Feeling like Trump

After a few months of experimenting, I decided to fire 4NJBets.com and see little reason to continue an account with the state-operated ADW for NJ residents, considering the lack of value-add as a contest player and the accessibility of video replays pretty much anywhere on the Web (the impetus for me subscribing).

Synonymous with "You're Fired",
the demise of the USFL, AC casinos
and a slick coiffure

There was part of me that hoped the membership, started a few months ago and opened by the account staff alacrity of a fleet snail, would produce more than a venue for betting races -- some bonus or rewards points, members-only contests, free PPs, a free pen...something extra more than a place to burn through cash.

The bottom line is that NJ-based handicapping contest players are screwed, when considering players in many others states can subscribe to a TwinSpires.com and DRFBets, both of which offer online play-in tournaments for seats in the $2 million NHC tournament in Las Vegas in early 2012.  The TwinSpires site, alone, is offering 20 seats in a November contest, which would be an enticement enough for me to defect, would NJ's archaic state law allow.  I am not really sure how to go about it, and have no time to form coalitions to pressure legislators to let horseplayers take their online dollars elsewhere, but if anyone has ideas, I'm all ears.

Speaking of contest play, I am happy to have survived the first three days of the Monmouth Park Survival at the Shore without burning a life preserver (as happened through the first weekend last season). There were 1,462 players eliminated already and only 5,024 to leapfrog on the way to the top spot for a coveted NHC seat; but, hey, 1,337th-place gives me a nice stalking trip, right?!

And, this coming Sunday, I will be "competing" in the first of two Monmouth-Woodbine handicapping challenges for a spot to Vegas.  It will be interesting to see whether Monmouth draws the 200 contests that are targeted in the brochure.  Later this week I'll post some thoughts on good horses that I'll pick (meaning those you should likely avoid).