$5.50 for this?

[pick4]

Originally Posted by SundaySilence

How come the DRF can't list if a horse is a First Time Gelding? Prime Ruler just popped on Sunday at a $75 mutuel after going under the knife. If the rule in CAL is that trainer has to notify the racing office 72 hrs in advance it should be able to make it in the form. Also, a FTG or some other acronym should be noted in the PP. If there is one thing I would like added to the DRF it would be this.

California Horse Racing Board
State of California
Display of Rule No. 1865 , "Altering of Sex of Horse."

Rule No. Rule Title
1865 Altering of Sex of Horse.
Rule Text Any alteration to the sex of a horse from the sex as recorded on the Certificate of Foal Registration or the Eligibility Certificate or other official registration certificate of such horse shall be reported to the Racing Secretary and the Official Horse Identifier if such horse is registered to race at any race meeting. (a) Should the gelding or castration of a race horse be performed on the premises of a licensed racing association, the trainer shall report the same within 72 hours. (b) Should the gelding or castration of a race horse be performed off the premises of a licensed racing association and the horse has been previously registered to race at any race meeting in this State, the owner and/or trainer shall report the same at the time the horse is next registered to race. (c) Any such report will include the name of the veterinarian performing the alteration and the date of the alteration, and shall be recorded on the official registration certificate and the Official Horse Identification record of such horse. NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 19420, 19440, 19460 and 19562, Business and Professions Code. HISTORY: 1. New rule filed 7-11-75; effective 8-10-75.

I've asked Steve Crist the same question you posed and he said that the information is not available when they print the pp's.

I don't understand why there is all the nitpicking about this fine paper. Sure it stinks that the price is $5.50 on newstands but they have to cover the costs of manufacturing and distributing the paper. I use Formy 4.1 most of the time and it's worth its weight in gold. I have a laser printer and buy rebuilt printing cartridges so I can print hundreds of cards before I need a new cartridge. Once I have the card printed I use Formy 4.1 to look up the charts and at times trainer info.

I prefer Formy 4.1 but the print paper is fine. The main difference is I have to look up charts in my archives for the last three when I buy the print edition.
Nonetheless I always buy a next day Form when I go to Belmont or Saratoga.

Frankel's money burning 6 horse in the 1st at Hollywood on 5/16 is a FTG (gelded on 04/19/08 according to the Cal Vet List Report) and DRF can't get this info in the form? Seems like a real lame excuse, at least for Cal this info is available, why it isn't in the form is beyond me.

[pick4]

Originally Posted by SundaySilence

Frankel's money burning 6 horse in the 1st at Hollywood on 5/16 is a FTG (gelded on 04/19/08 according to the Cal Vet List Report) and DRF can't get this info in the form? Seems like a real lame excuse, at least for Cal this info is available, why it isn't in the form is beyond me.

That's a good question and that is why I asked Mr. Crist the same question. I think more people should take the time to write or call drf about this topic. DRF is horseplayer friendly publication. If more of their customers ask about first time geldings they might go the extra mile to add it to their paper.

He's listed as a gelding in the DRF, but with the info given you have no clue when he was gelded. DRF's database should have shown that he was a colt for the 4/12 start and is now a gelding, some notation in the form should show this.

[pick4]

Originally Posted by SundaySilence

He's listed as a gelding in the DRF, but with the info given you have no clue when he was gelded. DRF's database should have shown that he was a colt for the 4/12 start and is now a gelding, some notation in the form should show this.

You are preaching to the choir. Make a post on Steve Crist's blog. cristblog.drf.com . Write a letter to the editor.

But here's one reason you might not want this specfic info publicized.
If you know a horse is a FTG and most of the bettors do not. That's an edge which you have over your competition.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by SundaySilence

He's listed as a gelding in the DRF, but with the info given you have no clue when he was gelded. DRF's database should have shown that he was a colt for the 4/12 start and is now a gelding, some notation in the form should show this.

The gelding situation has been explained endlessly....but I will do it for the 567th time.....


Providing information that is right SOME of the time is far worse than not providing it at all. The very simple fact is that gelding information is provided by the Jockey Club and a very poor job is done reporting this information. Some jurisdictions, like California, do a great job, while some, like Florida, do a terrible job. As the system stands now it is impossible for DRF to get the information anywhere close to accurately thus they cannot provide it reliably.

It is the system that needs to be changed, and I strongly believe it should be, but until that is done DRF cannot responsibly provide information that is not 100% accurate.

[fpsoxfan]

The DRF has always done well by me. Prices increase. That's economics.
I guess when I'm betting hundreds of dollars over a course of a day, I'm not really thinking about the $5.50. I guess I equate that to someone driving around the area of Nelson Avenue for a half hour trying to save a dollar or two on parking when they are about to bet a few hundred bucks.

[ArlJim78]

i don't use the form on a regular basis, although I like to pick one up on Saturdays to read at breakfast. but what I don't get is the idea that its overpriced. it comes to less than $1 a card, and you get very good pp's, commentary, analysis, features. i think its a great bargain. of course if you play a lot there are other ways you can go but still, not a bad deal if you ask me.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

The DRF has always done well by me. Prices increase. That's economics.
I guess when I'm betting hundreds of dollars over a course of a day, I'm not really thinking about the $5.50. I guess I equate that to someone driving around the area of Nelson Avenue for a half hour trying to save a dollar or two on parking when they are about to bet a few hundred bucks.

Yea, if you're pissing away a hundred or two in take-out each day,then the $5.50 looks like a value ( in comparison.)