Handicappers are a bunch of a$$holes

my miss storm cat · #1 12-15-2011, 02:22 PM

... 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)

Quote:

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)

Quote:

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)

Quote:

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)

Quote:

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

Quote:

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

Quote:

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?

blackthroatedwind · #2 12-15-2011, 03:24 PM

Here's a look at me thread designed to start a fight if I ever saw one.

By the way, Freddy isn't a handicapper.

my miss storm cat · #3 12-15-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Here's a look at me thread designed to start a fight if I ever saw one.

By the way, Freddy isn't a handicapper.

Two things...

I've wanted to do a thread about this kind of thing and figured now is as good a time as any since other threads keep getting cluttered up by people taking shots.

The second part is that if you really look at what I'm saying, it's the opposite. I think you of all people can see that. I am saying the hardcore types are NOT heartless, that they DO care.

I once started a thread called sex ses sex about Ace. I just figured people might read it this way and respond. That's not so horrible, is it?

MisterB · #4 12-15-2011, 03:29 PM

Talking underwater is an art. Well done. So is farting

freddymo · #5 12-15-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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)

(From the Final Farewell thread a few days ago)

(From the waiting for news on thread yesterday)

The flipside...

(From the The Petition thread)

From the The Petition thread

Again, from the same thread

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?

Thoughts? Sure are dogs allowed to eat dog food made from horses that had cancer? Is that like the Walmart brand and the Iams is Cancer free? I now I want my dogs to eat nothing but the finest kosher TB.

My best friend is madly in love with his wife of 37 years, neither could ever imagine life apart. She once asked him how long she should wait before dating another man if he were to die first. He looked at her and said Honey what do I care I am DEAD.

Indian Charlie · #6 12-15-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddymo

My best friend is madly in love with his wife of 37 years, neither could ever imagine life apart. She once asked him how long she should wait before dating another man if he were to die first. He looked at her and said Honey what do I care I am DEAD.

I find this story to be somewhat dubious, at best?

Best friend??

my miss storm cat · #7 12-15-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterB

Talking underwater is an art. Well done. So is farting

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddymo

Thoughts? Sure are dogs allowed to eat dog food made from horses that had cancer? Is that like the Walmart brand and the Iams is Cancer free? I now I want my dogs to eat nothing but the finest kosher TB.

My best friend is madly in love with his wife of 37 years, neither could ever imagine life apart. She once asked him how long she should wait before dating another man if he were to die first. He looked at her and said Honey what do I care I am DEAD.

Thanks. I was really wondering if it bothers you guys (in general, not you two) that a lot of people perceive cappers a certain way so thanks for your insight! It's appreciated.

edit - ... and I am really sorry to anyone who took this the wrong way. I thought it was pretty clear as the rest of the sentence was IN THE FIRST LINE but I guess not.

freddymo · #8 12-15-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I find this story to be somewhat dubious, at best?

Best friend??

OK you are right he is my secret life mate on the down low

GenuineRisk · #9 12-15-2011, 06:33 PM

I'll bite, MMSC-

I don't think it has anything to do with handicappers per se; I just think the desire for money turns a lot of people into a**holes.

Look at the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire- over a hundred women burned to death because the owners saw fit to lock them in the factory. Heaven forbid they sneak out for a break- that costs money. Owners= a**holes

Look at the mine accidents in West Virginia over the past few years- a company with numerous safety violations made no attempt to correct the problems and miners died. Because a safe working environment costs money. Owners = a**holes

For that matter, look at the problems finding homes for TBs when their racing careers are over. Because it costs money.

People are funny when there's money involved. I know someone who worked for years in the T&E division of a law firm, and the stories about the clients were astounding. There were plenty of nice clients, but there was also ones like the woman who, after being left $7 million in a will, called and screamed at the secretary in the department, that, "No one can live on $7 million!"

Handicappers are at the track for the purpose of winning money. I think the perceived callousness comes from seeing their frustration at losing money. In that moment, the money, for some, is the most important thing, and everything else is secondary. And they may act in ways they wouldn't later. For all I know, the $7 million lady was simply torn up with grief, didn't know how to express it, and was a lovely human being otherwise.

Or she might just have been a total a**hole. And maybe some people at the track are total a**holes, but not because they're handicappers.

my miss storm cat · #10 12-15-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Handicappers are at the track for the purpose of winning money. I think the perceived callousness comes from seeing their frustration at losing money. In that moment, the money, for some, is the most important thing, and everything else is secondary. And they may act in ways they wouldn't later. For all I know, the $7 million lady was simply torn up with grief, didn't know how to express it, and was a lovely human being otherwise.

This is a really good point and thank you for understanding that I'm talking about perceived callousness. Nicely worded.

Rudeboyelvis · #11 12-15-2011, 06:52 PM

I'm pretty sure I'm a handicapper and an a$$hole

my miss storm cat · #12 12-15-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

I'm pretty sure I'm a handicapper and an a$$hole

Oh my God please remind me never to start a thread again!

One person got it. Hooray!

golfer · #13 12-15-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

I'm pretty sure I'm a handicapper and an a$$hole

Cut yourself some slack, ok? You're not really much of a handicapper

freddymo · #14 12-15-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

This is a really good point and thank you for understanding that I'm talking about perceived callousness. Nicely worded.

Fishing and trolling trolling and fishing.. Doesnt UCLA have a adult Psych class that would be more fruitful.. Maybe inside the minds of a horse flesh eaters 101. Or What drives the Jockey to whip the beast 202?

my miss storm cat · #15 12-15-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddymo

Fishing and trolling trolling and fishing.. Doesnt UCLA have a adult Psych class that would be more fruitful.. Maybe inside the minds of a horse flesh eaters 101. Or What drives the Jockey to whip the beast 202?

Gee Freddy - I'm starting to think you're going to be visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve...