The DRF's "Closer Look" feature... - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com (2024)

thaskalos

Join Date: Jan 2006

Posts: 28,756

There is very little empty space left on the pages of the newly-altered printed edition of the DRF, and I've often thought that this lack of space is the reason why some very important information -- like pace ratings, or a reliable track variant -- has never become a part of this very expensive publication. So...I became mildly amused when I noticed that an extended comment line began to appear under the past performances of the horses at some of the more "renowned" racetracks. Surely, this information had to be of the highest caliber...if it was able to occupy space that could have been used to supply relevant information for which horseplayers have been waiting many years.

I don't know who Brian Mulligan is...but I do know that he supplied the handicapping comments for today's "Closer Look" section of the 3rd race at Saratoga.

Here is what Mulligan wrote:

Matuszak - No luck at this trip, but was coming away in the miler in May; show horse 5/16 won next out in an N2L allowance at Finger Lakes with a 61 Beyer; place horse 5/16 took a $16K N2L , then was placed 2nd in a $35K N3L fray on 6/25; connections thought enough of this runner last year to try Tonalist; barn rolling, look out.

Roman Fire - The 13-month layoff is a valid concern; he's been handled by the rail in the past but there is not a ton of speed here and would expect rider to be very aggressive and send hard; last angle to think about; this rider is 32% for Dutrow.

Spider Roll - First time for sale in last and gelding took advantage in professional manner and note place horse was over 5 clear; place horse 5/25 took a state-bred N1X, then ran out of the money; runner handles any kind of going; repeat well within the scope.

I'll Be Fine - Nice try two back, but he was crushed at this level in the May finale; runner has decent turn of late foot when in the mood and note this rider was up for the last victory; backers have to hope the drop today shakes him up.

Inca Saint - First time under purchase price, runner may have disliked the off going in last; 7th finisher won twice since, the last in an open $20K claimer at Pimliko; show horse in the last also won twice since, but the last was only against $5K claimer at the shore; could see him sitting a nice stalk and kick trip; don't ignore.

Marine One - You have to put them where they belong in this game, hence the drop; bothered early two back, don't be too harsh about last as he has not been able to handle grass; don't be shocked if he turns it around in a big way today.

Steve - Bobbled in last, but still kept to the task and he was 4 clear in the process; show horse in last won next out at this very level and then was crushed in an open company $25K claimer here last Sunday; Cruz got a chance to figure him out; should be right there when the smoke clears.

Life's a Roar - Gelding reveled in the mud last time and note show horse was 5 clear; with 5 times as many slices as wins, it's hard to throw it on top only today; tactical speed will give him first run on the deep closers; must be left in the mix.

Now...I know that Mulligan's audience here is mainly the relatively uninformed players, because most of what he reveals is readily apparent to anyone with any zeal for the handicapping process...but, what is he really telling his audience here? With the possible exception of the here...can we say that Mulligan is pointing to any horses that he considers unlikely to win this race? Even the , who has "five times as many slices as wins", is not considered a horse to keep off the top spot by Mulligan. Note that he advises his audience that "it's hard to throw it on top only today.

Is this the type of information that should find itself on the pages of a $9 publication...while other much more useful information -- like pace figures and reliable track variants -- is withheld from customers who have been waiting for such things for many years?

Last edited by thaskalos; 08-07-2015 at 03:16 PM.

EMD4ME

Join Date: Sep 2013

Posts: 9,854

It's pathetic, that's what it is. A DRF costs $9 bucks these days? WOW.

I haven't bought one in 6 or 7 years. That's sickening. All for what? Bland PP's?

Makes you feel like they work for the track or TVG..... Touting every horse except for 1 LOL.

And someone pays this guy a salary for opinions of that nature? Where do I send my resume to do nothing?

johnhannibalsmith

Join Date: Jul 2009

Posts: 12,402

__________________
"You make me feel like I am fun again."

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TonyK@HSH

Join Date: Apr 2001

Posts: 502

The Formulator allows you to integrate the Moss pace figures into your DRF.

Lemon Drop Husker

Join Date: May 2014

Location: Lincoln, NE

Posts: 11,474

So according to this brilliant write up, I should be boxing the entire field?

Why would they want opinions to be involved in the racing form? Is this crack inside info why one is paying more for a Daily Racing Form these days?

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

EMD4ME

Join Date: Sep 2013

Posts: 9,854

Stillriledup

Join Date: Oct 2009

Posts: 25,607

Brad free needs a salary somehow, right?

NorCalGreg

Join Date: Dec 2014

Location: Oakland, Ca

Posts: 7,953

Here's one that was a guaranteed winner "works whisper ready"

cnollfan

Join Date: Jun 2005

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Posts: 1,366

As the face of the industry, I don't wish ill on DRF. I hope they are successful.
But I no longer find their product competitively priced, nor does it provide handicapping information that I consider crucial. I would like to read the articles, but it's a hassle to figure out which are accessible and which are "DRF Plus." So I pretty much stick to TimeformUS and Brisnet in tandem for handicapping, and Blood-Horse for reading.

I used to have stacks and stacks of old Racing Forms in my home.

EMD4ME

Join Date: Sep 2013

Posts: 9,854

Ouch !!!

Stillriledup

Join Date: Oct 2009

Posts: 25,607

Dave Litfin also chuckled.

whodoyoulike

Join Date: Aug 2005

Posts: 3,428

Just an update because I like closure on things.

marine one (12.10)
roman fire (4.30)
matuszak (2.00)*
steve (4.30)

7 runners.

$2 exacta $211.00 ; $2 tri $768.00; super $2,464.00

time: 111.47 for 9f (D).

* betting favorite

Last edited by whodoyoulike; 08-07-2015 at 05:44 PM.

EMD4ME

Join Date: Sep 2013

Posts: 9,854

I like Dave SRU...... be nice....

salty

Join Date: Dec 2008

Posts: 654

Well as much as it seemed unimportant. The thought was correct that anyone could have won the race. Since the 4 was the least flattering possible winner we can leave him out then right. So the 6x6 $1 exacta ($30) paid $105.50. The 6x6x6 $1 tri ($120) paid $384. Finally the 6x6x6x6 $1 super ($360) came up paying $1,232.

i actually find bombs from time to time by reading the closer look. Last meet at Saratoga I picked wallyanna to beat bobbys kitten because of the comment that read something like, "trainer is 28% down in Florida surely he wouldn't send a horse all the way up here if it didn't stand a chance." Made me look at wallyanna a little closer I think the payoff was around 25-1

I haven't bought a drf for awhile now though.

Aerocraft67

Join Date: Aug 2009

Location: Maryland

Posts: 758

Taking the apologist side of this, Closer Look is basically the "executive summary" of the PPs. Summarizing the PP data is not a heinous crime, although relying on it for wagers won't make you a winning player.

The funny thing about Closer Look is that it applies a somewhat traditional, unbiased reporting approach to covering the race, which is anathema to the whole point of handicapping a race—taking a stand. That said, CL reporters take varying degrees of stand on the runners, some even using language so randy as "respect" and "toss," while others just summarize the PPs with no guidance to speak of. The example subject of this thread is particularly egregious in that regard.

There's a difference between reading about a race and poring over the PPs. Closer Look provides a qualitative narrative on the race that's more steeped in handicapping than general news coverage of the big races and connections. In that sense, Closer Look is coverage of the handicapping instead of the sport of racing, sort of like the two primary forums on PA, "General Handicapping Discussion" and "General Racing Discussion." Sure, Closer Look could be sharper, but have you tried to make a living writing at the entry level lately?

That said, I wonder about the audience and efficacy of Closer Look. How many people want to read about handicapping than just do it? I have a pretty good appetite for racing analysis myself, but Closer Look is lacking compared to top-tier racing analysis (Beer, Serling, Watchmaker, etc.). I guess you have to start somewhere, and you need minor leagues, but it's a tight squeeze between the PPs themselves and expert analysis for Closer Look to fill in any value.

Not likely the writer uncovers an obvious angle you overlooked, but if you just want to read about the entrants without poring over the PPs, Closer Look affords you that opportunity. Put another way, Closer Look is unlikely to change the fortunes of the serious player, but it's a pretty reasonable "warm up" or "reality check" on a race you're handicapping or considering handicapping.