Seven Racetrack Characters to Avoid!

[andymays]

http://www.thatsamorestable.net/blog/?p=341

Excerpt:

On good days, the racetrack is full of interesting, Runyonesque characters.
But you know it, and I know it - there are some characters you’re best served avoiding, if not because of any particular danger they pose then because being near them will probably ruin your otherwise good day. Herewith, the comprehensive guide to characters to avoid at the races:

1. Snapping Guy — you know, that guy who stands near the rail and snaps when the horses round the turn for home. Snapping? Really? What does that accomplish? Just… just stop it, dude.

For the 6 other characters to avoid go to:

http://www.thatsamorestable.net/blog/?p=341

[lamboguy]

years ago at sulfolk downs , i used to see the guy called "tony the tout". he walked around with his binoculars every day and touted people on horses to bet. if they won, he came back to them and was looking for a handout. if they lost he went looking for new guys to fetch. he was good at what he did, he never worked a day in his life and had a tan. when sulfolk became a dead entity he moved his tack to the souther florida circuit, hialeah, calder and gulfstream. he died about 5 years ago.

the old days at gulfstream were filled with groups of people, downstairs in the clubhouse there was a boston contingency, a chicago mob, and new york cheesecake guys. i hung out at the top of the escalator next to the $50 window with jimmy the greek. i always wore shorts, and i got knicknamed "shortpants", but there were lots of knicknames at the track like "jerry the roach" or "jimmy the weasel" or "harvey one eyes"

[andymays]

Originally Posted by lamboguy

years ago at sulfolk downs , i used to see the guy called "tony the tout". he walked around with his binoculars every day and touted people on horses to bet. if they won, he came back to them and was looking for a handout. if they lost he went looking for new guys to fetch. he was good at what he did, he never worked a day in his life and had a tan. when sulfolk became a dead entity he moved his tack to the souther florida circuit, hialeah, calder and gulfstream. he died about 5 years ago.

the old days at gulfstream were filled with groups of people, downstairs in the clubhouse there was a boston contingency, a chicago mob, and new york cheesecake guys. i hung out at the top of the escalator next to the $50 window with jimmy the greek. i always wore shorts, and i got knicknamed "shortpants", but there were lots of knicknames at the track like "jerry the roach" or "jimmy the weasel" or "harvey one eyes"

Some characters are very annoying but I agree with you that most of them make the experience at the track a little more interesting. Especially when you're on of them.

They are a disappearing breed as are most people at the live track.

[Robert Goren]

He forgot the "every race is fixed" guy. He screams after every a race " Boat Race" He actually tries to out guess the "fixers" when he bets. If you hang around him very long, he will make you a believer.

[only11]

Originally Posted by Robert Goren

He forgot the "every race is fixed" guy. He screams after every a race " Boat Race" He actually tries to out guess the "fixers" when he bets. If you hang around him very long, he will make you a believer.

What about the guy whos yelling.."Come on 4 come 4 come 4...and all of a sudden the 3 wins...and the guys yells out yeeeeeeeeessss...i have the the 3 collldddd!!"

[lamboguy]

Originally Posted by Robert Goren

He forgot the "every race is fixed" guy. He screams after every a race " Boat Race" He actually tries to out guess the "fixers" when he bets. If you hang around him very long, he will make you a believer.

you used to get all kinds back then, i sound like my grandpa now, boy have times changed. i went to the racetrack every day of my life, or was in some casino sitting in a horseroom. today, i sit at home behind a computer and bet at 10 different tracks all at the same time, and have never tipped a teller once in the last decade. i only make it to the track once or twice a year, i live 20 minutes from sulfolk and haven't stepped for in the place since the masscap that offlee wild beat funnycide in. that was the first time i saw funnycide in person since he was a baby before he ever ran, and the only reason i went was because my wife wanted to go backside to see him

[Tom]

My favorite is the program whipper. He whips his leg with his program like he is riding the horse down the stretch.

[andymays]

Another version of the "finger snapper" is the "smoocher" who makes the kissing sound when his horse gets in contention.

Both of those things drive me insane and I have to walk away.

[onefast99]

Originally Posted by Tom

My favorite is the program whipper. He whips his lef with his program like he riding the horse down the stretch.

They are known as paper jocks, each one has a different style. The best is when they lose the "paper whip" in mid stretch and resort to the hand slapping on the hip, priceless.

[only11]

Originally Posted by onefast99

They are known as paper jocks, each one has a different style. The best is when they lose the "paper whip" in mid stretch and resort to the hand slapping on the hip, priceless.

What about the jamaican....classic...sooooooouuuuuuuup jooooocccckkkkeeyyyy!

[PhantomOnTour]

I dislike the guy who begins rooting for his horse (or jockey) as soon as the gates open....good Lord.

And they're off...

"C'mon with this 2 boy! C'mon with this horse boy"...and on and on. The rooting gets louder and more fervent with every passing furlong. I got so annoyed one day that I began to shout for another horse, even though I had no bet. Dude would not stop about his 2 horse, so when he got beat I let this out:

"Ha! It was the 8 so you straight donate!!"


PS-I would be a liar if i said I didn't root my horse home, but I have some rules for this. It had better be a good score for me to get vocal. If I stand to get back 15 or 20-1 on my investment for the race I may get vocally involved. Gets really comical when I root from home with no one around.

[kenwoodall2]

If I think I am getting too noisy I just go to the outside seating where I can be alone!

[goforgin]

Originally Posted by andymays

Another version of the "finger snapper" is the "smoocher" who makes the kissing sound when his horse gets in contention.

Both of those things drive me insane and I have to walk away.

I resemble that remark. In addition to the "kisser", I also have the "clicker" going on too (clicking the tongue off the roof of your mouth). My dog doesn't care for it either.

[PhantomOnTour]

What is your winning catch phrase? Ya know, when your horse has it wrapped up and it's clear that you will win...whaddaya say? I've heard many:

"I'll ride him from here"
"Now look for the wire"
"That's me!"
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeasy race"


Shamefully, I have been heard saying, "They don't want you!"

[Learned Hand35]

One of the comments after the blog is pretty good:

"I’ll never forget the guy who was telling people that Lasix is when the horse gets laser corrective eye surgery so they can see better when they are running (and he wasn’t joking)."