jerry says,

"So you figure I should post picks for free, while also charging for them, so that I can have a contest which if I win does nothing for me (after all, if I win all I did was beat David Patent), and if I lose he's beating Jerry Brown. Anticipating your next wisecrack--when I challenged Friedman there was an awful lot of potential customers on both sides at stake, and I was well known. Winning that one would have been big publicity for either of us. And if he wants to do it for Belmont day, I'll give up charging for the analysis for the day."


first, let me address HP's semantic nitpicking.
a gentlemen's bet is simply a contest between 2 (normally) w/o any real prize.
I use 'contest' because this now has at least 3 entrants, after I've invited myself in.
what difference this makes, I have no idea.

now, how friedman got dragged into this, I also have no idea --- we all know he'd have no interest.
I only invited jerry because:
a) he's the host here, and being a gracious host, I thought maybe he'd take part in the entertainment.
b) I'm no pro --- in fact, I'm pretty much a hack, and I didn't want to finish last.

I figured he'd duck, and I see he's as good at anticipating as I am --- although The Sheets seem to have done ok w/o the great publicity of beating him in a handicapping contest.

I just wish you'd be honest instead of conjuring up some excuse.
you just offered to give away product to some taste tester for the entire saratoga meet, but you're worried about losing sales to tabitha and alydar if you post plays here for one card?
HP's already said he's got no use for your picks --- don't people buy your numbers, or do you just sell a tout sheet?

look, this isn't just any day --- it's a big day of racing, and I thought these bs message board contests were for fun --- don't you like having fun?
actually, the only reason I even went to the great trouble of registering here was to enter this contest.

you post and post endlessly on The Sheets board, hoping to lure customers over here, but what happens then?
here I am, lured over, but you're so worried about the 6 posters here getting free product for a card that you refuse to sell me.

dude, if you don't want to enter, don't enter --- it was invitation, not coercion.
I can't imagine why anybody would give a goddamn about my plays, but they'll be posted up for the record.


by the way....

"...(after all, if I win all I did was beat David Patent), and if I lose he's beating Jerry Brown...."

I've seen your picks --- I can't imagine who would consider that an accomplishment.
(maybe crist....?)