Being a Public Handicapper?

[Stickhorse]

I wonder once in awhile how much do our friends, or in some cases our bane, the Public Handicapper's make as a base salary. I think the job would be too tough for many of us, especially me!

We are lucky enough to have many superior Public Handicappers grace Steve's show. Certainly they are all a little different in the level of their handicapping emphasis. For example Andy Serling, who I consider the cream, seems to be able to focus almost entirely on his circuit and does not have the distraction of having to write daily columns like Dave Litfin. Mike Welsch does his share of writing too but also does a lot of clocking. Joe Kristufek, when last I check has to include program notes for ARL, 'caps in the Midwest and can be seen often in chats. Kenny Peck seems to be responsible for several circuits. Jon White is really focused because his opinion is only in print at Santa Anita. Then you have the disappearing breed: the newspaper 'cappers. Seems like they often have other duties with their newspapers that can take them away from the track.

So what do you guys think? If one was thinking about getting into this very competitive profession what could one expect to make?

[Alabama Stakes]

whatever they make they put through the windows

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by Rare Bog

<crickets>

[RockHardTen1985]

Not trying to start anything at all with this. Not trying to be a wise ass at all. I am simply responding to the original post..... it would depend on where and to what extent. I'm clearly a joke around here and I was paid OK for about an hour a day... I was doing something I would do anyway, for fun....I was only asked to provide numbers. Now I only did this for 8 weeks, so what I made is irrelevant. Capitalotb is $1000 a month for its internet guys. If your on any of the shows it could be more.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Not trying to start anything at all with this. Not trying to be a wise ass at all. I am simply responding to the original post..... it would depend on where and to what extent. I'm clearly a joke around here and I was paid OK for about an hour a day... I was doing something I would do anyway, for fun....I was only asked to provide numbers. Now I only did this for 8 weeks, so what I made is irrelevant. Capitalotb is $1000 a month for its internet guys. If your on any of the shows it could be more.

So you once got paid for your picks?

[AlreadyHome]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Not trying to start anything at all with this. Not trying to be a wise ass at all. I am simply responding to the original post..... it would depend on where and to what extent. I'm clearly a joke around here and I was paid OK for about an hour a day... I was doing something I would do anyway, for fun....I was only asked to provide numbers. Now I only did this for 8 weeks, so what I made is irrelevant. Capitalotb is $1000 a month for its internet guys. If your on any of the shows it could be more.

cool.
when work is fun, is always a good thing, specially doing what u like/love..

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

So you once got paid for your picks?

Well..if you think about it

Used to get $25 from a local racing mag for a once a week column where I wote up 3-4 picks for the day with a little "local humor." My picks (and my jokes) turned out to be worth not even that, so they dropped me after a few months.

My opinion: some guys are probably way overpaid as their picks are usually gleaned from a "consensus" of other guys' selections. On the other hand, whatever they pay Andy Serling isn't enough.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Stickhorse

For example Andy Serling, who I consider the cream, seems to be able to focus almost entirely on his circuit and does not have the distraction of having to write daily columns

Not that I don't appreciate the compliment ( I genuinely do ) but I'm not sure how part of someone's job is a " distraction. " If that's the case, I have PLENTY of distractions. One basic one is typing up comprehensive e-mails with replay information and Formulator stats for every show we do.

[dagolfer33]

Originally Posted by GBBob

Well..if you think about it

A WHOLE LOT of money can be made off RHT's picks, trust me. I was going to pay him NOT to pick LSU in the championship game this year, but I didn't pull the trigger. You just have to know what side of his picks to be on, and there is a fortune to be had.