Handicappers are a bunch of a$$holes

[my miss storm cat]

... and other assorted myths about players, the track, pretty horsie people, etc.

I hope neither of you mind that I'm quoting you but I'm doing so to make a point.

(From the Aquaduct thread yesterday)

Originally Posted by cmorioles

We hear so much about how bitter and jaded bettors are and that we don't care about horses, but what were these "horsemen" thinking?

(From the Final Farewell thread a few days ago)

Originally Posted by freddymo

Seriously I am furious!!! some nickel at Penn Nat is going to snap its leg within the next 3 weeks and be ommitted from the list. Shirley you could have waited till ALL the screens went down on the year.

(From the waiting for news on thread yesterday)

Originally Posted by freddymo

Dead Very Dead....They all are commodities not pets time for you to wake up. Simply investments that you train feed and administer health care to with the goal of more money STILL.. They arenot FLUFFY the Tibetian Terrier STILL

The flipside...

(From the The Petition thread)

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I don't agree. Or maybe they appear that way cause a lot of them don't go out of their way to talk about it but no... if it comes up? I'd say they are for the most part very compassionate. Rough exteriors disappear pretty quickly when it comes down to it.

I think some people here might be surprised at some of the donations I know of first hand made by a couple of the hardcore types.

They have hearts of gold. They just don't announce it.

From the The Petition thread

Originally Posted by eajinabi

Shallow and uncaring? Handicappers have no say in racing schedule or training regimen of horses.We only bet what is offered in the entries. Its actually in the better intrest of handicappers and everyone involved to have healthy horses running otherwise you are cheating the public and most importantly the horse.

Again, from the same thread

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Can't believe I'm saying this, but well said. As a bettor, I'd rather lose a bet than have a horse break down, 10 times out of 10. But unfortunately it's part of the game, and I'm not going to stop playing a game I love because there are some (infrequent) tragic moments. If that makes me callous, I guess that's what it is.

So you guys tell me. Why is there that stereotype? Do some of you think that you guys are the ones to perpetuate it? Do you care? Can you do anything to change it or do you feel like why bother or what?

Pretty horsie people...

There is no need to go looking for threads where they / we are disrespected. It's more of an underlying current... I believe so anyway.

We don't mind much though.

We play and cap and bet but some people assume we are clueless.

I've been to the track on two different occassions where one of the male tellers asked me if it was my first time there and said it with a tone as if I was a little well, let's just say touched.

This kind of idiocy bothers me but not much. I guess I know to expect it.

(Sorry as I don't mean to speak for anyone else. Apologies).

What other assumptions are there that are racing-related?

Anyone want to share their thoughts or a story?

I'm sorry to the big time cappers but I kinda think the ones who suggest you're for the most part heartless? I think that it's people in your own group so to speak.

Thoughts?