I was one of those people.

Hey it was my opinion, I agreed with others who shared the same opionion.

I'm not going to kiss up to anyone and I'm not going to keep my mouth shut if I don't feel like it.

That said, I totally disagree with you here.

The night Rosario won (actually it was) 5 (wasn't it?)? I was really impressed with the race call. I thought Vic showed a lot of class and professionalism.

I guess I'm not that good of a person cause, if it had been me, I would have had a hard time doing the same.

You are that good of a person, don't sell yourself short.:)

:D

Thank you!

huh? what are you talking about?

Happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to your posts .

:)

Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

Hey if anyone is going on Sunday have a great time.

The Hollywood Derby was the first race I ever went to. It'll always be one of my favorites.

Just sayin...

Okay, carry on. :D

Which rendition?

Citrus Kid wins....

This one!!!!!

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=4-CLzG...eature=related

I like Sebastian Flyte but need to see who else goes...

In the spirit of the thread I'd like to wish you all a go f...err Happy Thanksgiving!! :)

This year could be the worst triplet of Del Mar, Oak Tree, and Hollywood Derbies I've ever seen.

Funny that nothing can be said of a day but to criticize a race caller.....Awesome!!!! Personel jealousy supercedes Doug O'Neil calling Ray Paulick in the middle of the night to revel in the fact that Kristin Mullhall had a horse pull up lame or that the track at S.A isnt done yet and they are inviting horses to train on it Dec. 7th. As for HP, really who cares, the cushion track has lost all cushion and is breaking horses down like the old track. Its a powder sand surface with rubber chunks in it and does not act at all like a "Cushion". The good note is that speed holds for the gamblers.

Yep.

I always used to really enjoy the Hollywood Derby, among those three.

So, I guess synthetics weren't the answer then for horses getting hurt.

I understand your heart is in the right place and you care deeply for the animals that run to thrill us. What track is safe? What surface in your opinion should horses run on? Every single trainer I have ever spoken to suggests that syn/rubber surfaces are no safer then dirt.. Every single one has said that the soft tissue injuries are at least as harmful as dirt. I see horses falling cornering on turf, I have seen horses take bad steps in paddocks while bearly in a cantor, I have seen them break legs kicking the friggin PADDED stall, or crack there heads trying to get at something. Frankly, the game is what it is BRUTAL. Horses run hurt, they run medicated not to hurt, they run and get cups of dirt down there throat etc. It isn't a pretty sport and someone with your vast experience should know as such and have moved past it while always understanding to maintain a certain level of responsiblity to the horse.

I very much was in favor of Rubber tracks. I believed what was said about how much safer it was. i believed if the horses wherent hurt they would race more, fields would be fuller with healthier horses.It was all a lie and that is the crux of the issue NOT that gamblers like speed.. Gamblers like to gamble.

if Poly or Tapeta, cushion, pro ride or any other these marketing miracles would have proven themselves dont you think people would be lining up to applaud ANY of them? They failed to provide a safer surface for racing.They failed to require less maintenance and lastly they failed to enhance horse health..

The rubber surfaces are best suited as an alternate surface for training in very cold places.. Perhaps NYRA will install rubber on the Belmont training track so that when it is 0 degrees on a Feb morning horses can still work on a surface that isnt frozen.

Vic: Your calls are fantastic....keep up the great work....your excitement comes right through as it's suppose to and reminds me of why I love racing so much.
Talk about over analyzing...are you promoting someone????.....give me a break.
You always call it as you see it which is all anyone can ask.
When someone wins 4 races or rides a special race they deserve to get a great call!!!!!

Freddy, that is easily the best, and most coherent post I've ever read from you.

Well said!

Although I don't bet Hollywood as much as the east coast tracks, I also appreciate Vic's calls. More importantly, I appreciate the people who post on here that are involved in some way shape or form in the industry. So whether its Andy, Chuck, Steve, Vic, etc. offering their insights into the game it certainly adds more appeal to this forum. Furthermore it's fine to disagree with them, but to treat any of them with disrespect is uncalled for.

Esp. when they dont function like a synthetic surface anymore.