I agree from personal experience about the NYRA winter backstretch experience. We stabled our horses at Belmont during the winter meet of 1980 at Aqueduct with sub-zero temps. I developed frostbite in all my fingers in both hands in the first 2 weeks. Brrrrrr and ouch!!

Bob

Not to dismiss him or his abilities, but I make my own selections. I don't "consult" with any public handicappers. I do pay attention to his picks though as his preferences do affect the odds. I'll come up with a horse, he'll agree 10 minutes before post time, and suddenly my 5/2 goes off at 3/2.

What I do like is when we disagree, and he literally mentions that my pick is no good. if it comes in, I'm going to get a better price than I anticipated.

Almost by design his job is going to annoy more persons than it pleases. Thirty minutes after making someone happy while they collect, he'll probably have them swearing at him when they tear up the next ticket. It's like what a rider goes through from one race to the next.

I love the Trips and Traps Show though, so if you're paying attention Andy, kudos for that.

Andy, In my handicapping I rely heavily on acurate speed figures and my interpretations of a horse's changing form. I therefore depend on reliable trip analysis to evaluate how the horses figures were earned. In this you provide an invaluable service and you do it well with intelligence and humor. Keep up the good work, little guy.

Bob

Another friend of Andy's causing mischief I see...