One of my motivations behind #FanFriday is highlighting fans who also happen to work in the industry. Many who work in racing get their start in families already involved in the sport, but some begin their time in horse racing on the track apron, watching and wagering like the thousands of fans that attend the races from California to New York each year. That route into the sport brings with it valuable perspectives for the future of horse racing. For Fan Friday, I wanted to showcase one of those voices, Barry Spears.
Growing up in the Northeast, Barry’s grandparents exposed him to racing early, taking him to Aqueduct or Belmont each time he came to visit. Later, his family planned trips to Saratoga for big event weekends like the Travers Stakes. This early exposure to horse racing led Barry to go into handicapping, playing tournaments and writing about wagering and other racing-related topics. He regularly appears with Charles Simon on the Going in Circles podcast and had made appearances on TVG and other podcasts during his career.
In addition to being a fan and now a professional in the sport, Barry is also an advocate for expanding the sport’s reach into the diverse groups of fans seen at the racetrack, bringing more and more minority voices into the public sphere as broadcasters and handicappers, and into the next generation, regularly enjoying bringing his daughter with him to the racetrack.
On this Fan Friday, meet the Sniper, Barry Spears!
Name: Barry Spears
Role in racing: I’m The Sniper (Jack of All Trades which includes writing, handicapping, betting, handicapping tournaments, serial podcaster, breeding, historian, AND minorities in racing advocate).
Favorite memory at a racetrack: The 2009 Woodward at Saratoga. Probably the greatest race I have seen in person. Rachel Alexandra was unforgettable that day. It was also my last visit to Saratoga unfortunately.
Turf or dirt: Turf. Nothing like seeing a horse with a spectacular turn of foot on the lawn. Two of my all-time favorites were King Cugat and Megahertz
Favorite piece of racing memorabilia: My wide print picture of Bobby’s Kitten winning the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. One of my best betting days ever at the races. The race capped off an amazing pick 4 I had won in grand fashion.
Person you’d like to meet: Joel Rosario …. and it’s not even close.
Horse you’d like to meet: Heart to Heart. Just a magnificent animal.
Favorite race: 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. The 2002 Test Stakes is a REALLY close second (You vs, Carson Hollow)
Finish this sentence: I wish I could ….. be a jockey. As a kid I would ride my parent’s couch arms and use a whip they bought me at Saratoga. Unfortunately, I grew to be a 6’4” basketball player so I never has a chance. I would definitely be a speed rider. I like to go fast!
How would you get new fans into racing? I would reach out to young, new, and untraditional demographics and get them to a racetrack for a day. People will have no choice to fall in love with the game like I did.
Thank you so much, Barry, for being a part of Fan Friday here on Foxes! You can follow Barry on Twitter (@UrbnHandicapper) and hear him weekly alongside Charles Simon on the Going in Circles podcast.