Nuggets

don_reed says:

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the above reference to NJ Account Wagering, it is the ineptly run jobs program that substantively contributed to the NJ Sports & Exposition's losing millions of dollars sponsoring the Breeder's Cup last fall.

Towards the end of March 2008, they unveiled their new web site design.

It was an instant fiasco, and was yanked off the air about four days after its debut.

They re-instated the previous system (introduced in November 2007, replacing the site that had calamitously failed on BC Day 2).

Things proceeded somewhat smoothly for about a week, until...

Incredibly, having learned nothing, they've-instated Site #3 about five days or so ago.

The merry go-round of system crashes, etc. resumed.

Today (04/12/08), they claim that the NJAW system was knocked out - on of all days, with the Blue Grass and the AR Derby being run - by their getting hit by a lightning bolt.

This might well have happened. Some very big thunder/lightning storms did roll through our area @ midnight-1 a.m., Saturday morning

The problem is, they don't have any credibility left, and so the possibility that the site was pulverized by their own incompetence cannot be dismissed.

And how bad could the lightning strike have been, that nine hours later, they couldn't get their system up and running again in time for a big race day? Isn't this why we invented back-up electrical generators? Is NJAW really a front for a renegade arm of FEMA?

I'd call them and find out - only, after the BC, they further poisoned their client relations by instating a rule that if you were having technical questions or had a finance discrepancy, all communications henceforth had to be put into writing and sent via email.

Thus, problems that telephonically had the potential of being resolved in a few short minutes now took much longer to resolve, with an elongated, time-wasting process involving written inquires.

One example - out of dozens - of how badly they have run their operation can be provided:

I was having problems with their illegible type size throughout 2007 and 2008. Numerous - and I mean numerous - inquires about this was forwarded to them.

SIX MONTHS LATER (from November 2007 on out), it finally dawned on them that they should let me in on the big secret - that while holding down the control key, I could then increase the type size by twirling the mouse wheel with my right index finger.

Regards,

The Mouse Twirler

Posted by Don Reed Apr 12, 2008 7:24:49 PM

don_reed says:

Steve - Thanks for printing my letter above, despite its length.

Dan, I'd love nothing better than to take a photo of the $15 Denis of Cork future bet and then being able to cash it.

But it does look grim for DOC's chances to get into the Derby - both on earnings (making the cut) and, of course, Bill Warren has apparently decided to call it a day.

But I sure wouldn't mind - media types, TAKE NOTE, we're giving out a FREE "rebound"-angle story here - cashing my other $15 win ticket, which will happen if David Carroll's other Derby hopeful, Blackberry Road, hits the wire first.

Oddly, the Pool One odds on Denis (46-1) and BB Road (47-1) at the close of the wagering were virtually the same.

Seems like an awfully complicated way to earn an extra fifteen bucks.

Be well,

Don

Posted by Don Reed Apr 11, 2008 9:22:51 PM

don_reed says:

By now, all should have heard about Mr. Bill Warren's letter of apology to the backers of Denis of Cork, who went nowhere in the Illinois Derby.

Paul Moran has made a copy of the letter available on his site.

Racing radio commentator Steve Byk responded by scolding Paul for having printed the letter, because it is Byk's understanding that the letter was, originally, solely intended to be a private communication to various personal friends.

The response to Mr. Byk, & to Mr. Warren, below, cannot, for technical reasons, be physically added to the comments listed below Mr. Moran's column.

Steve, this is a request that you approve of my using your column's comment area, so that the below can be made public. If you feel that this is out of bounds, I'll understand. Thanks - DPR.

        

Steve, the point is not that Mr. Warren intended the letter to be a private matter, or that Paul Moran should or should not have released it to the public.

Here is a good-faith explanation of what went wrong, his candid & unsparing appraisal of the mistakes that he feels he had made, & a sincere expression of regret for the sad consequences that ensued.

And the fact that the letter has been described as having been intended to be private in nature absolutely vouches for its authenticity & Mr. Warren's genuine feelings of remorse.

What more in the world could we possibly want?

This is one of the rare opportunities when we're not being inundated by the insulting explanations put forth by public relations weasels - professional liars, whether it being in racing, the media, on Wall Street, or politics - whose sordid clients don't even have the guts to face the public themselves.

And rather than to express amazement & gratitude that this can occur - that for once, we're not being subjected to falsehoods & flattery -you've chosen to express an opinion that indicates that you know the probity of everything & the value of nothing.

Mr. Warren, if you should happen to read this, please understand that there are undoubtedly thousands of racing fans, myself included, who are proud of you for having expressed such sentiments.

I bet $15 on Denis of Cork in the first Derby future pool. After the Derby's over, I'm having the ticket framed with your letter & it will serve to remind me that there are Thoroughbred owners with class.

Posted by Don Reed Apr 11, 2008 7:00:03 AM