Rookies

[TGJB]

I\'ve noticed that we have gained a lot of new posters over the last few months, and while I like that our base is expanding, I don\'t like some of the side effects.

While I\'m not going to institute a hard and fast rule, I am going to suggest that those who have not been here since at least last year take a cue from rookies in other sports-- spend your first year listening more and yapping less. You guys are way behind the curve in some of these discussions (notably the drug ones, where you have missed hundreds of serious and informative posts, and the attached veterinary studies in some cases).

Rick B-- this ain\'t the Derby List. You keep making personal attacks and you will have them deleted, and if it becomes too much work for me you will get barred.

In general, the word/things to say ratio has decreased markedly recently. What serious posts there are on this site are getting pushed down by a whole lot of hot air and back biting. If anyone has something substantive to say, we all want to hear it. If you can\'t be substantive, be funny. If you can\'t be either, be quiet.

[Rick B.]

TGJB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Rick B-- this ain\'t the Derby List. You keep
> making personal attacks and you will have them
> deleted, and if it becomes too much work for me
> you will get barred.

Mr. Brown, I would fully expect personal attacks to be deleted on a moderated board. They are uncalled for, and I wouldn\'t expect repeated personal attacks to be tolerated.

I did call someone a \"grave dancer\" yesterday, then retracted it when the poster provided clarification. I later apologized, too. I will work very hard to refrain from such childish name-calling in the future.

Other than that incident, I have to admit -- I\'m stumped about why I\'m being singled out...unless asking pointed \"devil\'s advocate\"-type questions about comments and allegations other posters make is construed here as a \"personal attack\".

Perhaps my differing views on Dutrow and other so-called \"supertrainers\" -- the very idea that people ought to be able to provide hard evidence of illegal activity before sullying trainer reputations -- is irksome to you and others here. If so, I can\'t do anything about that. I\'ve heard and read all of the hints and allegations, for years and years. Talk about hot air!

I want any and all cheaters out of the game as badly as anybody. It\'s about time that anyone with specific, provable information release it forthwith, or be quiet themselves.

And my opinion is that the above is and should be characterized as an opinion, not a personal attack on anybody. If you disagree, well, it\'s your board. I understand that.

[TGJB]

Rick-- so you figures the thing to do was to go on about the drug stuff as if I hadn\'t mentioned that you were behind the curve.

I\'m guessing you don\'t use serious speed figures in your handicapping. Those that do know there is a difference between evidence and proof. Example-- when those female athletes had to shave twice a day it wasn\'t proof, but it was evidence.

If you have, say, six hours to spare, do  search on this site for the word drugs. Take a look at my posts about TCO2 and the \"thresholds\" for positives, raceday Clenbuterol (only California distinguishes in its testing between race day and therapuetic use), the Califonia veterinary studies of TCO2 levels BELOW the legal limit and finish position, the recent ones about Winstrol. You are about two years behind the conversational curve. If you read 3-400 posts you can probably catch up.

The personal attacks were a couple of shots I thought you took at people, though I may have you mixed up with Flighted Iron or someone else.

[Rick B.]

TGJB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I\'m guessing you don\'t use serious speed figures
> in your handicapping.

Can\'t say -- I\'m two years behind everybody else here, so how would I know?

Look up my TG account and let me know. User name is \"rbelanski\".

[TGJB]

Then let me ask you. You haven\'t seen, oh, Scott Lake (for example) consistently get 5 point new tops from older horses right off the claim? You think that\'s what?

[smalltimer]

My experience with Scott Lake is that it depends who he claims it for.  Is it Bruce Golden, Robert Cole Sr, Acclaimed Racing, Gumpster Racing, Home Team Stables, Richard Maloufo, or Ben Mondello?  Among that group, there are 2 owners where the mutuel rises dramatically.  Lake\'s numbers vary according to where he claimed the horse, if the horse runs back at that same track, or moves to another circuit. He can be a little tricky depending on the first or 2nd time off the claim.
Without question, his numbers vary according to the new owners and the first or second out off the claim. He has some win percentages in the 90% + range.
This was based on a very large sample I ran a couple years ago.
I completely agree with JB on the comment about the older horses.
I\'m a \"rookie\" in the room by definition.  So, for what it\'s worth.
Just a comment.