Chartcallers gone wild

The Indomitable DrugS · #1 03-09-2009, 12:04 AM

That's the first time I think I ever read "head scratcher" in a chart comment.

Sounds like the chart caller was alive to the 4/5 favorite that ran 2nd in some multi-wins and went on tilt when the Contessa longshot that had been getting beat 30 everytime romped.

dagolfer33 · #2 03-09-2009, 12:18 AM

They have made some colorful comments in the past, especially directed towards the fact that races were consistantly behind time. Some of the comments were, "the field was again late to post" and "the gate crew took its time loading the horses" and once, dont quote me exactly, "late as usual".

Indian Charlie · #3 03-09-2009, 01:35 AM

What's really odd is that the first 3 races were all won by well fancied runners, so how the 4th could be construed as another head scratcher is quite weird.

Check out his comment for the winner in race 6 too.

Better yet, what the fudge was he smoking in that last race? That chart caller was drunk or stoned.

The Indomitable DrugS · #4 03-09-2009, 06:09 AM

Wow - great catch.

The winner of the 6th race "obviously benifited from the addition of blinkers"

http://www.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesI...=20090308&RN=6

While the winner of the 9th race "drew clear after a mile" - in what was just a 6 furlong race.

http://www.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesI...=20090308&RN=9

The Fat Man is going to love that these guys calling the charts that he makes his Fat Graphs with can be that bad.

AeWingnut · #5 03-09-2009, 06:46 AM

I have never seen a chart that comments on equipment let alone say "Head Scratcher"

I usually read "lacked room, bumped, bothered, taken up and not enough late"

this chart caller has an investment and is a sore loser

Danzig · #6 03-09-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Wow - great catch.

The winner of the 6th race "obviously benifited from the addition of blinkers"

http://www.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesI...=20090308&RN=6

While the winner of the 9th race "drew clear after a mile" - in what was just a 6 furlong race. http://www.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesI...=20090308&RN=9

The Fat Man is going to love that these guys calling the charts that he makes his Fat Graphs with can be that bad.

and was kept to steady handling after that mile. lol wow

Phalaris1913 · #7 03-10-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

They have made some colorful comments in the past...

Indeed. It's amusing to look at ancient chart footnotes. I seem to recall one that went something like "Horse would've won but for jockey so-and-so's mishandling."

Antitrust32 · #8 03-10-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalaris1913

Indeed. It's amusing to look at ancient chart footnotes. I seem to recall one that went something like "Horse would've won but for jockey so-and-so's mishandling."

Was that comment on the fat man's charts?

Phalaris1913 · #9 03-10-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Was that comment on the fat man's charts?

Well, here's just one I was able to dredge up without too much trouble. Commando, unbeaten in five starts at 2 in 1900, was odds-on in the Matron. After Commando led nearly throughout, 20-1 Beau Gallant was up in time to win. The DRF footnote:

"His [Beau Gallant's] victory was a lucky one as Commando was pounds the best horse, but [jockey] Spencer went to sleep near the finish and did not see Beau Gallant get up on the inside rail."

The valuable Matron - worth more to the winner than the Belmont that year - was open to colts and fillies in its earliest runnings.

Danzig · #10 03-10-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

Was that comment on the fat man's charts?

no, all his say 'if you're reading this, your track needs Trakus'

Danzig · #11 03-09-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

That's the first time I think I ever read "head scratcher" in a chart comment.

Sounds like the chart caller was alive to the 4/5 favorite that ran 2nd in some multi-wins and went on tilt when the Contessa longshot that had been getting beat 30 everytime romped.

that's what i was thinking.

dagolfer33 · #12 03-09-2009, 08:15 AM

If you look on Equibase's site there is a complete list of terms the chartcaller is to use when making the chart and guidelines as to when they should be used. None of these terms are in there I can assure you

Danzig · #13 03-09-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagolfer33

If you look on Equibase's site there is a complete list of terms the chartcaller is to use when making the chart and guidelines as to when they should be used. None of these terms are in there I can assure you

you mean they aren't suppose to editorialize?

dagolfer33 · #14 03-09-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danzig

you mean they aren't suppose to editorialize?

They do the chartcalling, we do the editorializing. In all honesty, I love the colorful comments.

Danzig · #15 03-09-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagolfer33

They do the chartcalling, we do the editorializing. In all honesty, I love the colorful comments.

it is amusing-a little something different.

booner · #16 03-09-2009, 05:00 PM

I remember seeing "head scratcher" in another chart from Philly last year. And I actually started a thread about it now that I looked back.........

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19564

I don't mind the additional comments as long as it doesn't distort the description of the race. Horse racing needs a little flavor every now and again.

blackthroatedwind · #17 03-09-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus

To me, it looks like a shot at Contessa.

They can't fool you.

herkhorse · #18 03-09-2009, 08:26 AM

lol, good stuff. I'm willing to cut these guys a little slack now and then. They can't get paid a whole lot, and there is nothing wrong with a little humor.

Bobby Fischer · #19 03-09-2009, 08:41 AM

Good catch(s)

like the thread title also.

Wonder if Contessa has been pulling off a lot of head-scratchers this meet at Philly?
Who's pumped up today? My impressions- and they be could be way off- was that knowing the trainers and watching the animals pre race is almost as important as handicapping for the average race on the card at Philly.

parsixfarms · #20 03-09-2009, 09:43 AM

The owner of the runner-up is listed as "Scot A. Waterman." Is this the vet associated with the RMTC? If so, it sounds like the chart caller is trying to given him more encouragement with that project.