BOARDMAN Thank you for your kind and respectful response. I respect your opinions and most of all your affection for the racehorse industry. If I may, just a few remarks.
My intentions were never to ask or hope that anyone who read my selections or comments , wager their money on them or follow any of them or be guided by anything I posted. My intentions were never to impress anyone or to exploit anyone , but strictly to share what information I could gather and use it should the reader deem it helpful to them. Thats why I never suggested any amounts I thought readers should wager. Any use of my selections or information, I feel should have been used by the individual in any, if any, way that they felt would help them. I certainly feel some probably felt that many of my selections were of no use to them, but although each selection should be judged individually, the reader may have valid and very good reasons why they disagree with my selections and information. And that is perfectly understandable.
In the event you did not read all of my posts at every track, I know I did remark that I am basically not a handicapper when it comes to thoroughbred racing. I stated that I simply rely on information from those in the industry, too many to mention here, that know their own stock better than I, and I also am a believer in "following the money." Having owned horses over the years when I was younger, I was fortunate to have met, many other owners, jockeys, trainers and grooms etc., who all bring something different to the table. So any winner I have been fortunate enough to post and possibly make money off of, was strictly based on the information and the source I got them from. Then by sharing it with the forum. The decision then becomes theirs on what to do with it. I am never in any way offended if someone uses what I post or they do not. Or f they choose to use it and are successful in making a profit with it, I am thrilled to know I helped someone in a small way. I always remind myself, no matter how accurate or successful I may or may not be with every selection, its the reader, player, or handicapper that must make their own decision. The last thing I am is a tout or someone who is attempting to be known as "the best handicapper" in the forum. As I said, I am not a handicapper of horses, but rather a gatherer of information. I know how difficult it is to pick a winner, so sharing my opinion and information, I hope would have helped someone in some way. In the end, its the reader or the player or the handicapper, who must evaluate what I gave them, and make the final decision.
Regarding the industry, I based my opinions on the economy and those who own racetracks. I based my decision to stop posting horse selections, largely on the comments I received in replies. Many of them not even related to racing. Negative or disrespectful remarks, made to me in replies, go a long way in telling me what kind of audience I have. To be frank, I prefer they say nothing, rather than be rude or disrespectful. Calling me by my wrong name on purpose, or bringing up subjects not related to my selections is not the feedback I am looking for. In closing I still believe this forum is not really receptive as a whole to a racing thread. Unfortunately as in anything like this, my stopping hurts the good and those who appreciate 8 hours a day or more of preparation. Those who cannot agree respectfully, are not helpful in encouraging me to continue. Again, thank you for your remarks and I hope you have a better understanding of my feelings and the choice I made. All the best to you.