$5.50 for this?

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

Why do we moan on a daily basis about gas prices going to $4.00 a gallon, when we are paying $5.50 for the paper they refer to as the DAILY RACING FORM? How long ago was it just $4, and $3.50 on track? It couldn't have been that long ago. Now, don't get me wrong, I like the articles but they could be read for free (most of them anyway) online. And call me a nitpicker, but is anyone else getting tired of the insane amount of errors in this thing? What the hell is 5/16 medication? Did anyone else see that yesterday or was that just special for my FORM? Why is it that they can't get the appropriate trainer stats correct ALL THE TIME? Is it too much to ask that if a horse is running with blinkers for the first time that the trainer's stats for 1st time blinkers appear in the PP's ALL THE TIME? How about some additional improvements? Why not have the M/L next to the horses name in the PP's so I don't need to spend the 1st half an hour I sit down with the FORM transposing them from the Graded Entries? How about listing the conditions of the race on top of each page the race is associated with? Why not add somewhere if the race is 1 turn or 2 turns? Is it a secret that only the most knowledgeable horseplayer is allowed to know how many turns are in a race at all of the different racetracks throughout the country?

And finally, the CLOSER LOOK. Is it me or are these guys just mailing it in at this point? I will do my best to keep the players a secret because they may be friends of your's and I know they come on Steve's show every now and again. But the content is poor at best. Pochman is most definately the most entertaining and supplies the most useful information. But the collection behind him leave something to be desired. I used to pick on Jan Rushton because her segment on the NYRA broadcast used to consist of reading the CLOSER LOOK to the fans at the track and at home. But even she must find the content useless because I've actually seen her taking the time to gather information on her own from trainers in the paddock. Here is my latest example of the offense. I wont say who, what horse excetera, but this is pathetic.

In referencing the performance over a racing surface the writer notes that the horse's performance over this specific track was "not very strong". The horse had two races over the surface. The last time he raced over the track the horse lost his jock. The first time he ran over the surface was his 2nd lifetime race, a MSW for 2YO's, where he went off at 20-1 + odds and finished third, 4 1/2 lengths behind a horse that won a G2 stakes race the following year. Do you think this guy even took the time to look at why his record was such over the surface?

$5.50 for a newspaper that doesn't even give you what you deserve, that's offensive.

1. The DRF isn't what it used to be? Probably true print version but then again is your Sunday paper as good as it was 15 years ago?

2. Their product is deteriorating? Aside from print, DRF has a great product in Formulator. They obviously have a segmented approach. A thinned down print version for casual players and Formuator for the other folks. If you have not used Formulator, give it a spin.

3. The writing is poor? Yes, see #1. I, for one, long for the short but sweet days of The Racing Times. It was a sad day for us when Fox fell -- or was pushed -- off that boat.

4. If you find the DRF print version fairly not useful, aside from the PPs, get them for free from Youbet (or Bris PPs for free from TwinSpires). If you like some public handicapper insight and play the major tracks, I'm sure the NY, LA and KY papers will have that.

5. Take the savings and get a Race Replays account. At $60 for 90 days, that's about $.75 a day, not very much money really.

6. Morning Line? I don't know what to say.

If you took a step back and considered how much you have to spend, what some of the options are and how to spend it the wisest, you might be pleasantly surprised at how much bang you can get for that $5.50 a day, even if it's only a couple days a week.

I do really miss The Racing Times.

[NoLuvForPletch]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

1. The DRF isn't what it used to be? Probably true print version but then again is your Sunday paper as good as it was 15 years ago?

2. Their product is deteriorating? Aside from print, DRF has a great product in Formulator. They obviously have a segmented approach. A thinned down print version for casual players and Formuator for the other folks. If you have not used Formulator, give it a spin.

3. The writing is poor? Yes, see #1. I, for one, long for the short but sweet days of The Racing Times. It was a sad day for us when Fox fell -- or was pushed -- off that boat.

4. If you find the DRF print version fairly not useful, aside from the PPs, get them for free from Youbet (or Bris PPs for free from TwinSpires). If you like some public handicapper insight and play the major tracks, I'm sure the NY, LA and KY papers will have that.

5. Take the savings and get a Race Replays account. At $60 for 90 days, that's about $.75 a day, not very much money really.

6. Morning Line? I don't know what to say.

If you took a step back and considered how much you have to spend, what some of the options are and how to spend it the wisest, you might be pleasantly surprised at how much bang you can get for that $5.50 a day, even if it's only a couple days a week.

I do really miss The Racing Times.

Thank You and I have a RaceReplays account. It is very useful...

[Cannon Shell]

No Luv for Pletch will love this


""There?s no pace in the race other than SAVYS DELITE; she can get a clear lead, and the Polytrack tries we see showing all came in sprints, while she may be better at this one-turn mile trip; hasn?t yet run fast enough to win at this class level, but with the right trip, she could improve enough to contend at long odds "

from analysis of Saturdays 4th at AP. I guess I would have more respect for his opinion if he handicapped the race knowing it was a 2 turn 1 1/16th race rather than a 1 turn mile race. But I suppose you get what you pay for.

[NoLuvForPletch]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

No Luv for Pletch will love this


""There?s no pace in the race other than SAVYS DELITE; she can get a clear lead, and the Polytrack tries we see showing all came in sprints, while she may be better at this one-turn mile trip; hasn?t yet run fast enough to win at this class level, but with the right trip, she could improve enough to contend at long odds "

from analysis of Saturdays 4th at AP. I guess I would have more respect for his opinion if he handicapped the race knowing it was a 2 turn 1 1/16th race rather than a 1 turn mile race. But I suppose you get what you pay for.

Great find Chuck. There is probably something along these lines multiple times a day...mailing it in...

Here's another one from the genius that brought us the comments I refered to in my initial post...

"he has fired well in 7 previous Belmont Park defeats"

the horse's record over the track is 7 starts 0-4-0

okay where do I start, the horse is 0-7 at Belmont, how do the words "fired well" even enter your mind...
also, last time this animal visited Belmont, the only race in his visible PP's, he was just nipped, finishing 6th, beaten 22 3/4 lengths...

you can't make this stuff up

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

Great find Chuck. There is probably something along these lines multiple times a day...mailing it in...

Here's another one from the genius that brought us the comments I refered to in my initial post...

"he has fired well in 7 previous Belmont Park defeats"

the horse's record over the track is 7 starts 0-4-0

okay where do I start, the horse is 0-7 at Belmont, how do the words "fired well" even enter your mind...
also, last time this animal visited Belmont, the only race in his visible PP's, he was just nipped, finishing 6th, beaten 22 3/4 lengths...

you can't make this stuff up

what was the horses record at other tracks? without that information its tough to say whether or not the description of firing well at Belmont is accurate or not. at a low enough level that might be accurate.

you've already stated that you disagree and find inaccurate information in the "a closer look" comments, my question then is why do you take the time to read it?

[rontheman1964]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scav
My only thing with it is I wish I would go to white paper, instead of newspaper. I don't get it because I end up getting ink all over my face by about the 5th race.


If you're pressing the Form to your face, you're not using it right.
__________________

Blood, sweat and tears....lots and lots of tears, baby!!!!!

We NEED waterproof ink in the form. I think that is one of the things Hilary is promising in her campaign.....

[letswastemoney]

Just get the online version for $3.50 and do your homework the night before. Or if it is logistical, bring your laptop to the track. BRIS is cheaper actually. Get them.

How come the DRF can't list if a horse is a First Time Gelding? Prime Ruler just popped on Sunday at a $75 mutuel after going under the knife. If the rule in CAL is that trainer has to notify the racing office 72 hrs in advance it should be able to make it in the form. Also, a FTG or some other acronym should be noted in the PP. If there is one thing I would like added to the DRF it would be this.

California Horse Racing Board
State of California
Display of Rule No. 1865 , "Altering of Sex of Horse."

Rule No. Rule Title
1865 Altering of Sex of Horse.
Rule Text Any alteration to the sex of a horse from the sex as recorded on the Certificate of Foal Registration or the Eligibility Certificate or other official registration certificate of such horse shall be reported to the Racing Secretary and the Official Horse Identifier if such horse is registered to race at any race meeting. (a) Should the gelding or castration of a race horse be performed on the premises of a licensed racing association, the trainer shall report the same within 72 hours. (b) Should the gelding or castration of a race horse be performed off the premises of a licensed racing association and the horse has been previously registered to race at any race meeting in this State, the owner and/or trainer shall report the same at the time the horse is next registered to race. (c) Any such report will include the name of the veterinarian performing the alteration and the date of the alteration, and shall be recorded on the official registration certificate and the Official Horse Identification record of such horse. NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 19420, 19440, 19460 and 19562, Business and Professions Code. HISTORY: 1. New rule filed 7-11-75; effective 8-10-75.

[pick4]

Originally Posted by SundaySilence

How come the DRF can't list if a horse is a First Time Gelding? Prime Ruler just popped on Sunday at a $75 mutuel after going under the knife. If the rule in CAL is that trainer has to notify the racing office 72 hrs in advance it should be able to make it in the form. Also, a FTG or some other acronym should be noted in the PP. If there is one thing I would like added to the DRF it would be this.

California Horse Racing Board
State of California
Display of Rule No. 1865 , "Altering of Sex of Horse."

Rule No. Rule Title
1865 Altering of Sex of Horse.
Rule Text Any alteration to the sex of a horse from the sex as recorded on the Certificate of Foal Registration or the Eligibility Certificate or other official registration certificate of such horse shall be reported to the Racing Secretary and the Official Horse Identifier if such horse is registered to race at any race meeting. (a) Should the gelding or castration of a race horse be performed on the premises of a licensed racing association, the trainer shall report the same within 72 hours. (b) Should the gelding or castration of a race horse be performed off the premises of a licensed racing association and the horse has been previously registered to race at any race meeting in this State, the owner and/or trainer shall report the same at the time the horse is next registered to race. (c) Any such report will include the name of the veterinarian performing the alteration and the date of the alteration, and shall be recorded on the official registration certificate and the Official Horse Identification record of such horse. NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 19420, 19440, 19460 and 19562, Business and Professions Code. HISTORY: 1. New rule filed 7-11-75; effective 8-10-75.

I've asked Steve Crist the same question you posed and he said that the information is not available when they print the pp's.

I don't understand why there is all the nitpicking about this fine paper. Sure it stinks that the price is $5.50 on newstands but they have to cover the costs of manufacturing and distributing the paper. I use Formy 4.1 most of the time and it's worth its weight in gold. I have a laser printer and buy rebuilt printing cartridges so I can print hundreds of cards before I need a new cartridge. Once I have the card printed I use Formy 4.1 to look up the charts and at times trainer info.

I prefer Formy 4.1 but the print paper is fine. The main difference is I have to look up charts in my archives for the last three when I buy the print edition.
Nonetheless I always buy a next day Form when I go to Belmont or Saratoga.

[GPK]

Be grateful you can still get the DRF in its entirety. My local OTB (Colonial Downs in Vinton, VA) stopped having it delivered. We now have a kiosk that we print the cards off for $1 per track. I'd love to have the option to pay $5.50 for the entire form.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

I'll be buying the printed edition (if I can find one) today for Saturday. First time getting one since Sumwonlovesyou ran the second time for us (over a year ago) I usually get the printed PP's online eiher through DRF or the freebies that Capital OTB used to send me.