Jump Race Voucher
 

Apparently vouchers were issued for the jump races yesterday to sports writers to create interest in the hoppers at Saratoga. Andy decided to give any proceeds to charity along with Harvey Pack. It seems to me this would have been the best promotion for everyone, and horse racing in general.

Which part? Giving the $ to charity? No argument here. . . The whole thing was stupid and just made the steeplechase people look bad.

Yes, the promo should have been the proceeds go to charity.

What money? Do you think they actually were going to bet the winners?

so why not give it to charity, we know they can't(don"t) bet the hoppers

Turf writers are a charity of sorts...

Auggie
 

I think Steve could give up dressing up as Auggie, But I think Andy should give up the the dunce cap and instead dress up as Auggie if his picks don''''''''t hit

I totally disagree. It was designed to get writers/cappers who overlook the jump action to actually give the race some attention. It was designed to promote some fun and chatter/buzz and did it's job.

I hadn't given the hoppers a serious going-over in years, and I did so Wednesday/Thursday getting the winner with the Most Likely tab Wed. and Best Value selection today. I didn't use the voucher as I was doing something before the first yesterday and couldn't get away, but the majority of media outlet types that were included thought it was a novel gesture.

Only one utter phony took a vocal stand against the concept.. a sour, unhappy, small person who claimed to be above taking the voucher but cheerily walked out of a NSA Golf Outing last year with a swag gift bag worth more than $300. Also consumes press box lunches at Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct. Maybe 300 of them a year at $5 or $6/day?

Verne Troyer?

The box lunch at $5 per is the best value of the NYRA eating options... (obviously not counting Carolina BBq and house of Pies)

The people I talked to didn't like it - but I think I may have talked to who you're referring to. Unfortunately, I wasn't up there at the time or I would've taken the thing. Seems a little bribey to me, though, and it seems odd that they only gave it out to media people.

"TRIPPED UP: I've never been a fan of steeplechase racing, but yesterday I was insulted when executives of the National Steeplechase Association passed out $50 betting vouchers to members of the press before yesterday's first jump race. Can you say bribe? I rightfully turned it down, but several other writers took the $50 voucher. Some claimed they would donate the money to charity, which I doubt. While others said truthfully, "Charity begins at home." I hope the NSA got its money's worth of positive reviews. Pathetic! "


I wipe my a$$ with the Daily News.

Steve, I heard the segment with Lou, and I found nothing wrong with the whole thing. Nothing wrong with trying to draw a little interest in the jumpers by passing out a few vouchers, no matter if it was too the press, or even the fans. It seemed to me like a harmless promotion, and I think it was wonderful of Andy to offer up his potential winnings to charity. The whole bribery thing is ridiculous, Lou is doing a fine job and I hope you have him on again soon.
Michael

Didn't I see......
 

Jerry B. in that infamous England golfing photo with Jack Abramoff?:rolleyes: