Killing Them (selves) Slowly

I know I am rapidly becoming “get off my lawn” guy, but here’s a little perspective.

Racing is killing itself slowly for the everyday handicapper.

I acknowledge that the industry is a complex one, with the big money at the breeders’ and owners’ end, and less so at the $2 bettors’ end. But the industry is just crushing the little guy.

I bet more than $2 a race, but I can’t buy the DRF in my town. Two stores get exactly one copy, so if you aren’t the first one there, tough nuggets.

I sometimes buy the form online and am slowly transitioning to the Ipad. Seems great, must be a cost savings getting the form online. Nope. $10 in the store, $9.95 online.

They had my password and accounts so screwed up last spring, that it took weeks to unscramble. I was going to try their DRF bets product, but they never could figure out why my account wouldn’t open and work.

Going to the track is becoming an “event”. I’m not allowed in the Stretch at Saratoga apparently, and was met with some disdain for inquiring about the cost. Apparently I’m not a corporation buying a season box, so they’ll get back to me.

Used to walk in the track for 2-3 bucks, grab a form for five, and you were good to go.

Thirsty? That bottle of water will be $5.

I’ve adapted. I play from home more. I kinda like TVG. The hosts are fun, and they manage to keep my account working and open, though the 2 minute delay causes me to sometimes get shut out.

I use another vendor’s stable alert product. Recently that has been screwed up, as it posts the races in Greenwich mean time, and I don’t mean Connecticut. I used their chat to ask for help. Said they couldn’t help, I should E mail their support. I emailed support. They said they couldn’t help at all, and that I should contact outlook.

Thanks for the help.

It ain’t easy to win at the track. Scores of books will tell you so.

But more and more, it seems like they don’t even want to invite you in for an honest gamble.