Whenever I bet Rosario at Hollywood Park, which I do quite often, I damn sure know where my horse stands throughout the race.
Vic is probably human and does concentrate a bit more on Rosario than others, and how could he not? He does have a vested interest in the success of one horse over the others, and like anyone in that situation, you tend to keep an eye on that horse and the trip he's getting.
If people are noticing this, and I believe those who watch Hollywood everyday are, then Hollywood has to make a decision whether or not this is a significant problem. The problem not being Vic, but the problem allowing announcers to be jock's agents.
Others on this forum have rightly alluded to announcers wagering on a race and thereby having a conflict as well. While I agree, it would seem much easier for them to "mask" this conflict, as there allegiance changes from race to race, and is not focused on one jockey (or trainer, for that matter).
And announcers do have lots of friends at the track, especially announcers such as Vic.
So I guess individual tracks have to decide on their own what to do with each of these "conflicts", keeping in mind that many (such as gambling on the races) are not enforceable (the announcer would just have a friend make the wager like jockeys do).
For me, I would not allow the announcer to be a jocks agent as well. I think I would be setting the track, and my announcer, up to criticism. Our sport has enough perceived conflicts surrounding it with the general public.....
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