Stumbled on this podcast where Len Friedman was a guest. Great interview despite the fact Rags is the competition - https://youtube.com/watch?v=B-rSNQmhncY&list=PLEjQe-0QxOOrzewfYh-mjGjMhJgIvEw8X&index=1&pp=iAQB
I’m listening to it right now. In terms of the history he cites, those who have not done so should check out History Lessons 1 and 2 in the Archives of this site. Ragozin took credit for inventing things that were demonstrably going on decades before he was making figures, and Friedman bought it. So did I, back when I was there as a kid.
It is telling that Len still says “a variant†for the day. They are the only figure makers I know of that still have that ridiculous dogmatic approach, and it’s how they botched the Oaks figures so badly. And in History Lesson 2 there’s a quote from the 1950s that shows serious handicappers knew even then the track changed speed. For more on that, see “Changing Track Speedsâ€, also in the Archives.
A few months back, I as reading a story about Lecomte & Metaraie Race Track , it as about the match races with Lexington. There was a mention about track speed & figures, and the connections using them to literally bet the farm. This as circa 1950\'s.
I think just about everyone I know that is a racing fan enjoys the radio shows, the podcasts, the track feeds, America\'s Day at the Races, reading others picks, the coverage by various sources, etc etc.
The Bet with the Best Podcast series has been terrific. A few guests are clearly just rubes masquerading as experts but if you have listened you can usually flesh out which ones are legit and which ones are phoney\'s. (No comment on the Len podcast as it is one of the few I haven\'t heard). That said, the podcast Chris put together does cover what I complain about below in a Generalized (ever-green as he calls it) way.
I also appreciate some of the podcasts covering a pick 5 sequence for big cards. Aragona and Milkowski probably do the best job in this regard but there are a few others.
That said, I\'m wondering why there aren\'t tv shows or radio shows dedicated to serious wagering discussions on specific races. Most of these shows like to cover the horses one by one, or post horizontal plays or put up a token win or exacta bet that is pretty vanilla.
Is it that difficult to find people to articulate their opinion on a race? Example: In today\'s Xth race, I see an 11 horse field and there are 2 horses that I really like but they will be 1st and 3rd choice. I see 3 other horses I like but they can\'t win and one of them I really like is going to be 15-1. Here is how I would structure my bets. Then, a layout of a serious approach and play on the race?
I understand there is print material such as TG analysis that does this. But, a well thought out exact vertical approach, or a horizontal approach with an array of tickets emphasizing opinions seems beyond rare in the racing broadcast journalism world.
Is this because people don\'t want to acknowledge racing as a serious intellectual gambling game? Or is not profitable?
If you watched the NBC coverage of Ascot, you would think that racing is about talking to The Fonz and has nothing to do with handicapping. They would flash to the horses behind the gate moments before the race after having 20 minutes of genuine Garbage that had nothing to do with handicapping whatsoever.
I don\'t get it but hey, I\'m not reliant on the industry and always want it to be fun as a serious hobby/past-time so that could be why I\'m lost on this front.
Well, my friend - you are correct. I listen to the CA guys, Serling, Sirocco, Byk, because I\'m tired of the political talking heads after 8 am.
Byk\'s guest usually have a good thing to say on 5/8 horses entered. No help.
Thorobred LA is useless. 7 horse fields on a good day? No thnnks.
TG analysis? 1/12 may win, but the frequent \"pass\" races in a small card is annoying for $25. The \"pass\" races are usually 2 yo. Stunningly, TG has without a doubt the best breeding info available. I don\'t get that JB.
Rags? I don\'t buy the info, so I don\'t know. The piks do OK.
Brisbet? Helpful on historical # at dist and the class they are running.
DRF? If everyone has it, what is the point?
I have rarely won without using the TG data - almost always conflicts with TG analysis IMO - and will not wager seriously any big days without it.
Most serious folks are going to play their own opinions I would say. But hearing others\' approaches and opinions in a serious way with serious plays would help with one\'s own plays. One might agree or disagree but such content can distinguish where at least some educated competition is headed and what maybe one has missed.