Guest Interview: March 10th, 2005
Volume #2/Issue #10
Well-traveled…a career in horse racing
means that one usually doesn’t stay in
one place very often. The circuit: Wyoming, Montana, Arizona,
Kentucky…it never ends. Our guest this week has been all over
the country in more places and has had more jobs then a Yankee
coach. However, he might have been in a lot of places, but one
thing is constant: His love of the game! Greg “Boomer” Wry is
the track announcer at Yavapai Downs and a professional handicapper.
And, a fan of a horse racing! Let it ride Boomer!
Da' Goat: Where are you from?
Greg “Boomer” Wry: Kansas City, Kansas.
DG: Where do you live?
GBW: Cape Coral, Fl 8 months a year, Prescott Valley, AZ during the summer
months.
DG: How did you first become involved in Horse Racing?
GBW: Fell in love with it at the old Ak-Sar-Ben Racetrack in Omaha, Nebraska in 1973 while in high school.
DG: What jobs have you held in the industry?
GBW: You name ‘em, I’ve done ‘em! Just about everything except jockey-Track announcer, Media/publicity director, director of marketing, racing secretary, director of racing, jockey agent, assistant general manager, morning line maker, entry clerk, tip sheet handicapper, newspaper columnist for upcoming events, author, seminar handicapper, alternate steward, clerk of scales.
DG: Favorite?
GBW: By FAR track announcer. Have been a track announcer for over 25 years.
DG: Worst?
GBW: Every job was a learning experience, so I would say none.
DG: What do you do now?
GBW: Track announcer/director of media relations, tip sheet handicapper, author, horse racing seminar coordinator via live and video tape.
DG: What tracks have you been a track announcer at?
GBW: Yavapai Downs at Prescott Valley, Az (current since its inception in 2001) Retama Park in San Antonio, TX, Agriculture Park in Columbus, NE, Downs at Albuquerque and New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque, NM, San Juan Downs and SunRay Park, Farmington, NM, Pikes Peak Meadows, Colorado Springs, CO, Fair Meadows, Tulsa, Ok, Montana State Fair, Great Falls, Mt, County Fair Meet@ Shelby, Mt, Players Bluegrass Downs, Paducah, KY, Wyoming Downs, Evanston, WY,G Rollie White Park, Brady, TX and numerous county fairs in Arizona, Montana, and Idaho.
DG: Describe your style…who were/are some of the people that influenced you?
GBW: Since Terry Wallace (who is still at Oaklawn Park today) was the announcer at the old Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha when I first started going to the races, I’m sure he had the MOST influence on my desire to be a track announcer. He is still a great ambassador for horse racing to this day. Tom Harris got me started in the business, he encouraged me and we basically went up through the ranks together. Randy Summers was extremely encouraging to me in the early days too, when I was still wet behind the ears!
DG: How many years have you been handicapping? How many years have you been providing your picks to the public?
GBW: I have been handicapping full time for about 24 years. I have been a tip sheet handicapper off and on over those years, but first started giving out selections to the public via National Raceline with “Boomer” at Arlington Park, Chicago back in the early 80’s.
DG: How about phone number to your handicapping service?
GBW: The website is www.boomerhandicapsraces.com The phone number is toll free 866-9-BOOMR-9 or 866-926-6679.
DG: You also have written a book about handicapping: What is the name of it?
GBW: The name of the book is titled “How to Turn any Racetrack into Your Own Money Machine (and be just one of the 2% that do). I am working on a 2nd book specifically on wagering to be released around the middle of May 2006.
DG: Is there a DVD?
GBW: Yes, Craig Lanham and I released a supplemental video to the book on 1/17/06. The outline for the book is on my website.
DG: What are some of the main things you cover in the book?
GBW: The book covers handicapping from A-Z, including terms, pace, and actual “break down” of 12 races. It touches on wagering as well as bankroll management.
DG: Where can one purchase your book and DVD?
GBW: You can purchase the book and video online at www.boomerhandicapsraces.com or via the toll free number 866-926-6679. It is also offered globally at many online book stores throughout the world.
DG: Let’s talk handicapping: What are some of the basic things you would suggest to a beginner?
GBW: Read my book, then watch the video-its ALL there for beginners, intermediates and pros alike.
DG: Betting Strategies: How about betting strategies?
GBW: Which do you suggest for the beginner and what are some of your favorites? Obviously the most important betting strategy is to establish a bankroll and NEVER wager more than 5% of that bankroll on any one race with NO EXCEPTIONS! I touch on wagering strategies in “Money Machine” and keep in mind I will be releasing an ENTIRE book on wagering strategies within the next 90 days!
DG: We noticed you had some kind of “Bash” in Nevada last year…what kind of Bash was it? Where was it at?
GBW: The event was called the 1st Annual Boomer Bash and was a combination of Breeder’s Cup Seminar (that I hosted with co-author Craig Lanham and Delta Downs Track Announcer and handicapper Don Stevens), book signing and gala weekend Party to celebrate the Breeder’s Cup. We plan on holding it every year, as it was a HUGE success! The inaugural event was held at The Golden Nugget Laughlin, Nevada which has since been sold to The Landry’s restaurant chain, so negotiations for Boomer Bash II are ongoing and the event will take place in either Laughlin or Las Vegas, Nevada in 2006 if we can come up with another great venue for our Boomer Bash attendees, which we’re confident will happen. You can see pictures of the “Bash” on our website. By the way, the picture you see of me with 2 of my pals Ed Briggs and Ed Robinson shows a winning mutuel ticket in hand that was a $29, 000 exacta score!!
DG: Are there any upcoming events that we can see you at like handicapping seminars or book signings?
GBW: Yes, I have plans to be at Hawthorne Race Course in Chicago, Ill sometime in April 2006, the dates will be posted on my website when they become available, I will be at Delta Downs in Vinton, LA 4/14 and 4/15/06. I will also be appearing at one or more of the Northern California Fairs for CARF (California Association of Racing Fairs) this summer as well as a possible trip to Toronto, Canada in May 2006. In addition, the book will be available for sale and signing at my home track of Yavapai Downs in Prescott Valley, AZ throughout the summer months from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend (May-Sep 2006). Additional book signings are being discussed for scheduling throughout the year as well as for The Boomer Bash II, tentatively set for the 1st weekend of November 2006 (Breeder’s Cup Weekend).
DG: Are there any other services you provide via your website?
GBW: In addition to the book and video, I offer my private daily pick 4 spread tickets for a nominal fee, and for the player that wants to achieve the professional level and truly become one of the 2% that ACTUALLY BEAT HORSE RACING, I offer a 7 hour one-on-one intense seminar with lifetime consultation. I am also entertaining several offers to host group seminars at tracks or hotels for larger groups throughout North America, and folks can call my toll free number for more info or to set one up in their town. We will also be adding a large number of tracks in the near future for daily downloads of top speed figures.
DG: From a professional handicapper/punter’s view: What are some of the problems facing horse racing around the country?
GBW: The number one problem is the joke of drug testing. If we are ever going to be taken seriously, we need an immediate UNIFIED drug enforcement rule. Many states are trying, but national organizations such as The NTRA must step in and get this done!
DG: What are some solutions?
GBW: Everyone needs to understand that we MUST fix the problem above, and to do so will require the cooperation of everyone involved to fix it, from the horsemen, stewards, racing commissions and all the way to the regulatory agencies. Without integrity, there is NO GAME!
DG: Are they any problems that are just regional like restricted to the West Coast or East Coast, or are all of these universal?
GBW: The West Coast has really struggled with short fields, ESPECIALLY at Bay Meadows, which had 4, count ‘em 4! 4 horse fields when I was playing in a handicapping tournament in Las Vegas in January. Better regulate racing dates, throw out the guys that aren’t entering and FIX this Problem! Short fields will also kill horse racing. Many racing secretaries need to be held accountable for this problem also! The drug testing situation is nationwide.
DG: Favorite music?
GBW: The 4 Lads-I’m about to wear out the CD in my Car!
DG: Blondes, brunettes, or redheads?
GBW: Since I’m married to a blond, I better say Blonde, if I know what’s good for me!
DG: Favorite horse ever?
GBW: I know many people that would expect me to say Secretariat. And he was certainly a great horse, but I’m going with Seattle Slew!
DG: Best race you’ve ever seen?
GBW: Without hesitation, the inaugural 1984 Breeder’s Cup Classic with Wild Again, Slew of Gold and Gate Dancer. I was at Hollywood Park that day and the roar of the crowd in the stretch is something I’ll never forget, as well as 3 GREAT horses.
DG: Describe a perfect day at the races?
GBW: Everyday.
DG: Who is going to win the Kentucky Derby?
GBW: Although I still need to watch several prep races like everybody else, I don’t think it’s going to be as “wide open” a race as it has been in the last several years. I was saddened to see that Stevie Wonder Boy is out of the race, and certainly Brother Derek has done nothing wrong to this point!
DG: Thanks Boomer! Good luck!
lovedagoat.com
