Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

JerseyTom — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 19:22:57 GMT

Shandler! Nice of you to drop by. How can you attack my cooking when you've enjoyed it on several occasions? And stop picking on Claire.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

J Shandler — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 05:20:29 GMT

I agree, Tom is a terrible handicapper. But as bad as he is at handicapping he is a worse cook, driver, dresser, baseball fan, and pet owner. He has many flaws.

As for Claire, she has too many flaws to mention on one page. Hahahahaha!!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

Pedigree Ann — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 19:40:29 GMT

One more thing to go HMMM about-

The CHRB chairman who let Stronach, et. al., take over the Oak Tree meeting is leaving the board to ... (wait for it) ... 'join the Stronach' organization.' Why does this smell so bad?

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

Bill Two — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:25:05 GMT

Hey Tom, don't get bent out of shape over this guy. There's always room for a difference of opinion. Trying to pick winners of contentious major races days in advance is problematic at best. People have to understand this. Opinions are what makes horse racing the great game it is, but I don't think it's fair to criticize you in this way. For what it's worth, good luck.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

chicago-linny — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 02:51:03 GMT

Way to go Claire! Tom is great but your the best!

I simply do not bet on any track in PA. Indeed, the takeout is just too high. when will these tracks learn?

I love horse racing but there has to be changing quickly for it to survive. We need someone to step up. We must have a central voice, a national leader or organization, to work as one on a single mission to improve the sport.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

Claire Novak — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:06:58 GMT

woodshade - anyone who thinks I'm a better handicapper than Tom LaMarra needs to have their head examined.

Tom has played more $$ at the races than I'll probably play in my entire life. And he devotes a hell of a lot more time to handicapping than I ever do.

As much as I appreciate your support, I'm also a Turf Writer, so I'm not sure why you think I'm a better candidate to handicap on the show.

You've had your say behind a fake name without having the guts to talk to Tom in person. Way to go. Hopefully that gives you some degree of satisfaction, because nothing is going to change.

My advice to you is simple: Get a life.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

woodshade — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:04:31 GMT

Jersey Tom, I believe I only sent one email to a Mitchell man and never said you "suck" at handicapping. Believe the word was "terrible". Never asked for you to canned from the Blood Horse. Just removed from THS. And your record proves why.

At the end of your show it says

Hosted by: Tom LaMarra

Produced by: You and Alex Cutadean. So I'm wrong about who

produces the show?

You are a Turf Writer, not a handicapper. If the Mitchell's want to keep you on the show, so be it. They are doing a disservice

to the fans who are looking for some good advice. Man up and let

Claire take over.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

JerseyTom — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:47:59 GMT

woodshade: I don't know who you are, but you've had your say, including sending emails to my boss saying I suck at handicapping and should be canned.

Here's the deal: People who know me (you don't) know my bread and butter: I invest my money on tracks such at Turfway Park. I'm a modest-race handicapper that focuses on a few tracks. I do fairly well.

I am not co-producer. I handicap races. We provide a service, and that service doesn't allow me to say who I like at my tracks on a given weekend. We handicap major races ... days in advance by the way, with no idea of track condition, scratches, etc.

You noted I was minus $500 in 2012, which is true, but you were nowhere to be found when I was up $400 in 2011. So what is your point?

If you want to bitch about my handicapping, call me (859-276-6795, a direct line). Love to talk to you. But use your brain as other readers have and discuss the important issues at hand in this blog. The industry's future depends on it.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

JerseyTom — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:21:06 GMT

An addendum to "upset of the year," since the information was received after the blog was posted. ... The Meadows Casino & Racetrack in PA reported total handle gain of 15% in 2012.

As stated I believe the PA takeout rates stink, and the gains in handle could be because The Meadows has finally settled on the right schedule of day and night racing each week.

That said, having been there multiple times, it is a very nice facility with a consistent year-round product and people on staff who do give a bleep about racing. I guess the numbers suggest there is something to be said for that.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

JerseyTom — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:44:55 GMT

STLdustin: Good observation. The industry throws numbers around but apparently doesn't know how much handle is siphoned by offshore shops.

We do know Churchill Downs Inc. has opened a rebate shop on the Isle of Man. We do know the horsemen, after years of screaming about rates, have been silent for a few years now. We do know the industry, collectively, shows no interest in addressing the issue. And we do know stakeholders in the industry will suck up every dime they can get.

So one can conclude people are making money? Well, maybe, but the average player is not.

Thanks for the insight. I'll put this one on our list of potential stories for 2013.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

@STLdustin — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:34:47 GMT

How much of the $4B drop in handle is a direct result of online wagering with offshore books? I'd venture to say at least 50%. Why is this not being discussed? I live in St. Louis and I literally have no other choice than to bet with Bovada or another offshore book (TVG and TwinSpires are not available in the state of MO). Why can't we get legislation passed to keep the money in this country?!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

woodshade — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:05:42 GMT

The thing thats makes me go Hmmmm

is the fact that your still on THS. Come on Tom, You were well over a -$500.00 loss for 2012. And it has been many many weeks since you have even had a winner. Whats up! Because you are co-producer you think you have to be on the show and like seeing your face. Lets face it, you are "NO" handicapper and you should save the Blood-Horse and your self from looking bad. There are other people that can be put on the show with Pete. Man up, do the right thing and get off the show.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

Douglas Amos — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 01:02:58 GMT

The non-competitive funeral processions occurring currently in NY are exactly what Andrew the Great needs to get rid of racing and consummate a full-fledged relationship with the casinos.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

Pedigree Ann — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:56:25 GMT

The Jerome keeping G2 status, despite leaving the track (Belmont) and time of year (Fall Championship Meet) that allowed it to earn that rating is a farce. Does anyone think that a G2-type field of 3YOs would assemble in NY in the dead of winter on the Inner? The Graded Stakes Committee is asleep at the switch and has been for a decade at least.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

predict — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 07:26:59 GMT

Back in the 60s when I first began betting on horses the minimum bet for win, place or show was $2. Today that minimum still remains the same. Sure you can bet more if you like, but seriously, how much excitement does a $2 bet generate today, as compared to the result in the 60s when $2 could actually buy 8 gallons of gas for example, today not even a gallon. Just to keep up with inflation the minimum bet today should be $20, doing this would most likely be seen as a death move for racing, but it's dying anyway, so why not make a bet a little more exciting in terms of what is at stake, and maybe, just maybe, it might create a little more interest in horse racing. And while they're at it, get rid of the 10-cent exotic wagers. It's the old expression, "you get what you pay for". ....just thinking out loud here.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

Jim Swaps — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 04:06:05 GMT

The powers that be seem totally clueless and oblivious to how confiscatory the takeout is.

A more moderate takeout of say, 10% across all wagers, would bring back hoards of BIG MONEY players that have fled the game.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

Bill Two — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:27:01 GMT

Can't believe the Jerome can keep its graded status. What are these guys thinking in NY? Who decided the race should be run at this time of year? Why?

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (12)

Old Old Cat — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:23:47 GMT

I agree with your assessment of Maryland racing. When I bred my mare a few years ago, I went to Pennsylvania because it seemed stable. Maryland was constantly fighting with politicians, racetrack owners, and the horsemen. My trainer said she was not going to train because of the uncertain future, we didn't know if Maryland would be racing in 2012 or beyond. For people who depended on the track for their daily existance the mood was depressing. Fortunately the situation has changed and the future looks promising. My mare is pregnant with a foal that will be Maryland bred, (not by me but by a friend), and we have 10 years of stability to look forward to.

I think some of the problems you are addressing need less-fractured government involvement (in Maryland, Kentucky, New York, California, etc..) and perhaps a governing body that decides racing dates and policy independent of which political pickpockets are the flavor of the month.

Horse racing has seen its betting popularity decline from the days when bingo halls were the only competition to today where the lotteries and casinos offer people a quicker gambling fix, simpler betting methods, and more tax income to the states.

You are right that the racing industry has to wake up to the wolf at the door. Everybody knows there's a problem, somebody should fix it, but nobody is going to do nothing... (intentional double negative)