Horse Racing Fantasy Community

Everybody loves to win. I don't just mean making winning bets at Aqueduct or having the winning pick at Santa Anita. I mean being on top of our leader board or taking the top prize down in one of our virtual racing tournaments. Let's face it, the reason why we all play games is to test our skill, see how we do when competing against others. I don't care if the game is Madden Football or MLB or any other game. Well, to gain the winning edge, I suggest all of our members and those contemplating becoming a member pay close attention to the upcoming television series produced by the Discovery Channel that will run on Animal Planet starting early-February called "Jockeys". Jockeys is a documentary with a little touch of reality TV that takes you inside the lives of some of the best jockeys currently racing. Yes, I'm excited to see how the relationship between Chantal Sutherland and Zenyatta's jockey, Mike Smith, works out, but I'm more excited to pick up little hints or tips on wat they do to prepare for a race or what they actually do during the race that makes them better riders and just outright win more frequently.

I have a blast playing all different types of games, but I'm really pumped up to follow some of the best athletes involved in the sport I love so dearly. The game of racing is so competitive. Owners battling against owners, whether it's at the auction ring or in the paddock before a race. Trainers competing against other trainers. But, to me, the best competition is horse and jockey against the other horses and jockeys. The first aspect is the unity, the bond between these tremendous athletes. You can almost see that bond develop in the moment the jockey gets his feet in the stirrups, through the warm-up all the way to the start of the race and as the race unwinds. That bond is all about trust and confidence. Both the horse and jockey must get comfortable for both of these athletes to perform their best.

So, where am I going with this? Even when I'm playing horse games on my computer, the key is to understand that digital horse, to quickly adapt to how he should be ridden and quickly adjust, without over-adjusting, if I need to do so. Maybe my strategy, right from the time the bell rings, is to shoot for the lead, but because of pressure from other horses or maybe a slow break or start, that strategy has to be thrown out the window and a new one implemented, and quickly. Racing moves at a much faster pace than a baseball game or any other sport. The true success, at least for a jockey, is the ability to adapt.

I'll be watching Jockeys, the TV series, very closely. Yes, I'll be looking out for our jockeys wearing our logo clothing, and yes I want to learn more about them personally. But, I'll be paying close attention, very close attention, to their pre-race strategies and their adaptations when things have to change and change suddenly. I truly believe I can pick up some techniques and ideas that will make me a better player in our game and take me to the winner's circle more often.

Okay, racing fans, get out your DVRs or your DVD recorders and tape every episode of Jockeys, the Animal Planet's new television series starring our own jockeys Joe Talamo, gorgeous Chantal Sutherland (the lady in pink), smooth and calm Aaron Gryder, Kentucky Derby winner Mike Smith (who is also the rider of Zenyatta), hardworking and honest John Court and several other jockeys that will be featured from time to time. Oh, one last thing - our president probably will appear in one of the segments. Mike was out in California at the Breeders' Cup when he ran into the Talamo family. From what I understand, what occurred was pretty interesting. You'll have to watch Jockeys television series to find out what happened.

- FantasyHandicapper