SHUT UP Mountaineer handicappers

[Dave Schwartz]

I do not play Mountaineer often because I usually play day tracks. However, when I do, Mark & Nancy are about the only handicappers I actually leave on to listen to until post time.

I kind of like the "two old friends collaborating" thing.

Of course, with the "other guys" that I don't enjoy near as much, God invented the mute button.

[mountainvalleypete]

The fact that Mountaineer now only has 22 minutes in between each race does not help matters. I spoke to a track official back in March about it, and he/she said that the 22 minute intervals were because of the cold weather. That excuse has since proven to be false. I personally believe the old 25 minute interval is perfect for any track.
If anyone should be complaining about this whole situation though, it should be those of us who are frequently on-track sitting at TV's having to run to the teller to make our bets. That said, as much as I respect what a great job Mark and Nancy do, they rarely talk me off the horses I like.

[molson721]

Originally Posted by mountainman

God knows, I'm not perfect, and the guy has a legit point. But For better or worse, I could never do superficial analysis. Even after 15 years on the show, most races still enthuse me and present subtleties that require local knowledge and just can't be illuminated in 20 seconds.

Also, it has always been our custom to cover every horse. In addition, predicting tote moves and corrections is undoubtedly one of my strong-suits, and I have to stay WITH the board action to remark on it.

To be honest, my success as a tv analyst has always surprised me, because my handicapping style and philosophies don't lend themselves to concise presentation. It's things like trainer intent, track bias, race conditions and riding strategy that hopefully separate me from some other talking heads. And those elements can't be covered in 30 seconds.

So if you like standard blow-by analysis ( the 3 has speed , the 6 is consistent, blah blah blah) ours will never be your favorite show. But, again, the gentleman DOES have a legitimate gripe, and we will try to get out sooner. Either way, thanks for the comments, and thanks for watching.

Thanks for understanding what I said in my post. The mount is the only place where I listen to commentary of a race because I am not as familiar with the track as others I play but it is difficult to use what you both have said without a few minutes before post to digest it all. I don't want to mute you like some suggested I should do, I just want some time to consider your insights with maybe 3 minutes to post and not when they start loading the horses like has happened on occasion. I enjoy you and Nancy despite what some people think is an attack on you.
Peter is also great as a race caller. Thanks to both of you for coming here and listening to the fan.

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by RarifiedAir

Hi Mark. Just allow me to say... YOU ROCK! Ditto Nancy. I have nothing but praise and have been watching probably since you and Nancy started. Outstanding!

Ok Mark... a question. Don't feel you have to answer. I remember a long while back now. It was the 2nd to last race. You were all over an 8-1 (or so) shot really talking it up. Well that 8-1 dominated late and won easy. BUT... an inquiry came up and that horse got DQed. I watched that and no way should that have been a DQ. Well you didn't come on for the last race it was just Nancy. I thought you got robbed and maybe needed that time to cool down. Or maybe not. Still something I remember for some reason.

tx, dude..i was bummed out, for sure, but the reason for my departure was business in the racing office. I also serve as mnr's ast racing secretary..

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by molson721

Let me first start off by saying I like to listen to the Mountaineer race analysts discuss the race. I have one problem, WHY MUST THEY DISCUSS THEIR HANDICAPPING THOUGHTS UNTIL THERE IS 1 MINUTE TO POST? Is there any other track that has handicappers express their opinions and pick the race so close to post time. I wager online but how does this help me when they talk so long about their selections until there is 1 minute to post or less? I have been told they read and post here so please listen to me. SHUT UP when there are 5 minutes to post so I can digest your thoughts. I can't use them if you talk till they are about to load in the gate. Name a track where the analysts keep discussing the race so close to post time. Am I asking too much?

If you were winning you wouldn't care if they wore grass skirts and did the watusi long into the night.

Handicap better. You won't need to manufacture scapegoats.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by mountainman

God knows, I'm not perfect, and the guy has a legit point. But For better or worse, I could never do superficial analysis. Even after 15 years on the show, most races still enthuse me and present subtleties that require local knowledge and just can't be illuminated in 20 seconds.

Also, it has always been our custom to cover every horse. In addition, predicting tote moves and corrections is undoubtedly one of my strong-suits, and I have to stay WITH the board action to remark on it.

To be honest, my success as a tv analyst has always surprised me, because my handicapping style and philosophies don't lend themselves to concise presentation. It's things like trainer intent, track bias, race conditions and riding strategy that hopefully separate me from some other talking heads. And those elements can't be covered in 30 seconds.

So if you like standard blow-by analysis ( the 3 has speed , the 6 is consistent, blah blah blah) ours will never be your favorite show. But, again, the gentleman DOES have a legitimate gripe, and we will try to get out sooner. Either way, thanks for the comments, and thanks for watching.

IMO changing ANYTHING about the format would be a mistake. The show is excellent. Keep up the great work.

[VeryOldMan]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

If you were winning you wouldn't care if they wore grass skirts and did the watusi long into the night.

Handicap better. You won't need to manufacture scapegoats.

This

I've previously posted that I don't particularly care for Mountaineer's racing - but Mark and Nancy are extremely insightful about their product. Extremely. Listen to them and learn if you want to handicap Mountaineer.

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by Dave Schwartz

I do not play Mountaineer often because I usually play day tracks. However, when I do, Mark & Nancy are about the only handicappers I actually leave on to listen to until post time.

I kind of like the "two old friends collaborating" thing.

Of course, with the "other guys" that I don't enjoy near as much, God invented the mute button.

an endorsement from you means much, sir

[Stillriledup]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

IMO changing ANYTHING about the format would be a mistake. The show is excellent. Keep up the great work.

You know the old saying, if you are staying the same, youre getting worse or something like that. The OP had a suggestion, why just toss it aside and act offended? Maybe the OP was abrasive with the way he posted, but isnt the idea to have the best show possible and look to improve anyway you can? Im sure if Mark thought he could improve something he would look into improving it.

[VeryOldMan]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

IMO changing ANYTHING about the format would be a mistake. The show is excellent. Keep up the great work.

+1

[VeryOldMan]

Originally Posted by Stillriledup

Maybe the OP was abrasive with the way he posted, but isnt the idea to have the best show possible and look to improve anyway you can? Im sure if Mark thought he could improve something he would look into improving it.

Fair point - at what point before post time should the mike be shut down completely for track handicappers?

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

IMO changing ANYTHING about the format would be a mistake. The show is excellent. Keep up the great work.

when a guy with YOUR resume posts this, it's a good day for me-whatever else happens...my deep respect for your accomplishments and skills is well documented on this forum

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by VeryOldMan

This

I've previously posted that I don't particularly care for Mountaineer's racing - but Mark and Nancy are extremely insightful about their product. Extremely. Listen to them and learn if you want to handicap Mountaineer.

many tx, my friend

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by molson721

Thanks for understanding what I said in my post. The mount is the only place where I listen to commentary of a race because I am not as familiar with the track as others I play but it is difficult to use what you both have said without a few minutes before post to digest it all. I don't want to mute you like some suggested I should do, I just want some time to consider your insights with maybe 3 minutes to post and not when they start loading the horses like has happened on occasion. I enjoy you and Nancy despite what some people think is an attack on you.
Peter is also great as a race caller. Thanks to both of you for coming here and listening to the fan.

no offense was taken, sir...and tx for the input

[Stillriledup]

Originally Posted by VeryOldMan

Fair point - at what point before post time should the mike be shut down completely for track handicappers?

The op's suggestion has some merit, players do like to concentrate with the horses walking to the gate, but much of the money bet on mountain is bet from people in their living rooms, which means the chatter at 0 mtp is never a problem because anyone at home can mute anything anytime they want.

Maybe the OP and one other person cares about this issue, i would imagine more people want to hear the analysis till the very end, so if they changed anything it would be to accomodate only a small handful of people.

If mtn got 500 e mails on this subject thats one thing, but the OP is prob the only person in America who has a gripe w this, and you know that you cant please everyone. I guess the idea is to please as many people as you can while staying true to doing what you believe is the right thing to do.