Harness Racing Blog

“Hollywood “Bob Heyden is a superb racing analyst and is a regular on Canada’s HPI TV selecting his bet of the day. Bob also takes part in the Meadowlands TV program that airs on a regular basis where he adds his insight into the racing. In todays post we have gone back through the Harnesslink archives and found Bob Heyden’s answers from 2006. And begin:

1. If you had to rank the top three things to look at when selecting wagers when there is so much information to absorb for the betting public.

Heyden-Excuse lines, off tracks, interference, bad horses in front of him etc… Driver changes, bad posts moving in, layoffs, things like that all factor in.

2. It’s no secret over the years and as long as I can remember in horse racing that racing fans sometimes perceive it as “rigged “or “crooked”. What do you think the best things that a governing bodies have adopted to lessen this perception of racing being a fixed sport.

Heyden - 7 horses across the wire photo finishes basically put to bed the thought of bad racing. Bettors are accustomed to playing the blame game. When their horse gets a perfect trip and finished 4th beaten 5 lengths, all of a sudden it’s the trainer, the wind, this or that. He wasn’t trying is also popular. Maybe if they took a little accountability and wondered why THAT GUY was cashing and he wasn’t, it wouldn’t be so bad.

3. How important are the D-barn stats that are provided to the bettors and how much should they read into them?

Heyden - D-barn stats mean nothing to me. The biggest problem with the D-barn isn’t drugs and shady behavior going undetected, it is horses pitching a fit and not eating the day before they race, not drinking things like that as they enter a new environment.

4. I asked Greg, Ken & Mike the same question in earlier weeks, so I will get your opinion as well. Are slots the answer for future longevity of the sport?

Heyden - No-slots are not the answer-slots are an extension of the 24 hour Claritin or Advil. It helps for now, but the problem persists. The worst thing that happened to the slot world is Dover Downs. Everyone seems to think they can be Dover II, Dover III etc. That was an isolated case-now the whole world seems to think they are going to duplicate it. At some point, the buckets of quarters and people to use them do run out, or thin.

5. As a prognosticator under the watchful eye of racing fans everywhere, do you take the shots personally when it comes to you going in a slump, not that it would ever happen right?

Heyden - I am the world’s worst when slumping- and one of the best ever on a roll. I let things-little things-bother me too much. I shouldn’t but I do. The other day-Monday night at Woodbine-I had a 3-4-8-10 box in the first race. 10 wins it at $101.00 and there is a 4 minute photo for second between 7 & 8. You guessed it #7 was second. The exacta was $925 with the 7, and the 8 was 6 times highest (5-1, 29-1) in odds. I should know better. Turn the page. I’m still learning.

6. How do you get along with fellow analyst Mike Hamilton who has been one of the leading racing analysts in Canada with some of his picks of the day? Do you guys ever compare notes on how you analyze?

Heyden - Mike Hamilton-in 2006-if it is the last thing I EVER do-is to get to know him better. A quiet but VERY knowledgeable guy. Love guys who put in the time and look for things that no one else does. When I went to Canada September 16-20 I was very impressed by the operation and those in charge. Excellent group.

7. How much prep work goes in to sitting down and doing your selections for your pick segment?

Heyden - Most of the prep work for me is watching the races. I remember everything-so I just have to compartmentalize things. But you look at the match-ups, and especially HOW the horses finished the week or two before. Regardless of where they finished.

8. Is there a race that you haven’t attended live that you plan on someday making time to see?

Heyden - The Derby, The Jug, BOTH

9. Who is the greatest pacer ever? I was always partial to Cam Fella and Niatross. I know that eras come in to play, but let’s hear your choice as the best all around horse ever?

Heyden - Niatross and one you probably wouldn’t hear-Jennas Beach Boy. Niatross was ahead of his time by a generation or two. Jennas Beach Boy-upon further review, was an ultra-special horse. Consider this:

-ONLY pacer three straight Breeders Crowns -THE fastest horse of his generation at 2-3-4 -Set record for sub 1:50 wins upon retirement -BUT-the reason he has to be included. Riyadh. He bested Riyadh, who-as soon as JBB retired, not only won all the Free for Alls, but by open lengths. NO ONE dominates at the very top level by huge margins, Consistently-Except Riyadh-and as Joe Holloway said, in order to set the race record (1:47.4) you have to have TWO great horses going at it. Like they did.

10. One more best ever that you have seen and why………..this time………all time best driver that you have seen in your era?

Heyden - Greatest driver-JUST driving-Just driving the horse? Walter Case, Jr. By a mile. The single most talented man I have ever seen in any sport. NOW-for everything that goes with it, driving, analyzing the race, how you present yourself, respect you get, etc. Mike Lachance and John Campbell. Harness racing got REAL Lucky with these two. You don’t HAVE to have gentlemen at the top of your hit parade. There could be a creep or two around. But harness racing and these two guys go hand in hand, and they have served as not only the two winningest drivers of all time ($), but as two excellent ambassadors for the sport and for the people involved.