SilverCharm

Putting a CEO, Publisher, and Editor's e-mail address on this site and asking for bloggers to e-mail these men to reverse their decision is not the most tactful way of going about things. In case you haven't noticed, the economy is shit right now and a recession is upon us. If it wasn't Lauren Stich it would have been someone else. She has a detailed enough resume and network of friends in this industry to find another job.

Is DTS Dan not the world's biggest ASSHOLE? Here's a little heads-up, shit-for-brains: all those "someone elses" do exactly the same thing. Lauren Stitch is a subject matter expert; her subject matter is breeding; and until her firing, she was the only person at "America's Turf Authority" providing that critical info to subscribers. F***in' nitwit. Charm ... done! And thanks. I wasn't aware.

Thanks, Rave. She brings something to the publication that no one else can or will. It is a very bad decision.

Expert in what subject matter? Back in 80’s to mid 90’s her job was one that handicappers relied on, including myself because no one had access to the information she had. For handicappers, pedigree questions only come in to play three days a year and that’s for the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. These days you can get the information anywhere, plus Tomlinson has his rating so from a business standpoint it was a no brainer. Could the timing have been better, of course it could have. Rave you said on your post April 21st post: I know this much: when the day comes that I have to rely on Andy Beyer, Len Ragozin, or any swinging dick to tell me on whom to bet my money, that's the day I find a new avocation. In fact, the Grim Reaper will find me long before that day ever comes. Please tell me the difference between Stich and Andy Beyer… Tomlinson gives a rating for every race year round so please enlighten me on why you need Lauren Stich? I have no vendetta against Lauren Stich nor do I think she should have ever lost her job but I am sure the people at the Racing Form thought long and hard of there decision and did what was best for the paper.

"For handicappers, pedigree questions only come in to play three days a year and that’s for the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont."
For you, maybe. I rely on it constantly, and while you're right, I can find it elsewhere ... like in the Stallion Directory that sits next to my computer ... that's stuff I'm looking for. Her ballywick was providing insight. In other words, she was one of the few people at that entire publication from whom I could learn something that 1) I didn't already know; and 2) Could absorb and apply. Fuck Beyer. His numbers are worthless. Tomlinson's often are outdated, and at that only account for sire and dams most of us already know like the back of our hands anyway. And NONE of that is what pisses me off about this decision. The c**k s**ker already has cut live coverage from 7 days to 5 ala USA Today, yet the price remains at a level that kids today can't possibly afford and still play regularly, and they're the lifeblood of the sport. Now, he's cutting back on staff, to boot!!!! He'd be far better served getting rid of Beyer's $1.5M a year price tag; going back to the old speed ratings; resuming 7 day coverage; and putting another $500K in his insatiable, megalamaniac pocket.