Stauffer's call of the 6th tonight.

[JerseyJ]

The whole premise of this thread was debating whether it's a conflict of interest that Vic Stauffer while being the track announcer at Hollywood Park also performs work as the jockey agent for one of the jocks that ride out of Hollywood Park. I am not going to argue whether it's wrong or right because everyone here has their own opinions on the issue, but I think judging by the definition of a conflict of interest, it's clear that possessing both jobs is a conflict of interest.

Conflict of Interest by definition: A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization (such as a policeman, lawyer, insurance adjuster, politician, engineer, executive, director of a corporation, medical research scientist, physician, writer, editor, or any other entrusted individual or organization) has an interest that might compromise their actions. The presence of a conflict of interest is independent from the execution of impropriety.

Quite clearly most here cannot read fine print, because in that statement it is clear that the issue at hand here is quite obvious. By acting as a jock's agent for Joel Rosario and the track announcer at the track he rides at, Vic has an interest(representing Rosario) that MIGHT compromise his actions as the track announcer. I am not going to get into the race call or anything else because that's been beaten like a dead horse, but to say that Vic holding both roles doesn't constitute a conflict of interest or at the very least a potential conflict of interest is horsesh!t. It's right there in the fine print and definition that holding both roles constitutes a conflict of interest. As I said, I am not going to get into whether he makes it one or not because it's not the issue at hand here. He does a great job at what he does, but yes, it certainly qualifies under definition to be a conflict of interest.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by JerseyJ

The whole premise of this thread was debating whether it's a conflict of interest that Vic Stauffer while being the track announcer at Hollywood Park also performs work as the jockey agent for one of the jocks that ride out of Hollywood Park. I am not going to argue whether it's wrong or right because everyone here has their own opinions on the issue, but I think judging by the definition of a conflict of interest, it's clear that possessing both jobs is a conflict of interest.

The premise is fine. That's a legit concern. A lot of people (who don't like him doing both jobs ) accused him of doing something wrong in that 6th race. I think, if they'd of handicapped the race, they would see this horse had run the fastest. They could see the horse ran 2nd to a horse who is beating winners now. Horse has run 2nd or 3rd in the prior three races at the level. I think most callers would have their eye on that horse. I know I would have. It's a very poor piece of evidence to accuse someone with. Should just say they don't like the guy doing both jobs(instead of wildly fishing like this.)

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

The premise is fine. That's a legit concern.

What exactly is the concern? Let's consider a number of possibilities, assuming, for sake of argument, that Vic 'favors' (whatever the **** that might mean) Rosario in his calls. And, the further assumption that EVERYONE is actually listening to the call of the race. (I wonder what this percentage is.)

1) Rosario's horse gets all the attention in the call and wins the race:

THOSE THAT BET THE HORSE WIN. THOSE THAT DIDN'T LOSE (assuming they bet a loser).

2) Rosario's horse gets all the attention in the call and doesn't win the race:

THOSE THAT BET THE HORSE LOSE. THOSE THAT DIDN'T DON'T LOSE (unless they bet another loser, which Vic's call wouldn't affect ).




Oh Yeah, I can definitely see where there's 'legit concern'.

Should we move on to those cases where Vic's call affects the outcome of the race? Didn't think so.

Of course, Rosario is presently leading jockey out there and I'm SURE that Vic's calls are the reason.

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

What exactly is the concern? Let's consider a number of possibilities, assuming, for sake of argument, that Vic 'favors' (whatever the **** that might mean) Rosario in his calls. And, the further assumption that EVERYONE is actually listening to the call of the race. (I wonder what this percentage is.)

1) Rosario's horse gets all the attention in the call and wins the race:

THOSE THAT BET THE HORSE WIN. THOSE THAT DIDN'T LOSE (assuming they bet a loser).

2) Rosario's horse gets all the attention in the call and doesn't win the race:

THOSE THAT BET THE HORSE LOSE. THOSE THAT DIDN'T DON'T LOSE (unless they bet another loser, which Vic's call wouldn't affect ).




Oh Yeah, I can definitely see where there's 'legit concern'.

Should we move on to those cases where Vic's call affects the outcome of the race? Didn't think so.

Of course, Rosario is presently leading jockey out there and I'm SURE that Vic's calls are the reason.

This is a misrepresentation of the posters point.
He said legit conern about the announcing, he had already
made the point, as have many others, that it does nothing to
effect the outcome of the race. You are looking at it totally
from a wagering point of view.

If someone, God forbid, actually watched racing for pleasure,
and wished the event was presented in an accurate audible
manner, then it might be a concern. There are people on this
board that do not bet, but just like racing.

string em up.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

What exactly is the concern?

Obviously, some people are bothered by this situation. I'm o.k. with it, but I can see why people would be bothered by it. If there's a big stakes race with 4 horses bobing at the wire, then Joel could win 2k, or 12k. He has to act the same way (regardless of how the bob goes.) It's weird.

[dylbert]

Vic is always entertaining and engaging in his race calling. He brings that same personality to his posts and conversations here. Vic responds to posts here and private messages in professional, and often, humorous manner.

If stonegossard can't stand the heat, maybe he should get out of the kitchen, to paraphrase President Harry S Truman. 37 posts by one member on thread that he started! stonegossard never had a real argument just an opinion that carried on for much too long.

[stonegossard]

Originally Posted by dylbert

Vic is always entertaining and engaging in his race calling. He brings that same personality to his posts and conversations here. Vic responds to posts here and private messages in professional, and often, humorous manner.

If stonegossard can't stand the heat, maybe he should get out of the kitchen, to paraphrase President Harry S Truman. 37 posts by one member on thread that he started! stonegossard never had a real argument just an opinion that carried on for much too long.

Again....I just reply to the guys posting to me/taking shots at me. It's either that or clam up and have the same clowns say I am chickensh#t or as you so eloquently put it...can't stand the heat. I chose the first approach.


The only thing sadder than me responding I guess is you actually counting my replies. That is pretty sad amigo.


But who am I to criticize a Turf Economist.

[dylbert]

Originally Posted by stonegossard

Again....I just reply to the guys posting to me/taking shots at me. It's either that or clam up and have the same clowns say I am chickensh#t or as you so eloquently put it...can't stand the heat. I chose the first approach.


The only thing sadder than me responding I guess is you actually counting my replies. That is pretty sad amigo.


But who am I to criticize a Turf Economist.

Thirty-eight... LOL! I did not take shot at you and did not call you any name. Simply, I stated my opinion that enough is enough. Counting replies merely quantified your level of obsurdity, or obsession, here.

Let me close with famous Dan Rowan-Dick Martin bit, "Say goodnight, Dick. Goodnight, Dick."

[Rupert Pupkin]

I think people should always try to be polite, even on a message board. Yet I still can't fault Vic in the least bit for his orginal response. I think the first post of this thread was way out of line and very mean spirited. I think Vic's response of "Bite me" was actually a tame response to a very personal attack.

I think it would have been fine if the original post was something to the effect of, "If you listen to Vic's calls very closely, you may be able to pick up that he is paying slightly more attention to Rosario's horses." That would have been fine. It wouldn't have been rude and it wouldn't have been a personal attack. It would have just been an observation. But that wasn't what happened. It was a personal attack and I don't blame Vic for responding, "Bite me."

I think Vic would have responded in a more respectful way if the criticism was given in a respectful way.

Vic is not "thin-skinned" in the least bit. He takes criticism extremely well and he is the first one to poke fun at himself.

Vic is one of the premiere racecallers in the country and Hollywood Park is lucky to have him. I don't care if he has a rooting interest in each race. As others have said, many racecallers are bettors so that means they have a rooting interest in races too. That's just reality. I think that all the racecallers I have heard do a very good job of staying objective in their calls. I think it is only on rare occasions when an announcer tips his hand as to who he is rooting for. Announcers are human. They try to stay objective but they are human. It's the same with newscasters. They try to stay objective but at times you can figure out what political party a newsman is affiliated with. That doesn't mean the newsman is not a great newsman.

By the way, I think the only reason that some people even think they notice a bias in Vic's calls is because they know that Vic is Rosario's agent and they are looking for a bias in his calls. If these people didn't know that Vic was Rosario's agent, I doubt they would notice any bias.

Anyway, I think Vic is doing a great job and it doesn't bother me in the least bit that he is wearing two hats. Vic is a true professional. Even though he doesn't take himself seriously, he takes his work extremely seriously and that is why he is so good at it. He bends over backwards to stay objective in his racecalls and I think he's doing a great job.

Keep up the great work Vic!