I waited 2 years to say a lot of this….
What actually happened when I was DQ’d from the NHC, my thoughts about the 2 year suspension, how I feel about the NHC, and my decision, despite my reinstatement, that I will never play in the NHC again.
Do me a favor…
Don’t listen to it and then tell me that you don’t care…
If you don’t care, don’t listen!
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Good podcast, Jonathan. I’ve got no opinion one way or the other on the DQ/suspension, etc. But I am in total agreement on the cost/benefit of NHC qualifying. I was lucky enough to qualify for the 2018 tournament. Ironically enough it was sitting in the ballroom contemplating my 128th or so finish that I started doing the math and came to the conclusion that the risk/reward was way out of whack. As excited as I was to have made it and done decently, not great, in the tournament, I realized the odds of cashing vs. the cost of qualifying really didn’t make any sense. As Chris Larmey has said many times – and I think he’s right – that is the contest and those are the rules, it’s up to each individual to decide if they want to participate.
Well done. As a first time qualifier, I appreciate the insight. Thank you.
Very interesting information and insights. (No offense, but you talk way too fast. Hard for me to keep up.)
My pet peeve is allowing people who didn’t qualify to be in the contest room. People spend a lot of money to qualify and have to share seats and betting lines with someone who didn’t qualify. Non qualifiers eating at the buffet etc. etc. This would stop a lot of issues.
Nice podcast JK. Stuff happens. You are still entitled to stay proud.
Chris Larmey doesn’t follow his own rules, nhc is corrupt from top to bottom. He’s head of the nhc players committee and has admitted to having a “handicapping contest partner” during an event when finishing 2nd. The rules are arbitrary, they selectivity enforce them. I would not advise to play these tournaments.
https://www.drf.com/news/nhc-larmey-erases-some-bad-memories
Hey,
In my opinion “BREAKING the RULES is CHEATING.” There might be different levels of cheating, BUT it’s still cheating. While your podcast/explanation was very well done, your reasoning/explanation falls way short WHEN you’re doing it after the fact of playing several times before disqualification. If your reason for quitting is as you stated (basically, the NHC tournament is a MONEY PIT.) why did it take disqualification to come to your conclusion?????? Good luck in the future.
I enjoyed the podcast and understand your feelings. I don’t know if you know me or seen my name, but I had written a lot of talking about how racing can be made better. On X (akaTwitter) there have always been suggestions about improving the sport. Rarely do you see changes that would made players more interested in playing the races. My NHC experience was somewhat uncommon. I had never played in a qualifier tournament. I won the first time I played, went to the big show and finished in the top 16%. I was a nose away from finishing around 30th. That tournament was enough for me. Free plane ride, free food, and a free room took some of the sting out missing the mark.
The thing that hit me was, Did you consider telling whoever was in charge that you had an obligation and were going to have to leave the tournament? It sounded like you weren’t worried about the money, and I can’t imagine they would deny the request. I don’t think they would suspend you for withdrawing from the tournament. Maybe it’s just a twist on the mistakes you talked about.
Horseracing is sliding downhill. It’s not like blackjack where you can do well playing by following the basic strategy developed by Thorp. It takes a long time to become and expert, learn what’s important and what isn’t. I don’t think the game can afford to lose its best players. I’m glad you are still with NYRA. I know people who have played as long as I have and have just stopped playing, It’s time the people who can make the change start listening to the people who fund the game.
Rich Halvey
Saw you on the street in Manhattan (believe 3rd Ave & 40th) Xmas weekend. Though, i wanted to strike up a brief greeting you clearly were on your way to an event, with a companion, and didn’t want to delay you from your appointment. I’m a horse racing fan for the last half century, but what most resonated with me was your comments about your son. Being on social media for these young kids is quite comp!ex. So distinguishing between breaking a rule or”cheating” its a tough road for them to navigate and is easily misleading. Be well and continued success. Sidenote lets get some Tampa Bay downs coverage! Jeff D
Tampa coverage is coming!!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I understand the disqualification yet the suspension seems inappropriate and excessive. Will continue to listen and root for your success even if I may disagree with a horse selection or an opinion. Best
JK there are a couple of things worth saying
Your an outstanding handicapper- that NHC win and tour win and subsequent contests with other huge wins are clear evidence of the skill set and a champion title you earned which resulted in the eclipse as champion handicapper being assigned to you. No one should further damage your stellar skill set by adding cruel or unjust punishment to the error you have acknowledged .same as a champion jockey creates a riding infraction or a champion trainer has a ruling they are incidental always have two or more sides to the story and while they are addressed by hearing or ruling for the purposes of adjudication it should be solely relevant to the event that was affected and left to stand. Ask anyone Would a jockey or trainer take a 2 year suspension or ban themselves from the breeders cup or future derby because of a single violation that’s crazy and unwarranted. You show not only in your podcast but your on air presence your love for this sport of horse racing. Your a champion and you should be proud and happy to be able to compete with your fellow friends and competitors in future contests. It shouldn’t be political it shouldn’t be about sending a signal of authority you have acknowledged your error paid the price of the DQ and that’s it making all of this extra effort to make it worse for anyone is unnecessary and this sport needs new people new ways new things and new innovations to build better relationships and even better contests the idea that it’s perfect and can’t be improved is not right either you bring up so much insight into things you can see making improvements on. Your in the business everyday and see it from all levels you should be able to enjoy your company and competitive opportunities without having to worry if it’s being done with the best of intentions. Clearly when champions are placed into a community of professionals and given the opportunity to be leaders of the team they should always temper justice with their wisdom. Having you to be a part of any and every competition that you elect is what racing needs. The largest event is when the skills shine through the best. I hope there is a reconciliation between all parties racing the NTRA and all horseplayers would benefit from having its champion handicapper involved in its biggest events as well as its future. In closing Most often the greatest leaders have made mistakes in the pursuit of finding a path to victory and pursuit of making lasting progress beneficial to all is a difficult one but it can be done and honestly everything in racing is better with you in it… hoping to see you winning the events and making them better soon!
Thanks for making handicapping matter!
I think your fantastic !
Years ago I went to the NHC and I have a spinal cord injury and travel was very difficult for me from Kentucky. Online would be great for people like me. I really didn’t like the cut I missed by $1.50 or so but I came in second in the losers contest. My accumulated points were higher than anyone’s when losers contest ended. I had a huge day. So the cut and travel is my biggest complaint.
Very well said! Glad you chose to fully detail the events surrounding this unfortunate experience. Your efforts are appreciated. Best regards, DS in WA State
JK – I agree with you in terms of losing my interest in the event. I just missed qualifying the one time I played in the last chance a couple years ago when the contest was still in January. The contest dates being moved to March (my busy time as a CPA) doesn’t help. I’ve thought about NTam cashing last year and whether the juice was worth the squeeze. I feel more players should be able to cash in the event to make it worth it. Unless the dates and prize distribution change, I will not be participating.
JK,
You lied and broke a rule. Shame on you for it and they/we are glad you won’t voluntarily play anymore.
I listened to hear your perspective because we don’t know each other, but what I came away with was you are still salty about it and decided to use your platform like stormy daniels did before the 2016 election. 😂
I play in the NHC and while its not perfect, we (the 800 participants ) would not travel all that way for nothing.
Good luck and keep rocking! You do a good job on the NYRA broadcast.
J.K. It is all indicative