What's GOOD about horse racing?

[RonTiller]

It's not hard to find critical commentary on the state of horse racing these days, especially on Pace Advantage: incompetent trainers, crooked jockeys, short-sighted industry executives, the new BRIS interface, HDW's expensive monthly data subscriptions, crazy posters making assorted crazy posts, whales ruining the pools, ADWs crashing. Need I go on?

What about the good things? The things we are happy about or thankful for? I don't mean snarky or sarcastic comments, like "Thank heavens for BRILLIANT industry executives." I mean honest to goodness good things. After all, people on Pace Advantage must find some reason to continue being a part of this sport and industry. Here's my "happy" list:

1. When we started, in the early to mid 90s, there was no simulcasting at all. Now, I can watch or bet at almost any track in the country.

2. I've had a chance to work with some of the smartest and hard working people anywhere.

3. I've had a chance to meet a lot of our customers, many of whom have been customers for 20 years. Without exception, its been fun, from beekeepers to retired executives to professional players to men and women who just have a blast handicapping.

4. The horses. Its easy to get lost in numbers and regressions and models and computer code. Being among the horses is always a treat.

5. The horse farms. Its easy to take for granted but here in the Lexington area, you are surrounded by horse farms and horses. Our association with some of these farms and their owners and employees shows me how much can be right with this industry, at least in their small corners.

Ron Tiller
HDW

[Red Knave]

Thanks for the reminders. 'Tis the season to give thanks and spread some joy.
All the best to you and yours and to everyone at PA.

RK

[Grits]

What an incredible thought, Ron Tiller!!! Thank you.

I continue to meet people, when I'm in New York, where I attended the races, that are great folks who still find horses to be incredible creatures, and this sport, still, greater than any other.

I'll tell you guys a story. I was in Charlestown, WV for Breeders' Cup. My friend with me--likes casinos. (Lord, help her.) After the races, she wanted me to go with her to the slots, as she'd been with me while betting the races for the two days. I've never seen so many people under one roof sitting in front of slot machines. Thousands of folks. Unbelievable, mindlessness.

I sat down at a machine, having no clue, how to play it. I learned "you just put money in and mash the button....over, and over, and over. For hours.

A young man beside me, (the target audience of fans you all say we need) excitedly announced, "I'm up $121.00".

I said to him, "how long have you been at your slot machine?"

"'Bout 5 hours", he announced happily. (I was speechless..then)

"Have you ever bet horse races? They run here, you know," I asked.

"No, I like slots. Do you bet on the horses? Do you win?"

"Yes, I do bet on horseracing. This weekend two horses that I bet to win paid over $25. I bet $50 on each horse getting back over $625 on each one. In about three minutes on just two races I paid for the weekend's food, hotel, etc with other money to take home. A good Breeders' Cup."

You've been sitting here for 5 hours and you're up $121. bucks? No, I don't like slots. There's a good reason I don't and you shouldn't either", I laughed while telling him.

"DAMN," he said, flabbergasted.... He went back to his machine. Clueless, he'll lose his $121 back, no doubt.

I lost $10 on the machine. And left. Merry Christmas, gentlemen.

[Hoops McCann]

i enjoy watching the horses run. beautiful, tremendous athletes doing something that's so basic. who can cross the finish line first. it's a thing of beauty

[AskinHaskin]

Originally Posted by RonTiller

1. When we started, in the early to mid 90s, there was no simulcasting at all.

Significant simulcasting was happening in the late 1980's, and the occasional race was simulcast as far back as in 1981.

Some even reference NYCOTB's beginning back in 1971 along the same lines.

[thaskalos]

1.) It is the only gambling game where the player can remain idle in his seat for as long as he wants...without being asked to leave the table.

2.) In which other gambling game can the player legally participate from the comfort of his own home...while still in his pajamas?

3.) It's the only form of gambling that doesn't feel like a "job". No one is tying you to a table while a dealer is hurling cards at you...forcing you to make a decision.

[HuggingTheRail]

1) I always get a parking spot close to the security gate in the horseman's parking lot

2) no lineups



OK seriously....I have been going to the track since I was a kid, and I still get a thrill each time I walk through the gate into the barn area - seeing all the preparation, the pride that all the workers have, and there's nothing like backstretch conversations....

[098poi]

Thanks Ron. Well said. Post of the year.

[DeltaLover]

Originally Posted by RonTiller

It's not hard to find critical commentary on the state of horse racing these days, especially on Pace Advantage: incompetent trainers, crooked jockeys, short-sighted industry executives, the new BRIS interface, HDW's expensive monthly data subscriptions, crazy posters making assorted crazy posts, whales ruining the pools, ADWs crashing. Need I go on?

What about the good things? The things we are happy about or thankful for? I don't mean snarky or sarcastic comments, like "Thank heavens for BRILLIANT industry executives." I mean honest to goodness good things. After all, people on Pace Advantage must find some reason to continue being a part of this sport and industry. Here's my "happy" list:

1. When we started, in the early to mid 90s, there was no simulcasting at all. Now, I can watch or bet at almost any track in the country.

2. I've had a chance to work with some of the smartest and hard working people anywhere.

3. I've had a chance to meet a lot of our customers, many of whom have been customers for 20 years. Without exception, its been fun, from beekeepers to retired executives to professional players to men and women who just have a blast handicapping.

4. The horses. Its easy to get lost in numbers and regressions and models and computer code. Being among the horses is always a treat.

5. The horse farms. Its easy to take for granted but here in the Lexington area, you are surrounded by horse farms and horses. Our association with some of these farms and their owners and employees shows me how much can be right with this industry, at least in their small corners.

Ron Tiller
HDW

None of the following are bad things for the betting game:

incompetent trainers - crooked jockeys: It is the same for all the bettors so it is up to you to take advantage of them

short-sighted industry executives: Bad for the SPORT but necessary not for its betting part.

the new BRIS interface: Yes, they ruined their interface but thank God they are not the only game in town.

HDW's expensive monthly data subscriptions: They are not expensive at all. Even if they were this would have been even better for the game as it would have limit the number of informed bettors.

crazy posters making assorted crazy posts: No comment

whales ruining the pools: Do not believe in this myth.

ADWs crashing: I never use ADW so I could not care less.


The real bad things about the game are the following:

• Too much low quality racing which causes small pools that make it difficult to place a really big bet in WIN - EXACTA - DOUBLE.
  
• Too few Allowances / Stakes to make it difficult to find enough bets if you want to make a living.
  
• Relatively high takeout.
  

The best thing about this game, is that the competition is still very soft so the EV is huge. Given the small size of the betting markets, the best gamblers prefer other games (FOREX for example) leaving open the option for somebody with the required skillet, the availability to put the necessary work and the large enough bankroll, to compete against a relatively naive crowd. (I know very well that the crowd is extremely good when assigning its odds but this is not what I mean when I say that the crowd is an easy opponent and I will not analyze it in this thread).

[Tom]

2.) In which other gambling game can the player legally participate from the comfort of his own home...while still in his pajamas?

I caught Ortiz at 5-1 in my pajamas today.
How he got in my pajamas, I'll never know!

ba dum.

[johnhannibalsmith]

To kind of echo HuggingTheRail - there's just no place like the racetrack. Sometimes its a good thing, other times not, but it can be like its own universe. A real life escape from real life.

[chiguy]

I have made some good friends over the years working at the track and an OTB. Been to weddings and funerals for people I would have not known if not for this job. Even the customers who can drive you crazy some days make up the wonderful Dickens like atmosphere of the track.

[RonTiller]

A few more of my favorite things (besides raindrops on roses):

1. Standing outside at the finish line when the horses come roaring by like a freight train, blowing up a gust of wind and noise.

2. Seeing a horse win who is owned by somebody you know.

3. Keeneland during the spring meet, with the dogwoods in full bloom.

4. Accidentally betting on the wrong horse and then that wrong horse wins.

5. Having your numbers predict the exact order of finish of a race (as infrequent as this is, its still a hoot).

6. Being the only person in the room who bet on a horse, and then that horse wins.

7. Seeing one of our customers make a big score.

Ron Tiller
HDW

[ReplayRandall]

8. Christmas season HDW specials for PA members..

[SandyW]

HTR website has been down since last night.
Any news Ron.