I'm not a doctor, but I do play one on a popular message board.

Honestly? I think anyone that claims they make money by looking at horses physically is almost certainly lying. As my friend the wise guy says, and he is as strong an expert at the physical observation of horses as there is, " they still have to have the engine ". Could a very adept eye, along with astute handicapping skills, be an advantage? Yes, but the combination is extremely rare in this business. However, what isn't rare, are people that say they win....and don't.

I'm a believer in sticking to your strengths, and one of mine is NOT having any understanding of body language, so I ignore it. And, frankly, unless you know how a horse has looked in its past starts, its appearance on one day is irrelevent.

yeah.....but did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night??

I'm gonna be somebody, one of these days I'm gonna break these chains
I'm gonna be somebody, someday, you can bet your hard earned dollar I will

Cutest pics ever... :D

Well, I'm glad to be very well-acquainted with one if what you speak of is so rare. I really thought that more people could tell about these kinds of things, but they obviously can't. I guess that it is just one of those skills that you either possess from the get-go or you don't.

Obviously, we're talking about betting, but I do know a lot of people that make money off of looking at horses all of the time in other aspects of the horse industry.

I can somewhat agree with that statement. Usually, if I see a horse that I really like in the paddock or post parade based on those factors that I listed, I immediately go to the PPs and vice versa...if I see one in the PPs that I really like, I make sure that I get a good look at them in the paddock or post parade. When I look at a horse in a race, body language can be the breaking point, but it most certainly is not the total picture. I rely heavily on the race replays or the workouts from the two-year old sales too.

Ever seen a photo of Kelso? A ewe-neck is only one of his 'faults'. Dr. Fager, it is said, paddled like a duck. His Felinity, Cougar II, didn't stretch out when he hit full stride - his head was held high and his knees came up like a trotter breaking stride. Lots of horses had better action, better conformation, but these horses ran faster and (believe it or not) sounder than most of them.

When I won at the state, national, and world levels, I won lots of scholarships and savings bonds. I'm sad that it's over with. I guess I have to stick to being a Volunteer Leader now, but I like doing that:)

Hahahaha!!! LMAO

I find this perfectly reasonable.

If one can somehow keep track of, and be willing to admit a strength or weakness in a certain area of playing horses, one will be more likely to find a winning pattern (or for most of us, a pattern in which we do not lose as much). I think its kind of funny because its like cheating in golf playing alone. Someone comes in a says they broke par but they can ignore that mulligan on that horrible chip. Or that putt they did over because it hit a small unseen stick. Its really not being honest with yourself, which I find bizarre even though it may be a widespread characteristic.

pillow is in the cat litter again... someone pull him out

Those statements with those pictures are very amusing.

best leave him there..wouldn't want to pull him out before he is finished doing his business

I wonder if she gets the piss shivers?

I have a dog, I don't have a cat...for God's sake would someone tell me what "piss shivers" are???????????????

I swear I thought I was through with this thread, and here I am at midnight killing over with laughs again.

Pillow you ain't right. I swear you're not. Where do you get this stuff?

LOLOLOL

Balletto's alter ego here:D

:D :D

OMG, this is truly the funniest thread ever.

Let's get back on topic here...

1. Xchanger
2. Rutledge Cat
3. Teuflesberg
4. UD Ghetto
5. Grapelli

Spoil sport!


Wait a sec.....I just read your list. Thanks for staying on board.

LOL

Andy, you are on fire the last couple days.

That list looked like the line-up for the 2007 Kentucky Derby in Hell.



Do you ever read the Esquire Dubious Achievement Awards? They always have one category that is " Now Showing at the Hell-Plaza Octoplex " where they list the most ridiculous movies of the year.

I've missed the Esquire DA Awards, but that first line was still damn funny.

Sometimes I find myself looking at the tote board before a race and wonder who in the hell is actually putting money on a horse that is hopelessly overmatched (on the board at 20-1 and should be 2000-1)....thankfully, I don't have to wonder anymore.

Sorry to exercise right of response so late, but really, there are LOADS of sports that operate without betting revenues. What exactly makes horseracing so different? Other sports manage to fund multimillion dollar stadiums. Why? Because of their massive fan base and appeal and the fact that people watch the sport and exert so much pressure on local governments that they put themselves in debt to keep local constituencies happy. Nothing wrong with betting revenues, and yes, they currently support the sport. I'm just suggesting that horseracing, by making betting king, is equating itself to slots...and there's no sport in slots, however much money it generates. People need heroes and human interest stories. When more than 100,000 show up in the pouring rain to watch Funny Cide as they did, it wasn't betting that brought them out, and their support does help the sport. If TV ratings are not important, why does DRF report on them after every single Derby/Preakness/Belmont? Why is Superbowl advertising so important? But don't worry, I'm sure you all are right that betting is all that matters to horseracing's future success. Big handles, big purses, and no TV audience and everything is great...the sport is in full freefall, but of course the current model is working...

The day i walk into the sports authority and see as many horsey jerseys as football jerseys will be the day blackthroatedwind sees spooky mulder in the HOF.

i can hear it now "Our top selling jersey this year is Stormello - not Carmello"

You are very confused about what makes horseracing work as a day to day business.

Major league sports have substantial broadcasting revenues that racing can never have.

Major league sports derive substantial revenue from ticket sales that racing can never have save a few days a year.

Racing is funded almost solely by takeout from wagering, though now slot money has also been added to the mix, and if you think that racetracks that run even mildly significant meets can survive without gambling you are mistaken. Completely mistaken.

What racetracks need to do is find a better way to educate their fans about wagering. Any fan that does better, or in most cases less poorly, will be inclined to bet more and enjoy him or herself more. This is how they can improve their business ( and, no, I am not suggesting this is easy....but having know-nothing talking heads on between races sure isn't helping ). If someone wants to pay the general admission and walk the grounds, not bet, and enjoy their day that is their prerogative, but make no mistake....they are doing VERY little to help the game.

Tee-hee-hee :D :D :D

"Lets go Street Sense!! *clap clap- clap clap clap* Let's go Street Sense!"

"Booooo!! Hey Pletcher wake up ******* you just won the Derby! Someone check for a pulse!!! You suck!!"

"We will, we will cash tickets!! *clap clap clap- clap clap clap* We will, we will....cash tickets!! *air guitar solo*"

I repeat: no one is proposing banning gambling at the tracks. I am not arguing that we should be discouraging gambling (for heaven's sake).

Yes, gambling is extremely important in order to maintain horseracing in its current state. I'm just very doubtful that your emphasis on gambling can safeguard its future. If you feel that horseracing has reached its maximum potential for popularity, ticket sales, and broadcasting in the 21st century, that's your opinion and you're entitled to it...but I disagree.

Enlighten me....tell me exactly how racing is going to fund itself in addition to betting revenue and slot revenue. I would love to hear your ideas....seriously.

Well I see where you're coming from on the promoting aspect of the sport. I, for one, have always thought an entertainer like Ludacris would be great to have in a scenario like the derby post parade. Have Luda rap about the horses and their connections instead of the track announcer. Also he can put in a few plugs for Pepsi and other corporate sponsors like Smith & Wesson and Proactiv.

Having someone like Luda promoting the sport would give the game the mass appeal it desperately needs. Maybe have Green Day perform during the presentation ceremony.

I tell you what, having Emmanuelle Beart present the trophy at the 2005 Arc did quite a bit for me!

LMFAO... I'd actually pay good money to see that.