we often have it backwards - Pace and Cap

Tim Y · 03-30-2009, 11:31 AM

Recently ran into an old friend, now retired, who had been an OR surgical nurse when I first arrived here. We played softball on a hospital team where I met her husband, a real estate salesman. I was sorry to hear of his passing because this guy was unique: he didn't know much at all about handicapping. It was his belief that he saw people wasting far too much time confusing themselves constantly adding more information to their decisions when it is the wager they should spend their time on.

We went to the races a few times and his winnings were huge as he only played exotics. I should re-state that: he was either break even or boxcars as there was little between the two.

Many times as I recall, he would state that people learning the game have it BACKWARDS: they should master the wagering ideas, get good at it before even beginning the handicapping side of it. Sounds a bit difficult to do, but then he was a reminder to me that we spend FAR too much time on one and not the other.

Nice guy who was unique in my experience of anyone at the track. Sorry to hear he is gone.

03-30-2009, 11:31 AM	#1
Tim Y turf historian Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,455	we often have it backwards Recently ran into an old friend, now retired, who had been an OR surgical nurse when I first arrived here. We played softball on a hospital team where I met her husband, a real estate salesman. I was sorry to hear of his passing because this guy was unique: he didn't know much at all about handicapping. It was his belief that he saw people wasting far too much time confusing themselves constantly adding more information to their decisions when it is the wager they should spend their time on. We went to the races a few times and his winnings were huge as he only played exotics. I should re-state that: he was either break even or boxcars as there was little between the two. Many times as I recall, he would state that people learning the game have it BACKWARDS: they should master the wagering ideas, get good at it before even beginning the handicapping side of it. Sounds a bit difficult to do, but then he was a reminder to me that we spend FAR too much time on one and not the other. Nice guy who was unique in my experience of anyone at the track. Sorry to hear he is gone. __________________ Albert Einstein:"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."