Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

JoelR — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:49:27 GMT

Victor Zast nails it down perfectly. As he so often does. Those two guys may be the most brilliant handicappers in history. I wouldn't know because their rat-a-tat chatter at a decibel level matched only by a Boeing 747 taking off from the paddock makes it all absolutely unintelligible, uninteresting, and a mindless interference.

I am sure these two guys,especially Sterling, are perfectly capable of running a decent presentation -- but they and NYRA have to rethink it.

Funny thing is I used to wait for Jan Rushton's comments before betting. Especially on two year old races. She continually gave out very bettable info. These guys just don't.

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

Bradgm — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:19:33 GMT

Yes I miss Harvey as well. I still go back and watch his interviews on YouTube.

Kevin, the last place handicappers should be is walking in the barn area talking to trainers et al. First there isn't access for the non licensed personnel to walk around freely. Second unless you're a personal friend of the trainer you won't get near those people and if they give you any true inside information to the negative they'd probably lose their jobs.

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

Canarse — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:05:13 GMT

If you need handicapping seminars to find your bets you aren't much of a handicapper in the first place. At least Harvey Pack made the show entertaining and every now and then something useful came of it.

I really can't think of anyone more annoying than Mr. Serling and his constant chiding of the public for betting down improbable horses. All I can think is "shut the #$&@ up!"

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

serena's song — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:25:30 GMT

agree with you, ABZ. Harvey Pack taught me alot about sensible handicapping. Will miss him.

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

RobfromBMore — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:25:18 GMT

Unfortunately, this move from the casual and personality oriented, Harvey Pack to the corporate Jason Blewitt and the other guy is a shame. I saw Harvey's show up there in Saratoga and it was funny.

Keep it casual and fun for the horseplayer.

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

Kevin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:07:22 GMT

Jason Blewitt and Andy Serling are commentators of horse racing, they are not handicappers of a horse race. A bettor deserves much more then their video gathered information which is passed of as expert knowledge.

Prior to a race, each of their picks are surrounded with the if's, what if's, can if's, might if's, etc. They tend to protect themselves, (their picks) from they having to say the bettor's famous should of, could of, would of, after a race.

When a horse that has been completely dismissed in their esteemed evaluation wins, they either pass over it very quickly or totally ignore the previous race result. The few times they do comment, a listener/viewer is left with a feeling as if there was no reason for the horse to win, that the horse should not have won, and the result of the race is inexplicable. There is no professional analysis offered.

A handicapper should be walking the barns in the AM and PM. Talk to the grooms, trainers, hot walkers, exercise riders off and on record. A handicapper's job is to provide information from the prospective not obtainable by the average better along with the obvious past performance record. This personal angle was and is a requisite of Harvey Pack and all true race handicappers, and it is what helped them to be successful and respected. When one has listened to Pack, read Pricci, and others of there kind, and compares with what is offered by the NYRA Commentators, you are left wanting by the cellulose material offered up.

So, I agree, I can say I do miss Pack also, and have much trouble with the replacements offered up, and many more questions of them that I have not addressed.

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

Bill Daly — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:07:15 GMT

Harvey Pack is probably the best personality NY racing ever had or will have. It's probably because of his irrascible nature that he isn't appreciated more by the NYRA. A pity.

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

FSF — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:46:28 GMT

Love Harvey Pack--he was THE voice of racing to me as a kid growing up near Saratoga, watching endless loops of OTB/MSG horse racing coverage, which drove my parents crazy (until they cashed in some nice exactas thanks to my picks!). I haven't lived there in a decade though, so I don't know what he's doing now. Could you fill me in?

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

JackStraw — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:28:29 GMT

Andy Serling is the Best analyst on any horse television. It might be best for you to find Harvey and enjoy a vacation with him if you can't understand or comprehend Andy's style.

Saratoga hasn't lost anything - other than a grumpy old guy who should have retired long ago.

re: Suit and Tie-Wearing Tipsters

ABZ — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:37:30 GMT

Seems like Saratoga lost just a little bit of personality this year.