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Old 12-23-2008, 06:51 PM   #1
Nmytwenties
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16 Hours Of Handicapping and all I get is a closed sign...I'm done.

Well I have officially had it with this sport, rather the people who run it. Thought I would spend a minute or so sharing my experiance yesterday and give those of you who are near your wits end something to ponder.

Sunday I engaged in my normal routine, get the form before going to work, start handicapping during slow periods at work, then after 5pm focus on it 100%. With the Fair Grounds card having 11 races with stacked and packed fields it took me until 8 in the morning on Monday morning to do all five tracks running on Monday. Normally I can do eight or nine tracks in that time period but with all tracks scheduled having full fields it took me a while. I am someone who is a detail freak and that has aided me in doing pretty well in this sport though it takes me longer than most because I crunch so many numbers.

Well my time invested was completly wasted as my heart sunk as I arrive at the track (River Downs) to see that they decided not to open AS SCHEDULED on Monday. Guess they figured much business wouldn't be done on a day when only 5 tracks were scheduled and two ended up cancelling. Well they obviously weren't too concerned about the folks who HAD BOUGHT ONE OF THE FORMS THAT THEY HAD FOR SALE ON SUNDAY to study the races that they didn't even open to simulcast. I thought about driving up to Lebanon Raceway, about 45 minutes away but as I got in my car I just thought to myself, why in the hell to I want to work to participate in a sport and industry that couldn't give a f**k about me or my time and efforts???

So I have made the decision to quit, it's the end of the line for me in regards to the jerks that run this sport. I found today that I would have ended up $29.50 ahead (pretty normal day for me) based on the selctions I had made at TuP,CRC,and FG and was glad to see I didn't miss any big scores, but what if I had?? What if someone else who was given the bone on this day had??? I can tell you one thing that most of you know, they (the tracks) don't care!!! They couldn't care less how they inconvienence the customer and they don't care about the time and effort players put into it.

They mess up your tickets, it's your fault. The tellers are surly, apathetic, and pay little attention to detail. Last week I had to return to the window twice to fix tickets that a teller, who was more interested talking to her coworkers than serving me, had fouled up. I have to return to my table every time and like gaze at my ticket and compare it to my written seletions on my form to assure myself I am ok. I am already obsessive compulsive about getting things perfect and right and this place drives me crazy. Since September I have had to go to machines to make my 10 cent super wagers (some of my best moneymakers) because I guess my money is not worth them taking that bet at the windows.

I make probably $150 to $200 worth of wagers every Monday visit to the track. I know that's less than many bettors on here but I figured it was something more than nothing. For the last year it's been the same, every Monday. 2 four dollar cheeseburgers as well on top of the 2 dollars for the table, which the dumbass that takes the ticket for that beats me to table before I can even get there (they never miss their customer service obligations when it comes to you paying these fees, can't tell you how many people I have seen run out of empty seats because they don't have a $2 ticket, probably alienating them too.). That would be fine if they actually acted as if they gave a damn about your business after that was over with.

I think a person would have to be plum crazy to pick up a form and invest the time necessary to do well and rely on these tracks not pulling this kind of garbage. You can call me crazy after returning after I had a $100 winner cancelled out by a teller error back in May. Somehow I have actually rationalized this and used it as a lesson to always check tickets with crazy attention to detail to prevent a bigger winner being cancelled out. I am crazy for doing this as I shouldn't have to even look twice.

By getting the form Sunday, I was accepting and saying I was ok with future borderline DQ's like I got at MNR on a previous Monday. This was not a customer service issue and could be tallied as a hazard of the game. But not opening when scheduled is abother matter, no matter what excuse they have ready to give.

My message to all of you is an important one and one I hope all of you will consider. I am writing this because I know many of you are not short on gripes about the industry. Whether it be the ADW issues, drugs in the sport, high takeout rates, past posting, or poor customer service at tracks and OTB's it is the responsibility of one person to make the decision on whether it continues in a disatisfying way it does now or maybe it stands a chance to improve for the benefit of the bettors and that person is YOU.

I am convinced that this industry survives only because it operates with the benefit of a unique customer base. Most of us have a genuine love for this sport and we are proud that hard work and dedication to getting better have given us an edge over other bettors who put less time and effort into it. It is a challenge for the mind that really has no equivalent, it is a one of a kind game. I can't tell you how hard it is for me to quit, I am going to be lost on Monday's, can't tell you what I am going to be doing. I was planning on adding an occasional Friday night as well.

But I refuse to let these cretins who run this sport use my love for the sport against me. That is what they do to all of us isn't it?? They know we will be back no matter how much they piss us off with their endless BS. The next time you complain about anything regarding this sport on this board or anything else go and take a look in the mirror because you enable it to go on.

Up until yesterday I did too, but no more. Not to wish any ill will toward anyone who doesn't have any control over these issues who makes their living in the industry, but this industry deserves to meet its end, first time I have ever said that but it's true. No other business treats it customers the way this one does, with this smug additude that ," hell who cares how they feel today they will be back the day after tommorow." Well I am 28, I would think I was an asset worth keeping happy as I am not a part of the customer base that will be passing on in the next ten years or so. Well I guess not.

Loved the conversation on here in the short time I was on here, I will be back now and then and will stay tuned the next few days to see how you guys respond, but I really am done with this sport. The reason I ask you to think about whether you should continue the next time you are royally screwed by its genius leaders is because I know how hard it is to confront that issue. You really can't complain if you continue to participate and support it.

Anyone have any ideas for a good replacement hobby????...lol
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:00 PM   #2
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Roll With The Blows.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nmytwenties
I am already obsessive compulsive about getting things perfect and right and this place drives me crazy. lol
You know what's best for you and hopefully you've made the right decision.
I only played Fair Grounds yesterday and had no problems making hay.
In the meanwhile, "perfectionism" aint gonna work at the race track.
Perhaps you should take a breather and evaluate whether or not that is the way to approach this sport. Roll with the waves in this game.
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:10 PM   #3
Nmytwenties
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With the handicapping side of it aside, which I will admit it takes me longer to be accurate as I have to check and recheck things, it really benefits me at the track. I have spotted about a dozen errors on tickets since the mistake in May that I have been able to fix in time. And I don't speak with a stutter or anything either...lol...it's just apathy from the tellers, that's it. I don't know how you can avoid problems like this if your not checking things like a hawk.

Just to clarify on the OCD, I am just a freak when it comes to not losing stuff and not forgetting stuff. Basically deal with it by writing down stuff, reminders. I am not one that worries in the least about dieseses and stuff like that.
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:12 PM   #4
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take a break...........and come back after the holidays. I know you are pissed now....... but just take a break.



One thing I will say............you make very valid points. I don't disagree with much of what you say.

16 hours to handicap 5 cards? Wow!

Why aren't you playing from home? Don't you live in Ohio?

Again, relax and get through it.............
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:15 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nmytwenties



I am convinced that this industry survives only because it operates with the benefit of a unique customer base. Most of us have a genuine gambling problem and we are proud that hard work and dedication to getting better have given us an edge over other bettors who put less time and effort into it. It is a challenge for the mind that really has no equivalent, it is a one of a kind game. I can't tell you how hard it is for me to quit, I am going to be lost on Monday's, can't tell you what I am going to be doing. I was planning on adding an occasional Friday night as well.
FYP
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:19 PM   #6
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I hate to hear of another one fed up. You sound like a prime candidate for on-line wagering. I use to make that trip twice a week every week from Nashville to Kentucky to the simulcast outlet. Then it got to be 2 or 3 times pr month then I got started on the internet. Haven't been back for 4 years now. I can honestly say, I don't miss it. I have 2 wagering accounts, Philly Park, and Twin Spires and I'm a happy camper.

Maybe you could give that a shot before you give up all together.
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:28 PM   #7
Nmytwenties
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Hey badcompany,

Yeah I will take my gambling problem to a casino. Oh wait, I have never been to a casino in the 28 years I have been on this planet.

I could swear that three weeks ago I had a nice trifecta about 100 yards away from the wire and the horse on the lead broke down. Nah I wasn't the only guy who was more concerned about the welfare of horse and rider and could care less about the stupid losing ticket or anything. Nah that wasn't me it was someone else.

I am sure some folks tolerate this stuff because of a gambling problem but if you are implying that I have one you are mistaken sir and your way off base. I run my own business and put alot of effort into it and I resent the way this business the run, the lack of effort I see and the lack of care for how the customer is treated. I do have a love for the sport that will never die, I guess the concept of that is lost on you sir. I am just not going to support it with my time, effort, and money, I will just watch from afar.

To those of you telling me to take a break, I appeciate the comments. I would have probably told you the same thing prior to yesterday. I am a person of principles though, and I would be ashamed of myself if I went back on my decision. I am sure it will be one I won't regret once I find something else to do. Like I said, yesterday did it for me, no way I ever go back. Maybe I will try my luck with women again....lol.....I am really not mad, I just think what I said about toleration of these type of things is what is at the root of the inaction on the part of the industry. Why should they do anything to improve things if people like me come back again and again no matter what kind of stuff they pull.

Last edited by Nmytwenties; 12-23-2008 at 07:35 PM.
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:31 PM   #8
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The horses are obviously something you enjoy so who are you hurting by quitting? Only yourself. I agree with some of the other sentiment to take a deep breath and re-group. If it's really not fun for you anymore, then stop. That doesn't sound like the case, though.
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:42 PM   #9
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:44 PM   #10
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another frustrated and fed up US racing fan bites the dust



I wonder how many more will have to bite the dust before the US racing industry wakes up


Good post Nmytwenties imho
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:46 PM   #11
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Well, NMT, I'm in the same boat as you. I got fed up and had it up to here (hand currently horizontal over my head) and essentially gave up on racing.

Right now, I wager on average $20 per week on weekends; however, I still go to the track once in a while. For example, my friend and I might decide to pass up on Aqueduct and make the 1:15 drive to Philadelphia Park. I'll print up the Bris pp's online, plop 75 clams into my TwinSpires account, and bet Philadelphia Park on the phone. No need to deal with potentially surly tellers, no need to purchase any overpriced DRF's at Philly which still charges a 50 cent to 75 cent surcharge on the papers even though they're swimming in slots profits, no need to rise out of my seat in order to make a bet, no need to tip a teller when I score, in fact there is no need to pay for anything except food. And I do this at almost every track that I go to, you might want to try the same thing. I could give two sh*ts if the horsemen and tracks only get a fraction of the money than with an on-track wager, they should be happy that they're getting my little bit of money (which, by the way, used to be $500 to $1000 per week.) I'll never bet that kind of money on the races ever again; their greed simply disgusted me to the point that my action no longer registers a blip on the radar.

In the meantime, I still go on this board (and one other) every day and often have zero gumption to make a bet like today. Though Sunday I weakened and wagered a grand total of $2 at Northlands...turned it into $11. Woohoo!

Last edited by Zman179; 12-23-2008 at 07:51 PM.
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Old 12-23-2008, 07:57 PM   #12
Nmytwenties
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This sport never has stopped being fun for me, it was my favorite hobby. I never feel anger about losses, it's a game.

My decision is purely about customer service, or the lack thereof in this case. If I walk into a store and I am unhappy with the service, then why should I go back?? Why should the same thing not apply here. It has nothing to do with wins and losses, gambling problems, having momentary displeasure with the most recent incident, or anything else. I am just one of those people that refuse to patronize places that don't deserve my business. I drive 5 miles to a McDonald's when there is one only a 1/2 mile from where I live because the one I live closest to always fouls up the order and seems not to care one bit.

I mean you sell forms to customers for the next day but you don't open as scheduled????...WTF....I will be back one more time actually now that I think about it, to get my money for the form back.
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Old 12-23-2008, 08:08 PM   #13
Nmytwenties
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hawk - Yeah I will miss the sport and my routine, I was planning on it being my weekely routine for an indefinite amount of time, perhaps until I was old and gray. But I will get over it in time and won't have to deal with the guilt that I am not living my life by a set of principles, one of which is not to patronize businesses that seem not to give a damn about me.


Ralph - I had a giggle at your picture there, as I am sure some others on here did. I am a good sport so I will admit I chuckled. I may have a case of the goo-goo right now but I will get over it. One thing is for sure, if the things keep going as they are, the executives "leading" this sport keep on the same path they are they will need plenty of boxes of tissues when things inevitably go belly up.
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Old 12-23-2008, 08:11 PM   #14
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Im glad you giggled, because some people take this sport way to serious... it is what it is...
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Old 12-23-2008, 08:17 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ralph_the_cat
Im glad you giggled, because some people take this sport way to serious... it is what it is...

I tend to take the things i'm investing my hard earned in very seriously
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