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Post by italianstallion on Feb 27, 2022 8:01:19 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I’m Gene, at 74, I have Jack beat by a neck on the Seniors tour,😂 I live in Maryland and have been involved with horseracing for over 60 years. I got hooked playing the horses from my parents who frequented Charleston WV , Bowie and Laurel in Maryland. For ten years I was a partner of a thoroughbred Racing Stable based in Maryland. We traveled to Parx, Delaware, Colonial Downs , CT , Tampa and of course Laurel and Pimlico in Maryland. Even though there were many ups and downs, most of our 13 member partnership enjoyed visiting the track on race day and having lunch , a few spirits😂 and bringing our families to celebrate in the winners circle. We started out as a claiming stable and then started to buy 2 year olds in training at the Timonium Fasig Tipton Sale. We were fortunate to have riders like Edgar Prado, Ramon Dominguez, Trevor McCarthy and other local top ten journeyman ride for us.
I’m primarily an online contest player. The best for me, which is small potatoes for the majority of UIC players, is a $300 winner of the Remington Park Equi base contest years ago. I find myself finishing close in a number of tournaments but no cigar. I really enjoy this forum and the contests. Thanks to my friend Pedalcar, Ron, who was also a partner in our Horserace Stable, I would never had known about this forum. Outside of horseracing, I did win a few years ago, TW’s NFL regular season and playoff contest. I like participating in the golf and college football and basketball contests as well. I want to wish everyone the best of luck and thanks to Dell for this contest.
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jolyb
UpInClass Member
Posts: 897
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Post by jolyb on Feb 27, 2022 10:20:07 GMT -5
Hello. My name is Jolyan and I live in Connecticut. I grew up along the Jersey shore very close to Monmouth Park and developed a curiousity about horse racing while in high school when I caddied at a local country club for golfers who owned racehorses and raced them at Monmouth. That led to occasional visits to the track and learning how to read the pp's in what was then called the Morning Telegraph. Life somehow managed to get in the way, things like school, military obligation, career, marriage and family. I was reintroduced to racing in 1990 or so when I was invited for an outing at Saratoga, saw Go For Wand win the Alabama in majestic fashion and was hooked on the spot. I've played in a number of online handicapping contests over the years, occasionally managing some minor awards but nothing worth bragging about. I had a fair amount of success in NYRA's old fantasy stables and once qualified for the finals of a contest sponsored by Sam Houston Race Park. I've always enjoyed the camaraderie shown by players at UIC and am looking forward to the 2022 UIC Open.
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Post by bobtailnag on Feb 27, 2022 14:03:06 GMT -5
Dad, in our neighborhood there was a man who walked around for miles a carrying a large metal box with dry ice and ice cream but the cost was .05. This was about 1947.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2022 16:48:16 GMT -5
Keith from Winnipeg. Haven't had much success in tournaments other than a couple of local ones here. I'm going to focus more on tournament play since I am retiring from my day job on March 1.
Been around UIC for 10 or 11 years now. Always enjoy the horseplay!
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propro
UpInClass Member
Posts: 921
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Post by propro on Feb 28, 2022 7:35:08 GMT -5
Peter from NJ. I found interest as a kid watching WOR's "Racing From" (Aquduct, Belmont, Saratoga) and listening to stretch calls of throughbred and harness on WCBS radio. Been on this fantastic board for about 23 years and have had some minor success on this board's contests. I seem to get lucky picking some claimers each year. :-) Was incredibly lucky to get to the 2014 NHC when I somehow finished second in the 2013 Del Mar Online Handicapping Challenge. Finished 111 in that NHC and I was a zig away from making the final day. Nothing worse in those contests than being between two horses and playing the wrong one. It was the most incredible experience for me and I hope to be able to get back there one day. Too many life responsibilities now to get involved to try, but who knows what the future brings.
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Post by cherokeescot on Feb 28, 2022 9:52:01 GMT -5
Bev from Aberdeen , Scotland but now reside in Ocala , Florida where I have a 10 acre horse farm. Previous winner of the UIC Open . UIC Claiming Contest and the Saratoga Cup Classic. Occasionally play online but find most of my time now is taken up running my farm . Used to own several horses in my racing stable , Hot Scot Racing , but like many others have became rather disillusioned with the game in recent years . However I had my first runner in over a year at Tampa recently and hoping he does well enough to rekindle my interest . Enjoy playing the UIC contests and over the years have met many fellow members at Saratoga, Belmont , Churchill Downs , Gulfstream Park , Tampa Bay Downs and Santa Anita .
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eye123
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 2,719
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Post by eye123 on Feb 28, 2022 11:17:54 GMT -5
First of all, let me say I’m feeling much younger reading some of these bios. (70 this year) Born and raised in NY (City,Island) Lived but a short distance from Belmont. (How could I not get involved with horses)Have seen some of the greats run live, Spectacular Bid in the Flamingo(Hialeah) stands out as one to remember as well as John Henry at Santa Anita. Tournaments have never been an interest for me.(except here)(don’t even remember them offered in the early years…more prolific nowadays) Much more a cash player. Ended up here when Dell put out an invitation on the TVG forum. Like most, checked it out…followed…then joined. Good decision. Enjoy the conversation,friendliness,willingness to share here. Currently retired living in Florida.
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Post by partsnut on Feb 28, 2022 11:28:47 GMT -5
Those that know me call me Bill. I am 82 years of age
I broke into the game about 67 years ago. I bought my first "Winnerguide" magazine and a copy of the NY Telegraph from the Newsstand on the corner of E.23rd St and 4th Ave. In Manhattan (NYC). I found a bookmaker in a loft building in New York's Fur district on W27th Street. I bet on a horse called Prince Willie which won and paid $20.00 + to win. From then and there on, I was hooked. I was all of 15 years old.
I have won the P.A.I.H.L contest and a few small contests on PaceAdvantage. I also won the most wins segment of the Meadowlands Survivol contest. I finished 12th, 13th and 13th in three consecutive Brisnet contests which at that time had over 5000 entries per contest. I have finished in the money in a few Horse Tourney and Horse Player contests.
I had a "Synergism" Horse racing Group with over 120 members Including Bob Purdy who was an honorary member and role model for the group
I have owned 3 Standard bred horses, Irish Lehigh, Harvey Rockland and The Sunday Man. I lived in Las Vegas for over 10 years and had the pleasure of associating and playing with the late Eric Langhar (Post Time Daily) Michael Perry (Sartin Programmer) and my very close friend Doug Manley (Post Time Daily and The Gamblers Book Store.) I also met Michael Pizzola, Tom Hambleton, Murray Krantz, Paul Peterson and many other racing noteables. I attended the 1993 Handicapping Expo.
It is my pleasure to associate with the UpInClass board, the best racing group on the internet which in my mind has the most formidable and friendliest contest players.
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Post by PonyGirlJCM on Feb 28, 2022 13:59:18 GMT -5
Hello..... My name is Michele..... 66 years young..... living in Connecticut I was introduced to this forum by a friend and when I made a post Dell invited me to join and I did The first time I chose a horse for a Race was back in the 80s... I was driving a cab at the time and in between fares I had asked another driver what he was up to.... He told me he was trying to pick some winners for the day and he hadn't been doing well lately... He gave me the paper and asked me who I liked..I told him I knew nothing about horses and he stated that I couldn't do any worse than he had been... when I told him my choice he informed me that there was no way that horse could win... that all the other entries would be in their stalls clean and fed before he hit the wire...I told him he asked me and that I liked the name of that horse and that would be my choice..... the next day he comes up to me and hands me $15 and tells me to take my kid to lunch on him as he decided to go with what I said and lo and behold it was a winner... When I play a contest I usually play that same way..... I choose by names that mean something... hunches... and if long odds even better... I do on occasion look at PPs when available... I play some of the contests here and a few free online ones... I believe I have won a couple here on UIC... one I donated back... one I had Tom give to Dell to play when he went to Saratoga... (?) A few years ago I took second place in the Monmouth Survival at the Shore for $500 and the following year I won it for $1000... I am nowhere near in a league with the great handicappers here but enjoy the comraderie...met a few when I went to Saratoga one year and hope to meet others one day... I also post National Days string in the Basement.....
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Post by diablo313 on Feb 28, 2022 20:11:08 GMT -5
Wow - nice qualifying request Del, absolute gold reading all the bios, so surprising in many cases, the face behind the persona... I'm David, 60, from a small city east of Toronto... no real tourney "skill" except a couple of new player qualifier wins on horse tourneys (which I stopped playing cuz I couldn't register from Canada), and my close calls in the wonderful contests that are run here... started playing late, only about 10 or so years ago, still learning and strive to be as good as the cappers here...
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1hooper
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 6,747
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Post by 1hooper on Feb 28, 2022 21:17:27 GMT -5
Jim,67, born in Providence RI. Have lived and worked in Connecticut,RI and Massachusetts. Only play contests here. 1966,dad got me a job walking hots at Narragansett Park for $1 per horse.Big money!Had the privilege of walking Dependability who earned over $150,000 in his career. www.pedigreequery.com/dependability Take a look at the names in his pedigree. Attended races at 'gansett,suffolk,rockingham,lincoln,aqueduct,belmont,saratoga,tampa bay,gulfstream,churchill,laurel,pimlico,delaware,woodbine,penn national,brockton,northhampton,great barrington,green mountain. Biggest $2 payoffs were to Win Arcangues at $269,Double Pilsudski/Alphabet Soup at $485,Exacta Singletary/Antonius Pius at $1495 and Pick 3 of Domedriver/Orientate/Starine at $4651. Highlight of ownership career was the filly Stratos who was a G1 winner and who we sold for $500K. My favorite horse was Precisionist. Hooper
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Post by UpInClass on Feb 28, 2022 21:37:08 GMT -5
Absolutely loving this... thank you. You wonderful, wonderful people!
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Post by tenfurlongs on Mar 1, 2022 7:32:48 GMT -5
I'm Tom from Albany, NY, half-an-hour south of Saratoga. Followed harness racing initially, looking at entries in the newspaper then listening to the race calls on 'radio' in the evening. First time to Saratoga Race Course was in 1983, and I have followed thoroughbred racing ever since. I'm an NHC Tour member, though I don't play very often. Have had occasional successes at Horse Tourneys, I believe I won $600+ once. Twice runner-up in the UIC Saratoga Cup Classic, still trying to make the grade there.
I'm also enjoying reading everyone's backstory, puts some meat on the bones. Thanks!
TW
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Post by ibetponies on Mar 1, 2022 18:30:25 GMT -5
My given name is Jeff but I am also known as "Doc" to many of my friends. I have lived in Southern California my entire life. In 8th grade, 1971, I started a scrapbook of each day's races and racing results while keeping track of my imaginary "bets". After a year of looking each day at Santa Anita, Hollypark, Fairplex and Del Mar and compiling my statistics, I ended up a few imaginary dollars ahead. Surely, this was an easy way to make money.
Given this belief, I met Dell Yount in college and we have been playing the ponies ever since. Unlike Dell, my interest has waxed and waned over the years but nevertheless I look forward to playing the contest.
Oh, and one last thing I have learned in these many years...it is not an easy way to make money.
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eye123
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 2,719
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Post by eye123 on Mar 1, 2022 20:21:24 GMT -5
Ok..Dell,Jeff....going to pick your brains. You guys remember a little Italian restaurant on Harbor just north of the corner of Commonwealth. (not far from the train station. Was a lower level off the street. Forgot the name (going back to the late seventies) Incredible food....best Italian for miles around.
PS..Hooper, I was at Hollywood Park the day Precisionist broke his maiden. (if memory serves me, McCarron up,Fenstermaker trainer, and Mr Hooper was in the winners circle for that win)
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1hooper
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 6,747
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Post by 1hooper on Mar 1, 2022 21:11:45 GMT -5
Pretty good memory eye. Precisionist was ridden by Terry Lipham in his first two starts. Mostly McCarron,37 mounts in 46 starts. Sprinkle in some Shoemaker, Velasquez, Stevens and Perret.
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Post by ashrafon on Mar 2, 2022 0:54:08 GMT -5
Hi, my name is Ashraf, my friends call me Asher, I love horse racing and handicapping... don't have a resume on winning contest and such, but I'm happy to be the longest shot here, and have fun! Live in Boston MA, single of course! Lol
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onion
UpInClass Member
Posts: 132
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Post by onion on Mar 2, 2022 8:42:31 GMT -5
Hello! My name is Kenney and I live in Northern Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati. I'm a high school English teacher. Grommet (Eric) is a buddy of mine and he introduced me to the Up In Class community a few years ago. I'm 49 now, but my love for horse racing started in 1999 when my 80-year-old barber gave me a few numbers to play for the Kentucky Derby. Turns out one of those numbers was Charismatic and like a novice bettor I put $15 to place and show on him (random!). If I had boxed my barber's numbers I would have had the exacta and trifecta! Nonetheless, I was hooked. As I learned to read the Daily Racing Form, my barber gave out other remarkable picks, including the 2002 Breeders Cup Classic with Volponi in the mix. By then I was smart enough to box the four numbers he gave me as a dollar trifecta box in those days. Returned $4200, but if I had done a superfecta box for the same $24, it would have returned $28,000! Oops.
I play in the UIC Saratoga contest every year and I have been playing a local contest (which everyone is welcome to join, if not this year because it's already started, then next year: triplecrownroyal.com is the website and we start the first weekend in February). I've only cashed for minor awards in contest play, but I've had pretty good success on pick 5s. Hit for $22,000 the day after Christmas in 2020 and then another one at Saratoga in 2021 for $10,000. My tickets usually go something like this: All, All, 8, 3/4, 7 and cost around $80. Purists don't like hitting the ALL button, but as we all know, often it's the only way to connect on horizontal plays.
Great idea to have people post a bio so we can get to know everyone by more than a username! Thanks for sponsoring these UIC events! I'm in for the 18 hole contest.
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onion
UpInClass Member
Posts: 132
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Post by onion on Mar 2, 2022 9:13:08 GMT -5
Didn't mean to flex by sharing those betting successes, but I think we all enjoy hearing about big scores. It's why we love the game. We degenerates need to boost each other up when we do well. Failed to mention that 22k winner was at Santa Anita, which I'm sure y'all knew because it's their opening day every year...
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Post by damascus on Mar 2, 2022 13:03:52 GMT -5
Damascus aka Mike Kruppe. Now live in Illinois after years basking in the So Cal sun. Have never actually played in a "tourney" that is outside of Upinclass. Best 'capping experience was hitting the super in the 2018 Derby. Been a lifer here with the gang!
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Post by Real Quiet on Mar 2, 2022 13:09:14 GMT -5
Another Pete from New Jersey. Started my obsession in the late 60's with a bus ride to the old Garden State Park. Not a tournament player but compete in a number of contests online. I guess my first "win" was on a horse called Real Quiet. My best memories are of the old 3 day Penn National World Series of Handicapping back in the days before Racino's. Meadowlands, Monmouth and Philly Park were my home away from home. Only problem with a golf format is that I can only hit ground balls.
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deniro
UpInClass Member
Posts: 138
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Post by deniro on Mar 2, 2022 14:15:44 GMT -5
Hello, my name is Jerry Hauck. For the last 38 years, along with my fantastic thespian friend Dell, I’ve been an actor living in LA. During that time, I’ve enthusiastically played in thousands of online handicapping contests and tournaments. Considering that racing and acting are both brutally difficult fields, I’ve probably had more than my share of good fortune. Speaking of which, GOOD LUCK to everyone and THANKS! 👍🍀💗😊
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Post by nijinsky on Mar 2, 2022 20:13:29 GMT -5
Paul here from Lake Tahoe. Known on a number of handicapping sites as "horses4courses" or "nijinsky". Those handicapping sites, I might add, are on both sides of the Atlantic. I've had a passion for horse racing from 10 years old - back in 1968. Grew up in Ireland from age 10-28 - that's where I grew to love the game. Back in the US from 1987, it took a while to adapt to dirt racing, but it's been a labor of love - and it's been nothing but fun ever since. The occasion decent score - nothing huge - but I can pick winners with the best of them.
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Post by kinley2017 on Mar 2, 2022 20:40:03 GMT -5
I am Kinley,I very rarely play contest as time is my problem with a 2 and 5 year old, been playing the ponies since I was 16 and I am now 60 live in Canada, my biggest hit was when supers started I hit a $5 super over 5,000 for a $1 at Santa Anita at my teletheater, with triactors and exactors I picked up just over 30 grand, love hockey and am a huge Winnipeg Jet fan,and currently work for thefederal penitentiary system
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Post by bitowisdom on Mar 2, 2022 22:33:08 GMT -5
Hi everyone. My handle is Bitowisdom. My actual name is Merril Irey. I imagine many of you know of me by now. I live here in Simpsonville SC with my wife, Nancy. We just recently celebrated our 50th Anniversary. We moved here from Las Vegas, where we spent 10 yrs after a move from Albany in Upstate New York (sorry, 42 yrs in NY is enough for any soul, not that NY Adirondack area and Saratoga do not qualify as one of the most beautiful places on earth). I have been playing horses for over 50 yrs, and Moons ago, for some reason the year before leaving NY, I hit 6 Pick 6 wagers. The largest being around $15,000. In total, I cashed for over 40 Thousand that year. I like to think of it as a gift from The Lord for all the losses in previous yrs...LOL. While in Las Vegas I played weekly, and sometimes daily tournaments at our near by Sunset Station Casino and Sports Book. I won many of them and enjoyed it immensely. I tell the story of how we moved from Sin City to the Bible Belt. Mentioned that once to a fellow here, and he told me, "You're not in the Bible Belt. You're in The Buckle".How Cute. I now tend to wager from May to late August. I have thoroughly enjoyed UIC. Great folks here, and the Saratoga Contest is just to Cool. I plan on winning one of these years!! Yeah, I have selected some beauties through the years. I guess my favorite wager,(back when we had less than two nickles to rub together), was Genuine Risk. What a gorgeous, massive filly. I bet $20 across the board with the bookie....before NY OTB.....Also, had no idea of where the $60 was going to come from if I lost, and back then,,,,What a thrill!! Hooked, and have been a gambling degenerate ever since...LMAO. I could list the long shots all night long. Recall one day, down to my last $50 at The Spa (where I can't even begin to tell how much of my life was spent), and the last two races where , what I saw as stone cold chalk..........bet a $50 Double----Cashed for a few hundred and enjoyed the evening at Siros. Just like an old fisherman. I have lots of stories. Nancy and I ask how we got to 68 so fast? Well, God has been wonderful, so no complaints. 3 boys, 5 grandchildren. Who on earth could ask for more than that! Thank you, UIC, for allowing me to enjoy your site.
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Post by UpInClass on Mar 3, 2022 15:39:03 GMT -5
Final Call for Players...
GOOD LUCK!
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Post by DoctorDisaster on Mar 3, 2022 17:33:24 GMT -5
Doc here,AKA Brendan.Born and still live in upstate NY.Albany as it may be.GuessI don't have enough Wisdom to leave I think it's the Spa that keeps me here.First start with the animals was working on the OTBs.Capitol OTB was building them like McDonalds.Didn't have to go far to make a bet.This was pre live race feeds.I recall the letter betting A B C instead of 1 2 3.I used to watch the races and make picks while I worked there.I didn't bet then,thought it was stupid.I kept seeing a horse named Doctor Disaster running.One day I decided to bet on him.Won at 72/1.That was that.I'm hooked. Played a few tounaments at the local OTB a little on HT but mostly here.The contests here are plenty and hard to beat anywhere.FREE MONEY given away by some of our most respected members.Where else can you find that.I try to pitch in once and a while but have to admit I take it for granted more often. Note to self and other members.You too can run a contest here. Thanks Dell
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tex
UpInClass Member
Posts: 241
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Post by tex on Mar 4, 2022 8:59:05 GMT -5
Tex - real name Steve - and live in Texas - go figure. Got started in racing by some friends taking me to Louisiana Downs for my 21st birthday. I hit an exacta that day that was about a weeks pay and I was hooked. At one point I was a serious handicapper and played quite often - basically every weekend. I could get lost in a racing form and developed an eye for identifying trainer intent which led to many a large score. I got into horse ownership for a while and raced in Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, and Minnesota. It just became too hard to make money in the business so we vacated ownership. Interest has diminished over time due to disillusionment from the various scandals and pathetic excuses offered up for the transgression. Even more disillusioning is that the crap works and nothing changes. But I digress. We still play the major race days and take an annual pilgrimage to Oaklawn Park each March. It is my favorite track and town. If you have never experienced Hot Springs and Oaklawn I highly recommend it.
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mdb231
UpInClass Member
Posts: 4
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Post by mdb231 on Mar 4, 2022 14:49:22 GMT -5
Hi All. I'm Michael Bowman live in Dartford, in the UK. Not new to the Racing game, but limited experience with the North American racing. The English racing scene is a bit different but like all the info one gets with each race.I seem to do better with your races than in the UK. Look forward to trying to get a good set of winners and putting up a good show. Good luck to all.
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Post by hrhobby on Mar 4, 2022 15:09:51 GMT -5
Hi All.
My name is Paul (AKA MRHOBBY).
I've been around horse racing since I was a kid.
My Uncle started my interest by taking me to my local Harness track (The Meadows located in Washington PA)
I reside in North Huntingdon PA and LOVE build various handicapping tools using Microsoft Excel.
At one time in my younger foolish years, I was convinced I would be able to create a handicapping method using Access & Excel to "beat the system" and produce regular winners.
Well as most of you probably know, YOU CAN'T BEAT THE SYSTEM and trying to pick winners some days is like throwing darts at the dart board. LOL
Well I'm planning on playing and want to wish you all GOOD LUCK.
Regards, MRHOBBY
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