innate understanding beyond books
 

One can READ about a being an astronaut, farmer, politician or prisoner of war until the proverbial cows come home, but the innate understanding of these, and many other areas of reason only really come to fruition by having first hand experience. MANY of the things experience teaches are NEVER in a book, outlined by authors or recollections related in the 2nd person.

You cannot know surgery until you are at the table and involved with all the intricate aspects that this discipline requires. The same is true, to a lesser extent, with horse racing: there are many many aspects of it that will never get across to those "on the outside looking in," unless they are on the grounds, back in the barns or out at the farms. From hot walking to following the farrier around, from sitting with the racing secretary to being with the vet all morning, one can never appreciate the hard work and hidden aspects that go on 7 days per week to bring those 8 or 9 horses to the third race this Tuesday.

Learn lock smithing from a distance? Don't think so. Understand how to fly a plane from reading material...Good luck

Behind those fences it is another world

reductionism vs holistics
 

There is a mania, it seems, in trying to dissect functions, ideas, processes etc. down into some heiracrchial structure in assuming that the WHOLE can be understood by separately examining the parts.

A very good book throws significant doubt on this manuever called The Tao of Physics in how the WHOLE affects the parts rather than vice versa.

It is a strong principle to have at your side in understanding a race.

I would definately agree, from my days as a groom, it because very apparent to me that there was a big difference between the backstretch (horsemen) and the grandstand (handicappers). Every horse has a story and the horsemen know that story and tend to base their handicapping on that information.

Worst handicappers I ever met were those close to the horses. Trainer, jockeys, fugeddaboutit. The game is beaten everyday by folks who never got near a horse.

[QUOTE=tom;42874]Worst handicappers I ever met were those close to the horses. Trainer, jockeys,/QUOTE]
NO one said that. lessons gleaned from being on the backstretch are more than the grandstanders ever could imagine.

Yes they did...ME! :D

I've never found any disadvantage to having clean shoe syndrome ( no steppy in crappy) and do ok. Lots can be learned in the seats and at home.

I can tell you from my perspective, that working on the backside didn't help my handicapping - it did help my knowledge of horses. The problem from my perspective was there was always just too much "inside information" swirling about. And when it comes from Jockey's / trainers, its hard not to buy into all of it. When bets involve horses under your care, it's a bit difficult to be objective, at least it was for me.

I know some guy who made a lot of money (or seemed too) using inside information from one or two trainers who I suspect were using alternate methods. Personally, I never had any luck. I'm not saying it can't be done, but you really have to fight to maintain your objectivity. I think I would do a better job of it today.

The Backstretch IS full of stories but the rational person learns to foeget most of that noise but remembers the horses.

"Worst handicappers I ever met were those close to the horses. Trainer, jockeys, fugeddaboutit. The game is beaten everyday by folks who never got near a horse."

I have to agree with Tom. However, there is an exception to most every rule. No doubt there exist some sharp horsemen out there, albeit a minority.

Regards,

Jon

Case in point is Vancouver based Terry Jordan who's WOODBINE record is as follows Terry Jordan 79 30 15 7 $1,106,804

52/79 in the money