Harvey Pack should know

[Linny]

Stall Mucker's premise is correct. I wouldn't go so far as to say the kid was exploited as Jake surely knows his stuff and seemed to be having a good time.

The issue is that this is a show aired on the OTB TV network and unlike the track, OTB is not about "family fun" or bringing the kids out for a day, it's about betting and it is in fact illegal to bring a child into an OTB facility in NY. (I have an 8yo son and don't get me started, I can't take him into an OTB to cash a ticket but I can take him to a place peddling lottery and or quick draw.)

Far be it from me to preach about children gambling as I have played poker with teenagers regularly for years and have sometimes funded the kids for friendly games. I've shown the same kids how to read the PP's and taken them to the track.
That said, I see SM's point. OTB's around NY are under a great deal of scrutiny from regulators in the state and from outside anti-gambling forces. No matter how skilled he is, placing a 10 (?) year old kid on a handicapping panel to select horses for a show going over the TV airwaves (cable, literally) on a network run by an OTB corporation may have been less than ideal judgement. Had the Siro's show been simply an "in-house" deal for those in attendance, it would be less of a big deal.

As for the morning shows on TV-12, no employee or representative of Capital OTB has anything to do with the production of the AM Saratoga show. There have been some problems with the new microphones but some folks have overcome the problems. The NYC show is produced by an entirely different crew from the Capital shows (Newsdesk, HNC, Call to the Post, Down the Stretch and Trackfacts) but all use the same equipment.

As to "personalities," there is no use in arguing. You are not likely to like everyone any network puts on the air. As BTW will attest, you cannot please everyone and there is no point in trying. I will say this, Anthony does shoot for the fences but he backs it up and bets his longshots. The "dart thrower" on the phone is Dick Powell, who is hitting at a very high ROI this meet and have given out several big priced horses. Ignore him at your own risk. In fact, if I were producing the show, I'd give Dick far MORE time on air to explain his selections.

[Gander]

Anthony Mormino is freaking awesome at handicapping. And hes first rate in front of the camera too. He comes up with more big priced winners than anyone I have ever seen and he shares them before the races, not afraid people will crush his prices.
I enjoy his show all year long and I am thrilled to see it still airs during the Toga meet. I never miss it.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by Linny

Stall Mucker's premise is correct. I wouldn't go so far as to say the kid was exploited as Jake surely knows his stuff and seemed to be having a good time.

The issue is that this is a show aired on the OTB TV network and unlike the track, OTB is not about "family fun" or bringing the kids out for a day, it's about betting and it is in fact illegal to bring a child into an OTB facility in NY. (I have an 8yo son and don't get me started, I can't take him into an OTB to cash a ticket but I can take him to a place peddling lottery and or quick draw.)

Far be it from me to preach about children gambling as I have played poker with teenagers regularly for years and have sometimes funded the kids for friendly games. I've shown the same kids how to read the PP's and taken them to the track.
That said, I see SM's point. OTB's around NY are under a great deal of scrutiny from regulators in the state and from outside anti-gambling forces. No matter how skilled he is, placing a 10 (?) year old kid on a handicapping panel to select horses for a show going over the TV airwaves (cable, literally) on a network run by an OTB corporation may have been less than ideal judgement. Had the Siro's show been simply an "in-house" deal for those in attendance, it would be less of a big deal.

As for the morning shows on TV-12, no employee or representative of Capital OTB has anything to do with the production of the AM Saratoga show. There have been some problems with the new microphones but some folks have overcome the problems. The NYC show is produced by an entirely different crew from the Capital shows (Newsdesk, HNC, Call to the Post, Down the Stretch and Trackfacts) but all use the same equipment.

As to "personalities," there is no use in arguing. You are not likely to like everyone any network puts on the air. As BTW will attest, you cannot please everyone and there is no point in trying. I will say this, Anthony does shoot for the fences but he backs it up and bets his longshots. The "dart thrower" on the phone is Dick Powell, who is hitting at a very high ROI this meet and have given out several big priced horses. Ignore him at your own risk. In fact, if I were producing the show, I'd give Dick far MORE time on air to explain his selections.

Thank You! I had no problem with Jake on the show, but to slam Capital OTB or NYC OTB for that matter is out of line. They all do a job, it's their opinion....you can agree or disagree with thier style or opinion but respect the job they do for the sport they love. It easy to comment on something that you haven't done before and slam them....that doesn't take anything but jealously. It was just an opinion about the show, no more than anybody else has here.

[Gander]

Why would anyone want to drag a child to a race track or an OTB? Its a place for adults. Children should be out doing things they can only do while they are young like playing ball and fooling around with teenage girls. Its why our society has gone to hell and why Andy Roddick is the #1 American player, becasue kids stopped being kids and parents are the ones to blame. We dont get Sampras, Agassi, Chang and Courier anymore. We get James Blake, Mardy Fish and Robby Ginepri. Teenage kids at the OTBs instead of at tennis academies.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Gander

Why would anyone want to drag a child to a race track or an OTB? Its a place for adults. Children should be out doing things they can only do while they are young like playing ball and fooling around with teenage girls. Its why our society has gone to hell and why Andy Roddick is the #1 American player, becasue kids stopped being kids and parents are the ones to blame. We dont get Sampras, Agassi, Chang and Courier anymore. We get James Blake, Mardy Fish and Robby Ginepri. Teenage kids at the OTBs instead of at tennis academies.

Are you serious?

[Gander]

About the teenage girls? Of course. And Andy Roddick even more so. The guy is the most overrated athlete of all time. If he was playing in the 90's he wouldnt be in the top 75. Have you watched him play?

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Gander

About the teenage girls? Of course. And Andy Roddick even more so. The guy is the most overrated athlete of all time. If he was playing in the 90's he wouldnt be in the top 75. Have you watched him play?

I don't know the first thing about tennis.

I guess you were being sarcastic with your post, which is what I hoped.

I look forward to watching Blake cheer for his opponent at the Open. The guy might as well wear Sharapova's outfit.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by philcski

I don't know the first thing about tennis.

I guess you were being sarcastic with your post, which is what I hoped.

Who's that in your Avatar Phil? Hap?

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by philcski

Are you serious?

I can't believe he mentioned Chang and Courrier in the same sentence with Agassi and Sampras

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

I can't believe he mentioned Chang and Courrier in the same sentence with Agassi and Sampras

They would smoke any American tennis player on the tour right now.

[Gander]

Courier was pretty darn good. The guy couldnt volley to save his life but yet made it to the finals of Wimbledon. His game was ugly and he was the ultimate workhorse/overachiever. So most on here can relate, he is comparable to Funny Cide.
Chang was very good too and if he was on Tour now, he'd be our #1 player by a lot. He could outrun Roddick in his sleep and had insane groundstrokes on both sides.
Agassi and Sampras were on another level, yes. But I dont think they would ever say that Chang and Courier shouldnt be mentioned in the same sentence. Courier owned a really good record against Agassi. He even beat him in the finals of the French, a surface that Agassi excelled on.

[Storm Cadet]

If you all don't want young Jake on air...let him post his picks here at DT!!! I'd love to see what he thinks! I'm not too old to learn from anybody in racing!

As for those who say teens should all be on ball fields and chasing teen honey's instead at a track, I'm all for cultivating younger kids interests in racing. I have taken my son's for 6 years now to Belmont and Saratoga, visiting the barns in the AM, gate training, Siro's handicapping show, The Horseshoe, The Breeders Cup. I've taken my youngest son who travels with me on hoops road trips to Churchill for lunch and track tour when we play Louisville. Whether they stay racing fans depends totally on them, but the time together is just like going to Yankee/Mets/Giants/Rangers games or road games to watch our teams play in different cities. It's time spent together showing them another SPORT that's important to me.

As for the gambling part, I also think that as a parent, I've got a responsibility to teach the kids about RESPONSIBLE wagering as a recreational activity, just as playing a $10 Nassau on a golf course is. I've seen way more college kids with gambling problems from the golf course and wagering on football and other sports than horse racing.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by Gander

Why would anyone want to drag a child to a race track or an OTB? Its a place for adults. Children should be out doing things they can only do while they are young like playing ball and fooling around with teenage girls. Its why our society has gone to hell and why Andy Roddick is the #1 American player, becasue kids stopped being kids and parents are the ones to blame. We dont get Sampras, Agassi, Chang and Courier anymore. We get James Blake, Mardy Fish and Robby Ginepri. Teenage kids at the OTBs instead of at tennis academies.

Everyone here on this board has a love/passion for racing. So what's wrong with trying to pass that love to your children? We all talk about how there is no young blood in the sport. Well we are trying to teach the next generation of fans. It is not about teaching my son about gambling, it's about teaching him about the differnt aspects of racing. My son and I do plenty of things and go to the track is one of them.

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Everyone here on this board has a love/passion for racing. So what's wrong with trying to pass that love to your children? We all talk about how there is no young blood in the sport. Well we are trying to teach the next generation of fans. It is not about teaching my son about gambling, it's about teaching him about the differnt aspects of racing. My son and I do plenty of things and go to the track is one of them.

Its darn fun. We had a blast at the track.
There were all sorts of petting zoos, live music, petting the ponies.
And my daughter played every sport as a kid so it was a good outlet.
Not like I drug her there every weekend, she wanted to go.

I think Gander might be used to seeing the gambling addicts who drag their
little bitty kids to an OTB and set them in a corner telling them to
sit still and shut up and the kids then run around bugging everyone
cause there is nothing to do. Ive seen this aspect during the off season
simulcasting. And its not good.

[asudevil]

See Avatar......Guilty as charged

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by asudevil

See Avatar......Guilty as charged

You are BAD!!!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Everyone here on this board has a love/passion for racing. So what's wrong with trying to pass that love to your children? We all talk about how there is no young blood in the sport. Well we are trying to teach the next generation of fans. It is not about teaching my son about gambling, it's about teaching him about the differnt aspects of racing. My son and I do plenty of things and go to the track is one of them.

i wouldn't take little kids, but mine are older, the youngest almost 17. future racing fans to keep the sport going in the future.

[herkhorse]

I took my little kids to the track yesterday and they loved it. The horses were just a small part of the whole experience. At one point Jan Rushton walked by us and my daughter said "Daddy look at that big silly hat!" With so much to look at, I think it's a great place for kids.

OTB's are another story

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by herkhorse

I took my little kids to the track yesterday and they loved it. The horses were just a small part of the whole experience. At one point Jan Rushton walked by us and my daughter said "Daddy look at that big silly hat!" With so much to look at, I think it's a great place for kids.

OTB's are another story

well, that's cool. i guess i thought they'd be bored, since there is a wait between races and all...
i just don't understand the big deal about a kid being on a show, whether children are allowed at OTB's or not. seems that with a parent, they ought to be allowed. maybe instead of railing against a youth being on the show, there ought to be a fuss made about them not being allowed in an OTB with a parent/guardian.