'Horseplayers' on ESQ TV -- Debuts 1/21, 10p ET

[art vanderlay]

We would have been alive other than losing by a whisker.

[joeydb]

I liked the show. Not perfect, but not that bad either.

[Calzone Lord]

It was amusing, if nothing else.

Pretty darn entertaining...but, kind of silly.

[Scav]

I liked the NY guys alot, my only thing about it is be accurate. They had Groupie Doll at 20/1 in the 2012 Cigar Mile (also didn't know that is 'when' the show was starting) AND then Zagora was actually in the FM Sprint.

Hellmers is obviously very talented with his previous record, but I do feel that he will turn people off because he is just downright weird.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Scav

Hellmers is obviously very talented with his previous record, but I do feel that he will turn people off because he is just downright weird.

It's hard to read much into him.

Is his oddball behavior an act for the camera?

I've never seen a horseplayer win with such dignity. Pittsburgh Phil (quite inaccurately) was portrayed to win like that. But the best racing mind of that time who put stuff to print, Walter Vosbugh, wrote that Pittsburgh Phil would have horrible temper tantrums after races, and he was a fierce complainer when he didn't agree with a weight assignment his horse was handicapped with.

Headband Weirdo's two contest showings for the Breeders' Cup were extremely impressive, but contests are about stabbing at longshots, and the sample size of races are small.

If you're to believe the Rotunda table, that hot Mail-Order Bride selected five straight winners in a row, solely on the basis of name.

A contest is basically a race to the highest score, so you generally have to stab with longshots and bypass logical horses if you want to win them.

My gut feeling is "I'd sure love to book that guys action over the long-term" -- but who knows. It will be interesting to see more episodes.

[Mike A]

I thought it was entertaining enough to watch the next episode.

Groupie Doll at 20/1 in the Cigar Mile, say what?

Fake announcer at Santa Anita, really, guess an agreement with Frank didn't happen

Not sure about Hellmers thou, some zen like capping or just playing to the camera, none the less, 2nd in the BC tourney back to back.

Team Rotondo, $900 for a pick 4 and pick 6, not sure how it was played, but they seemed to miss on both, when they lost the photo

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Mike A

Not sure about Hellmers thou, some zen like capping or just playing to the camera, none the less, 2nd in the BC tourney back to back.

He's advocated for betting exchanges in the US ... which makes him respectable in my book, even if he's an otherwise Vegan Weirdo Douche.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

It's hard to read much into him.

Is his oddball behavior an act for the camera?

I've never seen a horseplayer win with such dignity. Pittsburgh Phil (quite inaccurately) was portrayed to win like that. But the best racing mind of that time who put stuff to print, Walter Vosbugh, wrote that Pittsburgh Phil would have horrible temper tantrums after races, and he was a fierce complainer when he didn't agree with a weight assignment his horse was handicapped with.

Headband Weirdo's two contest showings for the Breeders' Cup were extremely impressive, but contests are about stabbing at longshots, and the sample size of races are small.

If you're to believe the Rotunda table, that hot Mail-Order Bride selected five straight winners in a row, solely on the basis of name.

A contest is basically a race to the highest score, so you generally have to stab with longshots and bypass logical horses if you want to win them.

My gut feeling is "I'd sure love to book that guys action over the long-term" -- but who knows. It will be interesting to see more episodes.

Mike Gundy voice: "That's not true!"

That might be the case in NHC type contests Doug but, this is the live BCBC, a whole different format. When you have to bet a minimum of $600 on 5 races from Friday's BC program and $900 on 6 races from Saturday's program.
You can't throw that kinda money at bombs just hoping to connect on one.

While I will be the first to say that Helmers is Grade 1 douche on camera, his two performances over four days of Breeders Cup races at two different tracks is not a fluke. The biggest mistake he made was betting very little of his bankroll on Fort Larned. (Who he said, he had a huge opinion on)

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

Mike Gundy voice: "That's not true!"

I'm a MAN! I'm 40! Come after ME!

[ateamstupid]

Finally got around to watching the first episode today and I liked it. There were some issues, but overall it was well-produced and a fun hour. The NY guys are good on camera. I hope going forward, there's more about the nuts and bolts of handicapping, but we'll see. If nothing else, it's some positive press for an industry that is constantly getting raked over the coals for this or that. Hellmers is a kook.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Finally got around to watching the first episode today and I liked it. There were some issues, but overall it was well-produced and a fun hour. The NY guys are good on camera. I hope going forward, there's more about the nuts and bolts of handicapping, but we'll see. If nothing else, it's some positive press for an industry that is constantly getting raked over the coals for this or that. Hellmers is a kook.

Also watched and was expecting not to like it due to some of the "mistakes" pointed out here. I was pleasantly surprised, I also loved the New York crews. Question I have was the breeders cup footage of Helmers shot after the fact. I have never seen someone so devoid of emotion after a major possibly life altering score.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by jms62

Also watched and was expecting not to like it due to some of the "mistakes" pointed out here. I was pleasantly surprised, I also loved the New York crews. Question I have was the breeders cup footage of Helmers shot after the fact. I have never seen someone so devoid of emotion after a major possibly life altering score.

I got the sense from Hellmers that despite building the lead through the day, he never felt comfortable. I think he was girding himself against the possibility of the repeat an anguishing beat... and he was right. That McGoey did it a second year in a row is one of the most remarkable, implausible results imaginable.

I didn't realize that I hadn't commented yet about the show.. I didn't get to it until Wednesday and enjoyed it. Early highlight was scene at Belmont track kitchen Morning Line with Conte where the great (sometime jock agent) Winston Heslop was hanging out. Was sad seeing St. Nicholas Abbey and Ramon in spots. Thought despite the minor glitches and simplified betting conversation that it was entertaining and a good start.

[asudevil]

Conte seems like a very likable guy.

[Alabama Stakes]

teller tells the guy good luck......I thought you only got the kiss of death from local telllers at Saratoga.

[santana]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

teller tells the guy good luck......I thought you only got the kiss of death from local telllers at Saratoga.

That teller is actually a teller at NYRA for 40 years.....

Originally Posted by santana

That teller is actually a teller at NYRA for 40 years.....

I worked at NYRA from 1978-1991; I thought he looked familiar, but don't remember his name.

[Benny]

Much better than SOU. Getting to like the east coast crew, but Helmers is what i call an E A (egotistical ******* ), mugging ,playing to the camera and trying to be joe cool. Liked Beychok as down to earth nice guy, very likeable and Conte reminds me of a departed mentor who knew hiss horses and liked to entertain. Better episode this time around.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Ocala Mike

I worked at NYRA from 1978-1991; I thought he looked familiar, but don't remember his name.

Sal. I've known him for years. Very nice man.