdvantage.com!
The Hawk
10-15-2008, 10:41 PM
The best Horseplayer Mag is PaceAdvantage.com!
Great idea! PA, what about it? A magazine! You have the title, and the writers....
PaceAdvantage
10-16-2008, 01:33 AM
Not a bad idea...need more hours in a day though to make it work!
Fingal
10-16-2008, 11:13 AM
HP has been, overall, a major disappoint. They set their sites low and still usually fall short. Content is poor at best, with an occasional good article, and the physical mag itself is far too cluttered and hard to read some pages because of the mindless background crap. Delivery has always been poor.
They had a lot of promise at the beginning but that lasted about 6-8 issues.
A week to go for the BC and they have totally missed the biggest event of the year. The staff there needs to be improved - the current one is lacking.
When it first came out, I was looking forward to something new & subscribed for a year to try it out. I didn't renew...................
Surprise, surprise. The BC Issue came today.....BEFORE the BC!!!! :rolleyes:
Actually, it's pretty decent. Some good coverage of both day's races.
I'll be looking for it tomorrow.....
Donnie@HTR
10-20-2008, 10:03 PM
....got mine today....along with Bloodhorse. Between the two, some good reading!
Steve 'StatMan'
10-21-2008, 12:21 AM
Got mine today too
FUGITIVE77
10-21-2008, 01:49 AM
My BC copy is in, then again I've been on the priority mailing list since day one.
pandy
10-21-2008, 07:33 AM
Wow, I got the Sep/Oct issue a while ago....or am I in a time warp?
So did I, probably two weeks ago.
My BC copy is in, then again I've been on the priority mailing list since day one.
I must beat the very bottom of the list :D or my postal delivery is really screwy>
Nothing today. Plenty of time though
rrpic6
10-22-2008, 05:59 AM
My experience with HorsePlayer Magazine:
A few years ago, I paid $35, by check, for a year's subscription. I received three issues, the Kentucky Derby one coming the week after the Derby, then no further issues arrived. I called a number listed in the magazine to let them know of my problem, but each time I called, no one could help. I e-mailed them, even asking for Tom Quigley to get back to me. Finally, I received a rather unprofessional e-mail from possibly a secretary saying " I should go ask my mailman, where my magazine is. He is probably stealing them". About a year later I would get advertisements to "renew" my subscription!
I know a few of the writers that contribute articles to HorsePlayer, and I've asked them to talk to their contacts at the magazine to let them know of my situation. Neither Quigley or any of his staff has ever gotten back to me over this. I no longer get mail asking me to sign up for more subscriptions.
RR
Mine arrived yesterday
Freddy
Steve 'StatMan'
10-22-2008, 01:54 PM
Seriously. There really are problems with the postal employees, esp. mailmen, taking them and reading them. Postman friend of mine said a lot of his fellow postmen plus himself were horseplayers. Told me the postal service has problems with some mailmen hold onto items like racing magazines and read them first before delivering, or never delivering at all. Some take the free samples of products, etc. So hopefully Niko's mailman is done reading Niko's Horseplayer Magazine and finallly delivers it before Filly Friday gets here!
rrpic6
10-22-2008, 02:18 PM
Seriously. There really are problems with the postal employees, esp. mailmen, taking them and reading them. Postman friend of mine said a lot of his fellow postmen plus himself were horseplayers. Told me the postal service has problems with some mailmen hold onto items like racing magazines and read them first before delivering, or never delivering at all. Some take the free samples of products, etc. So hopefully Niko's mailman is done reading Niko's Horseplayer Magazine and finallly delivers it before Filly Friday gets here!
Steve;
Since you are the "Stat Man", Chicago has always ranked right at the bottom when it comes to Postal Customer surveys. As an employee of the USPS for 30 years, I really took offense to the response Horseplayer Magazine sent me when they did not honor my pre-paid yearly subscription. BTW, at the time of this mishap, I actually worked in the Post Office that delivered my mail, and my Mailman would walk over anything Horseracing related to me ASAP! Now that's Service!
RR
I received it yesterday.....doesn't look read :D
If they read it and it only takes an extra day, wouldn't make me too upset...not that it's right
Steve 'StatMan'
10-24-2008, 06:37 PM
Steve;
Since you are the "Stat Man", Chicago has always ranked right at the bottom when it comes to Postal Customer surveys. As an employee of the USPS for 30 years, I really took offense to the response Horseplayer Magazine sent me when they did not honor my pre-paid yearly subscription. BTW, at the time of this mishap, I actually worked in the Post Office that delivered my mail, and my Mailman would walk over anything Horseracing related to me ASAP! Now that's Service!
RR
Sorry you had a bad experience, RR. Yes, your situation wasn't with your own post office and your delivery person!
I do remember them having a lot of problems in the early years of the mag with postal situations and some of the early distributors/distribution methods. There was even a period when they started wraping the magazine in a clear plastic wrapper to keep them from getting opened before delivery.
Yup, lots of postal problems in Chicago traditionally. Although I'm generally quite satisfied the service I've gotten in the Northwest Suburbs around AP. It might help living close to the post office and driving there to make my dropoffs in the box with multiple pick up times.
mountainman
10-24-2008, 08:41 PM
Analyzed JFT for this edition of HP. Problematic with deadline 3 weeks in front.
cnollfan
10-24-2008, 10:43 PM
One thing Horseplayer did that I like is print the winning Beyer and Bris numbers of every Breeders Cup winner. Last year Kip Deville had the lowest winning BC Mile Bris fig in some time. I'm betting against him tomorrow based on that.
Sherry
10-31-2008, 08:33 PM
Analyzed JFT for this edition of HP. Problematic with deadline 3 weeks in front.
Nice article you did for HP. Congrats on picking the 12-1 winner Maram.
strapper
11-25-2008, 12:34 PM
I don't subscribe to HP but I've read my share of issues in the past and always enjoy it. It's the more glamorous of the two handicapping magazines in my opinion.
toetoe
11-28-2008, 01:59 PM
A mag is a GREAT idea. How evah, what has any of us really wrote ?
Hmm ... :confused:
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