HP,

As usual, I will go point by point.

First off, I find it amusing that you attack me for 'hiding' behind the folks over there when a) I post with my real name and attach my real email address to my posts whereas, who the hell is 'HP'? b) I have come over here and taken my shots on a 'free speech' board from time to time, again using my real name and inviting anyone to respond and engage in a dialogue. What's your problem with that?

Second, as usual from the TG gang, instead of choosing to engage me on the facts or on handicapping theory, you just fire a bunch of personal attacks. See below for why the Rag. board deletes most of you and your cohorts' posts.

1) 'You clearly approve of this [editorial policy on the Rag board] since I have not seen any post from you criticizing the editorial policy over there'.

Right and wrong. I generally favor an open policy. However, what I have witnessed time and time again on the Rag. board from TG supporters are unsigned conclusory churlish rants and personal attacks, so I can't say that I'm all that surprised at their policy. Additionally, the Rag./TG debate is sort of like Evolution vs. Creationism. Either you believe one or the other and Creationists tend not to be persuaded by facts so what's the point of debating the point further?

2) 'You, Dave . . . are beneath contempt, since you do this kind of thing knowing your Big Brothers will delete any unflattering responses'.

HP, this is just a dumb statement on your part since I posted my response to Jerry on this board, not the other one.

3) 'If you want to pat yourself on the back as some kind of expert, be my guest. Your castle is made of sand.'

To be honest, HP, ever since my son was born last May, I have made it out to the track only about 8 times. My handicapping has not been all that good and I'm sure there are tons of people kicking my butt. Still, I enjoy the challenge and when I do go to bet I want to use numbers where at least I know the general mathematical basis for them as opposed to one man's personal beliefs (e.g., that handicap horses can't bounce 6 points and that a turf course can dry out enough to be 6 points faster in 2 hours on a cool and cloudy day, or that horses need to run nice clean patterns).

4) I have no problem with a friendly contest, but why win bets only? Don't you like to play exotics?

Why not a side bet on War Emblem? Seems to me that Rag. and TG patterns point to clearly different outcomes.

That said, I'd be happy to do a 'gentlemen's handicapping contest', but I'm sure that if I beat you that you won't swear off of TG's sheets, nor would I stop using Rag. based on one day's performance. Long term ROI is the goal.