You don't say the Y-word out loud. It's bad karma and it can easily find its way into an handicappers conscious stream of thought.
A bad beat, losing a photo, stumbling at the start, anything that stops a hot streak, and that four letter word creeps into the picture.
I have been in many hot streaks and something happens, like a bad beat for score via a nose photo, a head bob, rider falling, or misjudging the finish line and here comes the Y$#s.
Some handicappers are born with the Y#$s, doesn't matter what they do, they can't win, and maybe they are just awful and couldn't pick a winner in a walkover, or hit an EXA box in a two horse race.
WWRD 'What Would Racingwithbruno Do"? if the Y#$s reared their ugly head.
First of all, we wouldn't say the Y-word out loud, we would just deal with the card just the same way we do everyday.
Second, pay no attention to a bad beat or close photo, no matter how excruciating, and we WOULD NOT take to social media and look for a pity-party.
We know misery loves company but talking about bad beats just feeds the Y#$s. It nourishes the negative mentality and now you are looking and thinking what could go wrong, this is when the Y$#s taking over, grabbing the steering wheel and driving the bus.
You might as well lay down and be ready for the bus to roll over you a few times. You are at the mercy of the Y$#s.
So, no pity-party on a bad beat. Take it like a man, suck it up, the less you wallow in your misery the better the chance to beat the Y#$s.
The Y$#s feast on our insecurities, to beat the Y#$s you must stick to what you do best by using your confidence, but as we know some have the courage of a chihuahua without the screen door.
Most horseplayers push the envelope, they play races that they don't like just to change their luck, and the Y#$s thrives.
You can tell those handicappers by how they talk out loud, "I think, I am going to try the 3 at a price'', or ''I'll take a shot with the 4", and my favorite, [name rider] is due].
That's the Y#$s talking, yes they talk too.
We mentioned some players were born with the Y#$s, in everything they do. It's always a sad story, always something going against them. The habitual Y$#s sufferer "I never win'' is their favorite saying.
Meanwhile, their Y$#s is growing the size of King Kong with that bionic arm.
Your positive attitude and ability to maintain your composure is of utmost importance.
Ice in your veins, like those late inning closers coming in with the bases loaded and no outs, in the bottom of the 9th with a one run lead. What do you think their career would be like if they had a case of the Y#$s, or about a hockey goalie, whom just let in a soft goal, you, the player, need to have short memory.
You know what's the happiest animal on Earth?
A Goldfish. You know why?
A Goldfish has a ten second memory.
I remember all my hits, my big hits, I remember everything about them. I don't recall one bad beat, one crushing blow, not one.
If I feel like I am not seeing the ball well, I go to basics, cut down my number of plays, play to my strength.
Those are the times I feel like a cyborg, using my programming to get thru my mild case of the Y$#s, and even take a day off if i need to.
Do what makes you successful, do what you are good at. Easier said than done, but you get into that groove, you start seeing things clearly.
The Y#$s can take human form, there are walking-talking Y#$s and can even take form of alcohol. Drinking and wagering is a form of the Y$#s.
If you have to down a Jameson shot and a Coors light before the race, you are a walking-talking Y$#s, not only for you but for your handicapping friends in attendance.
The Y$#s can be contagious and there ain't no doctor that can cure your Y#$s.
The answer is really simple, don't get the Y#$s!
Oaklawn Videos
We have begun filming at Oaklawn, our newest member of Racingwithbruno, Alex Jolly and Derek Matula are handling the camera. Derek is a pro. He is teaching his padawan Alex how to handle the camera. Alex is all fired up!
He texted me on Friday "I'm Crushing it Today''. Master Derek is working his jedi ways on young Alex.
Master Sensei JG [Jason Graff] is starting this week at FG. He is as steady as they come.
Amy Kearns is doing her thing at Keeneland between the main and the 'little track' the All-weather training track.
Our man Gabe is at Turfway.
This is going to be a busy winter.