New Bettors

[billk5300s]

A couple of weeks ago I attended a work outing near the end of the Arlington meet.  My co-workers were impressed with my selections using TG but were even more amazed when I told them we probably should pass a race in which the fastest horse was 4-1.  There was a horse in a MCL event bet down to even money and when a certain trainer is bet he wins, plain and simple.  A couple of my younger co-workers stated that this is why they\'d rather bet on fantasy sports than go to the track.  The consensus amongst the younger folks was that horse racing is dirty.

On another note two harness racing facilities near Chicago closed for good.  Maywood and Balmoral both shut their doors.  About 20 years ago Balmoral updated their strip to a mile oval with a shute for one turn mile races and shortly after they were denied thoroughbred dates by the IRB.  Arlington and Hawthorn will race 70 less days in 2016.  With no slot machines for them in the foreseeable future could 2016 be the end of Illinois racing?  Stay tuned!

[joemama]

Sorry to hear about the closing of Maywood and Balmoral.  I\'ve spent many evenings years ago at Maywood and spent lots of Sundays driving down to Balmoral. Sad.

[miff]

Drf:

Nyquist had shock-wave therapy Sept. 29
The unbeaten 2yo colt Nyquist worked a half-mile in 52 seconds today, and the work tab lists him as being on the vet\'s list. A check of the CHRB vet\'s list shows he had shock-wave therapy on Sept. 29, three days after he won the FrontRunner. This is a perfectly legal treatment, but rules are in place so horses can\'t race within a defined time after having the treatment. Being as Nyquist will not race again until the Breeders\' Cup Juvenile on Oct. 31, he\'s well within the rules, but it certainly seems something worth noting/following over the next few weeks.

Footnote: Amongst other requests,NYRA refused to publish info on shock waved horses/vet list treatments. Clown Kay/NYRA do not know how to spell transparency.

[Bet Twice]

Agree that transparency is key, so not arguing that point.  But from a handicapping perspective how do you factor this in?  Downgrade the horse?  Ignore?

[FrankD.]

I remember in 86 they ran a fall thoroughbred meet at Balmoral giving them some of the Arlington dates after the 85 fire. It was still a 5/8 bull ring like Sportsman\'s Park.

If you look up larceny in the dictionary you will see a picture of Juvenal Diaz as a jock colony lead by him took control over the results.  It was flat out LARCENY boat races, stiffing favorites etc... It got so bad serious money players just stopped on a dime.

In reading the tracks history Whirlaway broke his maiden there in 1940 as a 2 yr old.

Sad to see all those former vibrant Illinois plants go down the tubes.

Only on Chicago\'s south side: Rick B. come\' on !!!
McNally\'s in Richard J. Daley\'s famed 19th ward is REALLY offering cheap beers for every Cardinal home run hit against the Cubs. Come on Rick give the northsiders a break no one alive has seen them win a world series!!!!!

Frank D.
Yanks are Toast so GO Cubbies

[miff]

Promotes quicker recovery/healing so it helps.Does say that the horse has an issue which requires maintenance, like many of them.

[bstaubs22]

I\'ll Have Another received same treatment leading up to KY Derby. Miff is right, does promote healing and as stated before barn is familiar with how to bring one who is getting the treatment up to a race. Obvious issue but wouldn\'t make that big of a deal about it, handicap as if Nyquist will run his race and go from there.

Brandon

[Fairmount1]

\"There was a horse in a MCL event bet down to even money and when a certain trainer is bet he wins, plain and simple. A couple of my younger co-workers stated that this is why they\'d rather bet on fantasy sports than go to the track. The consensus amongst the younger folks was that horse racing is dirty.\"

They may have told you this but the fact that fantasy is more mainstream is the real reason they prefer fantasy.  To me, the trainer example you gave is no different than me pointing out that players often get yanked late (or early) in games that are blowouts and that games out of reach can be stretched out reducing opportunities for players.  I haven\'t played fantasy sports since around 2004 for non-serious money in season long football leagues and a one year baseball league but this is an unavoidable facet in many, many games.  In racing, at least you could pass that race with the trainer that was bet down.

Crist\'s article in tomorrow\'s form was interesting and on point here.  Catch it if you get the chance.  

My bold prediction to billk5300s that slots would appear sooner than later in Illinois was not accurate; things in Illinois looking bleak on the live racing front.  Races like tomorrow\'s 7th at Hawthorne where I feel I have a great edge with Fairmount angles galore may be a thing of the past soon.  I won\'t give it away but I bet Rick B. will be all over a horse at the Thorne tomorrow if the price is right.......interesting trainer change of note that isn\'t listed in any program b/c it is a first time starter.  Good luck.

[Fairmount1]

From my phone so please excuse any errors.

The horse in question I described above is listed as having a different owner in Hawthorne\'s scratches and changes today.  The horse likely had some problems early on and was sold privately; not that this trainer can not get her to the winners circle but I will not be making any significant wagers as originally intended.  Wanted to be transparent with the board in advance.  Good luck.