[lsosa54]

I think that everyone has contributions to make if they want to make them. Bill just wants to help folks - I think that's terrific. Tom Brohamer was exactly the same way. Think about this: I wrote a note to his contact address (might have been his publisher) not long after reading his book to see if he would meet with me and answer my questions. This was well before the internet and email.

He took the time to write me back and gave me his phone number. We set up a meeting before the races at a freaking Mc Donalds in Monrovia, CA, a couple of miles from Santa Anita. He spent about 45 minutes with me answering my questions truthfully and honestly.

What other author would have done that for someone? Not many.My sense is Jimmy was the same way. These guys, Doc, and many others just wanted folks to be successful.

We either have a choice to carry on this tradition as best we can or just be out for ourselves and trash the tradition. The software tool "torch" has now been passed on to Ted. However, the "helping others be successful if they want to be" torch has been passed to each of us if we want a piece.

I think someone (maybe Bob Cochran) said something to the effect that this endeavor was simple but NOT EASY. This endeavor takes a lot of work, discipline , and consistency or the "racing gods" will destroy your bankroll and confidence faster than you can say: (insert word of choice).

That's why Froggy's recent approach has been inspiring. He was getting his butt kicked and admitted to himself that he was treating his endeavor like a game and not a business, which he had been successful at running. He started a consistent approach using Energy at one track, keeping consistent records like a business, and look at his 20 race cycles now.

In my 20 years of handicapping, the lying that goes on is tremendous. You know why? Because losing is tough to stomach, both on the male ego and the pocketbook! How many guys have you seen at the track in the old days yelling and screaming for horses to tell you they hit the a big tri and then by the 9th race you see them scrounging for discarded tickets on the floor?

There used to be a guy in the Santa Anita clubhouse we used to call "whip it" - he used to scream that term for every horse that was in the lead at every point of call. After a while we got used to him screaming for 4 or 5 different horses to win the race. He either bought tickets on the field or just wanted to feel smarter than everyone else.

Another guy (smart guy, lawyer by trade) would not play a horse ridden by Gary Stevens. I can't tell you how many bets and $ he lost by taking that tact.

A buddy of mine was convinced Eddie D. stiffed his horse every time he rode one that he bet. He would curse poor Eddie and every member of his family out after Eddie crossed the finish line. Of course, he never took responsibility for his own handicapping.

I would love to sit down for a few hours with a bunch of you guys and discuss approaches to see if we can help each other. I bet we would win a bunch of races but each of us would win different ones. A lot of power in learning in that manner. My $.02