Beyer and Tampa

[Rudeboyelvis]

Hossy - The overall message of the piece is obviously positive. No one in the game needs Andy Beyer or anyone else to explain that - the proof is in the handle and seeing as this was in the Form, not the Washington Post, the target audience already knows this...

It was yellow journalism to bitch about the view of the 6 1/2 - 7F gate without even so much as asking the Track President about it - a guy he friggin' quoted in the article... It's not like he didn't have an opportunity to discuss it with him.

I felt it was bad form to call out Grunder without so much as an opportunity for either he or the facility to rebut - and I called that out - that's all.


It isn't the first time he's made salacious assumptions and got called for it - it is another in a long list. Listen, the guy is great - he as done more for the advancement of handicapping and I applaud his efforts and appreciate what he has done to change the game for the better - but his dig was unwarranted. And I called it out. sue me.


I'm really done with this - If people hate the purses, hate the announcer, hate the friggin trees - bet somewhere else. I really couldn't care less. I was just making a point. I'm not the voice of Tampa Bay Downs and could really give 2 sh1ts about what anyone thinks about the place. Honestly.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

Hossy - The overall message of the piece is obviously positive. No one in the game needs Andy Beyer or anyone else to explain that - the proof is in the handle and seeing as this was in the Form, not the Washington Post, the target audience already knows this...

It was yellow journalism to bitch about the view of the 6 1/2 - 7F gate without even so much as asking the Track President about it - a guy he friggin' quoted in the article... It's not like he didn't have an opportunity to discuss it with him.

I felt it was bad form to call out Grunder without so much as an opportunity for either he or the facility to rebut - and I called that out - that's all.


It isn't the first time he's made salacious assumptions and got called for it - it is another in a long list. Listen, the guy is great - he as done more for the advancement of handicapping and I applaud his efforts and appreciate what he has done to change the game for the better - but his dig was unwarranted. And I called it out. sue me.


I'm really done with this - If people hate the purses, hate the announcer, hate the friggin trees - bet somewhere else. I really couldn't care less. I was just making a point. I'm not the voice of Tampa Bay Downs and could really give 2 sh1ts about what anyone thinks about the place. Honestly.

You're taking it way too personally man. You know I respect your opinion and I'm not looking to argue at all.

Beyer obviously really likes Tampa. So what if he made mention of trees? Why does that bother you? I get the Grunder stuff. You're defending your home town guy. But come on. Good guy or not, some of the mistakes are crazy. I've seen you guys joke about it a lot before, right?

I'm glad we have Beyer, who at least has the balls to write about stuff we as gamblers care about. Sometimes that means bringing up stuff a lot of people think, but can't or won't say.

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

You're taking it way too personally man. You know I respect your opinion and I'm not looking to argue at all.

Beyer obviously really likes Tampa. So what if he made mention of trees? Why does that bother you? I get the Grunder stuff. You're defending your home town guy. But come on. Good guy or not, some of the mistakes are crazy. I've seen you guys joke about it a lot before, right?

I'm glad we have Beyer, who at least has the balls to write about stuff we as gamblers care about. Sometimes that means bringing up stuff a lot of people think, but can't or won't say.

Really not. I don't know how many different ways I can say it. If he likes the place or doesn't like the place, my world keeps spinning. I don't care.

My only point. and I can't explain this any differently, is that if his issues with the track are worthy of print, he should have addressed them with Berube and/or Grunder for a counter-point. He didn't. That's shoty.


If you couldn't see the first 1/8th of a mile of a race at Santa Anita, Belmont or Saratoga, wouldn't you expect a journalist to inquire as to why? Or simply accept it as part and parcel of the facility and blame it on "Tree Huggers"?

It's just weird.

He's a great in the business, I'm not taking shots at him, just his work has gotten peculiar lately.

[blackthroatedwind]

So, the correct timing of horse races is not something you consider important?

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

So, the correct timing of horse races is not something you consider important?

An actual question that was asked and was answered.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

So, the correct timing of horse races is not something you consider important?

Very important. They have had timing issues with the turf course since they put it in. Now it seems to have migrated to the dirt course too. Hopefully Beyer pointing it out publicly will shame them into stepping up their investigation and repair.

The simulcast shortcomings are duly noted. Their cameras look like hand-me-downs from NYRA.

The trees are a non issue. Would it be better if they were gone? Yes. Do the trees put simulcast players at any disadvantage? No.

Grunder is a non issue. I have never heard a horseplayer say, "I play Belmont because I love Durkin" or "I don't play Turfway Park because I hate Battaglia". I fail to see how upgrading a track announcer will change anything.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

Really not. I don't know how many different ways I can say it. If he likes the place or doesn't like the place, my world keeps spinning. I don't care.

My only point. and I can't explain this any differently, is that if his issues with the track are worthy of print, he should have addressed them with Berube and/or Grunder for a counter-point. He didn't. That's shoty.


If you couldn't see the first 1/8th of a mile of a race at Santa Anita, Belmont or Saratoga, wouldn't you expect a journalist to inquire as to why? Or simply accept it as part and parcel of the facility and blame it on "Tree Huggers"?

It's just weird.

He's a great in the business, I'm not taking shots at him, just his work has gotten peculiar lately.

I thought it was obvious the tree hugger line was tongue in cheek. I'm not sure why a counter point was necessary. He gave his opinion on Grunder. What exactly would be Grunder's response for botching easy words?

[phystech]

Tampa doesn't get my money. They pay $hit purses for the $$'s they take in. If you want to see a poster child for what is wrong with racing - look at Tampa. I know many of you fantasize about Tampa but, for what they take...... they don't pay $hit.

[robfla]

Originally Posted by phystech

Tampa doesn't get my money. They pay $hit purses for the $$'s they take in. If you want to see a poster child for what is wrong with racing - look at Tampa. I know many of you fantasize about Tampa but, for what they take...... they don't pay $hit.

Sounds almost like a personal boycott. Or, maybe you are an owner that would like to race there.

From a bettor / handicapper point of view, do the purses really matter as long as the field is large and competitive? If there was one race that had 11 horses ran for a purse of 22k or another race with 7 horses and a 45k purse, I know which one I am betting.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by phystech

Tampa doesn't get my money. They pay $hit purses for the $$'s they take in. If you want to see a poster child for what is wrong with racing - look at Tampa. I know many of you fantasize about Tampa but, for what they take...... they don't pay $hit.

You certain make a fair point with regards to purses. The question is why in the word would owners jocks and trainers support racing there? I suppose its warm and geographically idea? BTW I doubt a bright student of the game llike Beyer doesnt recognize the crappy purses but he speaks from the gambling side. As long as owners trainers and jocks are willing to compete for popcorn and peanuts what are you going to do?