Stauffer's call of the 6th tonight.

[stonegossard]

What was by far the most biased call of a race occurred in the 6th tonight at Hollywood. I think Hollywood Park really needs to sit down with Vic S and say "either you are a jockey agent or our announcer....not both".

In the 6th race Approaching the far turn Ellie L (5 horse), ridden by Rosario was beginning to make a move, from that point on all Stauffer did was mention the 5 horse . You would have thought the horse was a 1-5 shot....not a 9-2 shot. But because it was his guy's horse, Stauffer went on and on as the horse moved. It's amazing in a big field that he would do something like that. Especially with a horse who was not going to win (as it turned out the horse on the lead jumped into the rail...so the 5 did get up).

It's really an embarassment to Hollywood Park that they would have a guy who is so biased towards his jock's mounts call the races there. Tonight's pandering to his guy's horse was beyond ridiculous. I guess because Hollywood is on it's way out they really don't care. Hopefully whatever track picks up the dates has an announcer who isn't also a jock's agent.

[SniperSB23]

Yes, cause no one could recognize she was making a move that would put her in the top two.

[10 pnt move up]

lol, I thought it was funny "Ellie L ducks into the rail and it might of cost her the race"....ya think?

[jballscalls]

I watched the replay and think your imagining things. First of all, he said "the horse catches the eye" um yeah.... a horse that moves from last to 4th in an eighth of a mile tends to do that.

Second of all, most announcers if they see a horse is on the move, will keep an extra eye on that horse.

Third of all, having watched lots of Hollywood races, when Vic has seen a horse moving like that, no matter who the rider is, he will call that horse and pay extra close attention too it....why, because as the race caller he's telling you "the fan and horseplayer" that the horse has got a big shot.

fourth of all, I've never ragged on an announcer for a call of any kind when i had a winning ticket in my hand. So i'm guessing you weren't rooting for Ellie L.

Vic's the man, i think your just trying to pick a fight or have a bone to pick. just my observations

[SCUDSBROTHER]

I've been listening for this, and I haven't heard any of it. Fact is that if you watch these animals 4 or 5 days a week, it's not that hard to see who has horse n' who doesn't. The races that seem tough to call would be races like the 5th race. Rosario n' Solis came to the wire together. I think it must be tough for him to seem like he doesn't care which one wins(when, obviously, he does care.) He's doing it really well though. Seems like he can somehow block it out. Even gave Strawberry Tart a big "YES" when she roared past Joel (on Jehan) in the Stakes tonite.

[stonegossard]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

I watched the replay and think your imagining things. First of all, he said "the horse catches the eye" um yeah.... a horse that moves from last to 4th in an eighth of a mile tends to do that.

Second of all, most announcers if they see a horse is on the move, will keep an extra eye on that horse.

Third of all, having watched lots of Hollywood races, when Vic has seen a horse moving like that, no matter who the rider is, he will call that horse and pay extra close attention too it....why, because as the race caller he's telling you "the fan and horseplayer" that the horse has got a big shot.

fourth of all, I've never ragged on an announcer for a call of any kind when i had a winning ticket in my hand. So i'm guessing you weren't rooting for Ellie L.

Vic's the man, i think your just trying to pick a fight or have a bone to pick. just my observations

A few things:

1) I didn't bet the race so had no rooting interest.

2) It was a very good ride by Rosario, so before anyone starts the "I am anti-Rosario" thing, this isnt about him.


Stauffer has done this thing before. But last night's call was really bad. It's great that you watch a lot of Hollywood races and are a big fan of his, but if you listened objectively you would notice how ridiculous the call was.

Originally Posted by stonegossard

What was by far the most biased call of a race occurred in the 6th tonight at Hollywood. I think Hollywood Park really needs to sit down with Vic S and say "either you are a jockey agent or our announcer....not both".

In the 6th race Approaching the far turn Ellie L (5 horse), ridden by Rosario was beginning to make a move, from that point on all Stauffer did was mention the 5 horse . You would have thought the horse was a 1-5 shot....not a 9-2 shot. But because it was his guy's horse, Stauffer went on and on as the horse moved. It's amazing in a big field that he would do something like that. Especially with a horse who was not going to win (as it turned out the horse on the lead jumped into the rail...so the 5 did get up).

It's really an embarassment to Hollywood Park that they would have a guy who is so biased towards his jock's mounts call the races there. Tonight's pandering to his guy's horse was beyond ridiculous. I guess because Hollywood is on it's way out they really don't care. Hopefully whatever track picks up the dates has an announcer who isn't also a jock's agent.

Interesting take.

Here's mine.

BITE ME

[Round Pen]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Interesting take.

Here's mine.

BITE ME

Priceless

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Interesting take.

Here's mine.

BITE ME

Whoa whoa whoa. Looks like someone needs to grow some skin and "class up". Bite me?

I think the point made in the original post is quite valid. There is an obvious conflict of interest here.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Whoa whoa whoa. Looks like someone needs to grow some skin and "class up". Bite me?

I think the point made in the original post is quite valid. There is an obvious conflict of interest here.

I think Jballs explanation and Vic's response were both spot on.

It seems some folks around here are trying to tweak Vic. I'm pretty sure his skin is thicker than most. He can handle himself in an internet exchange (I've witnessed some on other boards). He doesn't need my defending, but this whole bias thing is silly.

When you are a the top of your profession in your half of the country, people are always going to try to knock you down a peg. We have several other race callers on this board that never seem to get "critiqued" like Vic does here.

[TheSpyder]

OK, watched it. I think it was a good catch of a horse making a nice move. He could have mentioned that 3-4 other horses were loosing ground and tiring but what's the point in that?

Objectively, if he had not said anything, objectively that is, we'd be complaining like the call on MTB in the Derby.

Move on....

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I think Jballs explanation and Vic's response were both spot on.

It seems some folks around here are trying to tweak Vic. I'm pretty sure his skin is thicker than most. He can handle himself in an internet exchange (I've witnessed some on other boards). He doesn't need my defending, but this whole bias thing is silly.

When you are a the top of your profession in your half of the country, people are always going to try to knock you down a peg. We have several other race callers on this board that never seem to get "critiqued" like Vic does here.

I actually enjoy Vic's calls and I have defended his rider many times on here. And your points are well taken Bigs. But isnt the fact that there is room to question the relationship at all enough to say that there is a conflict of interest?

[TheSpyder]

And no other announcer bets on races? Of course there's a conflict, but, it doesn't change the outcome of one race and anytime you have one person calling a race with more than one horse, you are bound to hear some biased if only based on how they take in the race.

.

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I actually enjoy Vic's calls and I have defended his rider many times on here. And your points are well taken Bigs. But isnt the fact that there is room to question the relationship at all enough to say that there is a conflict of interest?

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I actually enjoy Vic's calls and I have defended his rider many times on here. And your points are well taken Bigs. But isnt the fact that there is room to question the relationship at all enough to say that there is a conflict of interest?

There is room and everyone is allowed to state their opinion. As a horseplayer trying to eek out a profit on a daily basis, that perceived conflict of interest does not affect me in any way.

If I am watching a race in a 3" x 5" box on my computer screen, I want a racecaller to tell me who that is making a move because I may or may not be able to make out the silks or saddle cloth in that tiny box. When I am at the track, I am not a binoculars guy, so I want the dude upstairs (shout out to Richard Grunder ) to help me out a bit when a horse is making a move 1/4 mile away from my failing naked eyes. The thought of who that jock's agent is or who the racecaller is representing never enters my mind, I just want to know what's going on in the race and I just want to cash tickets.

[stonegossard]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I think Jballs explanation and Vic's response were both spot on.

It seems some folks around here are trying to tweak Vic. I'm pretty sure his skin is thicker than most. He can handle himself in an internet exchange (I've witnessed some on other boards). He doesn't need my defending, but this whole bias thing is silly.

When you are a the top of your profession in your half of the country, people are always going to try to knock you down a peg. We have several other race callers on this board that never seem to get "critiqued" like Vic does here.

How many other race callers are jockey agents at the track they call ? I am sorry you didnt get the point of my post, I thought I was clear about why I thought the call was biased. This isn't about who is a better announcer. All announcers have their good and bad days. Denman's call when Street Sense won The BC, Durkin's Derby call this year....were less than stellar.

Trust me...if Travis Stone becomes a jock's agent down at La Downs and does the same thing I will post about it as well.

As far as Stauffer having thick skin, read his response to me. The guy has no class and obviously can't handle criticism.

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Interesting take.

Here's mine.

BITE ME

The fact that you refuse to "Bigtime" the guy by ignoring or refusing to engage the guy who authored the thread speaks to your fairness and candor. Andy agrees with < 5% of the opinions here and nobody is telling him to be "more chalky corporate" if you want to stay employed with NYRA.

Having a take and not sucking with it, is more important than whether your making a few bucks in the game picking up mounts for a kid who is bright enough to hire you. You entertain me and better yet it's free and I thank you for the smiles you bring to the game which should focus more on entertaining and educating it's fanbase rather than soap boxing to sterilize ever last bit of clever color left in it.....thanks for hanging around here it's just another reason to read the site daily.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Interesting take.

Here's mine.

BITE ME

I know it's the internet and all and we all get a little more brave - but would you speak to a customer at the track like that? I'd like to think that Hollywood expects a bit more professionalism.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I know it's the internet and all and we all get a little more brave - but would you speak to a customer at the track like that? I'd like to think that Hollywood expects a bit more professionalism.

Exactly. Well put Sightseek.

[PPerfectfan]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I know it's the internet and all and we all get a little more brave - but would you speak to a customer at the track like that? I'd like to think that Hollywood expects a bit more professionalism.

I honestly dont see that talking to somone in a chat room has anything to do with his job. He replied to somone that obviously wants to take a jab at him for some unknown reason. If someone is offended by someone saying "bite me" on a message board, maybe they should just not be on the internet. jmvhfo of course! I dont know Vic, but I have seen him respond to every question asked of him, both good and bad with a level head and answering from his heart. I think it says alot that he post under his own name knowing that there are going to be those that take a jab at him for really no other reason that arm chair race calling or just to take a jab at a public figure. I am sure there are tons of other trainers, owners, jocks, HRTV and TVG personalities that come here, but dang sure make sure they dont let anyone know who they are for fear of getting bombarded with cheap shots. So I say "Geauxxxxx Vic" U tha Man!

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Interesting take.

Here's mine.

BITE ME

Vic,

Sorry... While everyone is entitled to the occasional outburst or angry reply, this a very disappointing response from an industry professional given the measured tone of Pete's original post. You are in a slightly awkward position holding book and calling, and acknowledging that there is a race where you occasionally cross the line is only going to win you the understanding of viewers. The above is an Albert Belle-esque antic, and only demonstrates that you recognize you were overly cognizant of Rosario's spot in the race.