Mike Watchmaker

Horseplayer and racing fan, and former National Handicapper for Daily Racing yada yada yada

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Hey @TheNYRA, I love tradition like I hope you do. So there’s this: the Travers canoe is completely blocked from view of the stands by the big tote board near the finish line. Why not move the Travers canoe to the center lake, where people may actually see it?

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Interesting strategy with Idiomatic. Sometimes you get what you deserve.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

@downhill_putt Thank you. That is very kind.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Of course, that’s bottom *line,* but I think you good folks already knew that.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Forgive me, because I’ve been screaming about it for years, but how can @TheNYRA continue to accept terrible decisions from the stewards who adjudicate their races? Even if the situation hasn’t affected their bottom like yet, how can The NYRA allow this problem to go on?

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Forgive me, because I’ve been screaming about it for years, but how can @TheNYRA continue to accept terrible decisions from the stewards who adjudicate their races? Even if the situation hasn’t affected their bottom like yet, how can The NYRA allow this problem to go on?

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

With this, we could see a repeat of Whitney Day, when multiple Pick 4s, P5s & the P6 was lost, there was an interminable 50 minutes between races, and handle cratered nearly 32%. This idea works only if we get no rain (not likely) or the card is cancelled.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but there is no late Pick 5 or Pick 6 today at Saratoga because canceled race 10 was in both sequences, and there is no mechanism in place to make whole the three people who may have actually bet into those pools before race 10 was canceled?

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

@davidjashforth @TheNYRA Thank you, David!!

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Been around a long time. Have seen a lot of dq’s. That classifies as one of the worst I’ve seen. Why would anyone want to bet on @TheNYRA races when their stewards demonstrate such incompetence toward the betting public on such a consistent basis?

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

And by the way, any jockey who willingly got off the rail today here in Saratoga is guilty of either malpractice or not really trying.

[Paul Matties Jr @PaulMattiesJr]

The biggest problem with NYRA's decision is that synthetic is not going to magically end on the first day of spring. Like Gulfstream has, they're going to have to keep writing synthetic races to fill cards. Dirt racing at Belmont will primarily be babies and stakes races.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

My semi-regular notice that the @TheNYRA stewards will, without fail, find ways to make absurd decisions. It’s absolutely amazing.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Thanks for the mention, Tony! The Racing Times was absolutely revolutionary, and I’m so glad I was a part of it!

[Tinky @Tinky47flat]

‡

A (CCA OAKS) Blast From the Past!

One of the advantages of my identity having been revealed is that I can choose to post some of my work from 'back in the day'. As mentioned on the current RailTalk podcast, I wrote for several publications in the '80s and '90s, including The Racing Times.

For the benefit of those who may be unaware of that excellent, though short-lived publication, Steve Crist was the founding editor-in-chief during its 1991-92 run. There was a very impressive stable of writers, some of whom are much better known for their much longer tenures at the DRF, and other industry publications, including Crist, Andy Beyer, Jay Privman, Mike Watchmaker, Steve Schuelein, Jay Hovdey, Steve Davidowiz, Ray Paulick, Frank Mitchell, Sid Fernando, and Dan Liebman, etc.

It really was a fine publication, and the first to feature Beyer Speed Figures.

I wrote editorial columns, and covered racing. Here is an example, in which I made that argument that Meadow Star, the 1990 Champion two-year-old filly undefeated in seven starts), would, based primarily on her pedigree, be vulnerable in the (then) 10 furlong Grade I Coaching Club Oaks at Belmont. She had only been beaten once in 12 starts at that point in her career, her only loss coming when fourth to Cahill Road in the Wood Memorial.

The obvious alternative choice, Lite Light (by Majestic Light), was, in contrast, bred to stay the trip, and won by seven widening lengths. Unfortunately, she also went off at 4/5, probably thanks in no small part to the filly's owner, the rap star MC Hammer, and his crew, who were known to be ridiculously aggressive at the windows!

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

@MattCTVG @sheabridge143 @RenCarothers Indeed it was!

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

I suppose one has to trust that the reinvention will be a good one. That begs an enormous amount of trust.

[Peter T. Fornatale @loomsboldly]

@Mike_Watchmaker I hear you but better to reinvent it and bring it out of the Stone Age than keep it in its current nether state. Belmont is dead. Long live Belmont! @DRFGrening

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

@caulks40 That would be awful.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

A lifetime ago, that was once my seat. It’s an emotional time for those who love Belmont Park.

[David Grening @DRFGrening]

A last look at current BELMONT from what I was privileged to call the best seat in the house.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Make it a final 0 for 14. Hard to believe.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

They certainly have live shots in the last two BC races, but thus far, California horses are 0 for 12 in this Breeders Cup. At their home track. Wow.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

Rosarioed. Yet again.

[Mike Watchmaker @Mike_Watchmaker]

They certainly have live shots in the last two BC races, but thus far, California horses are 0 for 12 in this Breeders Cup. At their home track. Wow.