| | Welcome to ESPN.com's moderated chat room. On Wednesday, ESPN anchor Kenny Mayne hit chat to talk a little horse racing with users.  Mayne's knowledge of the Sport of Kings is less well-known than his wry humor as an ESPN SportsCenter anchor, unless you've been following his ESPN.com chats recently. Mayne joined ESPN2 in May 1994 as a SportSmash anchor, providing five-minute score and news reports every half-hour, and as a feature reporter for SportsNight. From September 1995 to August 1997, he served as the original host of ESPN2's weekend auto racing news and highlights programs, Sunday morning's RPM 2Day and RPM 2Night on Saturday and Sunday. Prior to joining ESPN, Mayne had served as a freelance reporter and field producer for the network from 1990-1994. "During that time," Mayne says, "I only pursued one full-time television job. ESPN. I had the ESPN 800-number and called all the time with story ideas. I guess they finally decided it was less expensive to hire me than to keep paying for my phone calls." Below is a transcript from Mayne's April 18 chat:
 Kenny Mayne at 12:07pm ET
sorry i'm a few minutes late. i'm an idiot.
Gretchen from [129.137.161.13], at 12:07pm ET
Do you think that after Congaree's impressive run in the Wood he has a chance to be Point Given?
Kenny Mayne at 12:09pm ET
No I don't think he has a chance to be Point Given.
Whether he can beat point given is another question.
So far, Point Given seems to be the only one without
any flaws...Some others, A.P., for example have stumbled..
and then some others, last weekend, came on to surprise.
It makes for some good fun in a couple weeks...But clearly,
Point Given seems to be the lead animal.
PhysicalKetchup from [150.252.106.141], at 12:09pm ET
What were you thinking when you were sliding on that tarp?
Kenny Mayne at 12:11pm ET
Of course, answering this is going to infuriate those
who want to discuss horse racing alone. But for the record,
I'm simply answering questions based on the 'feel' of the room.
I was thinking it would be funny. Always go for the joke.
My producer, Tom McCollum dared me to slide across the Fenway tarp at the conclusion of our five city baseball
tour. It seemed like a good idea. He told me I'd regret
it if I didn't.
tim from [204.60.6.242], at 12:11pm ET
i think you suck on sportscenter. what do you have to say about that? you are a monotone moron.
Kenny Mayne at 12:12pm ET
Thanks for your comments, Tim. It would be lame of me
to post only good reviews from the crowd. When I'm on the tv
you should turn the channel.
Geoff Folsom from [63.24.200.131], at 12:13pm ET
I had trouble reading the odds at the track and I'm too cheap to buy a program and i thought this horse I bet on was 20-1 but it was actually 70-1 and it won. Does that happen a lot?
Kenny Mayne at 12:16pm ET
Had you purchased a program it would have provided you
only with the "morning line" (the predicted odds)...
The board, at the time the gate opens, is where you'll
see the final odds...and even then it's not perfectly
stating the odds...for example it may say 70 and it is really 70.50..(or 2 is really 2.10 or whatever..)
You should be happy with your money earned and continue
playing the horses in your unusual manner.
Kenny Mayne at 12:16pm ET
Had you purchased a program it would have provided you
only with the "morning line" (the predicted odds)...
The board, at the time the gate opens, is where you'll
see the final odds...and even then it's not perfectly
stating the odds...for example it may say 70 and it is really 70.50..(or 2 is really 2.10 or whatever..)
You should be happy with your money earned and continue
playing the horses in your unusual manner.
Tom97 from [208.14.205.1] at 12:16pm ET
You should still yell out "Fusiachi Pegasus!" (sp) when someone hits a home run, that's hilarious. I'll even hold up a sign to legitamize it.
Kenny Mayne at 12:17pm ET
Ok...I was going with "I am Lothar the Terrible. What
have I to fear from Rome."
joe from [164.58.10.126], at 12:17pm ET
I think sportscenter should give more coverage to horseracing and try to publicize the sport more. Do they have any plans to do this? It doesn't take much time to give a short recap of the weekends biggest races.
Kenny Mayne at 12:18pm ET
I'd be first in line to do that...I think we have done
a better job recently in getting some animal news on the air. I'm in agreement with you that it doesn't get enough
play.
Kevin from [152.163.204.184], at 12:18pm ET
If someone produced a sports broadcasting skills video, would you endorse it? If not, who would?
Kenny Mayne at 12:19pm ET
No. Fred McGriff would do that.
Carl from [151.203.37.39], at 12:19pm ET
Kenny, Ever been to Saratoga Springs in NY?? I honestly believe it to be one of the greatest places in th US to see a race. Just a perfect setting and great little town!
Kenny Mayne at 12:20pm ET
Yes. I've written of same on these chats previously.
And ESPN Magazine has me writing a short story in the near
future about the good racing and good living to be had
on a day in Saratoga.
Walt Cody from [129.81.169.104], at 12:20pm ET
Balto Star has demolished the field in his last 3 races and thrown out huge beyers in doing it. Why does the media think Point Given is so much better? Point Given beat a couple of sprinters and a handful of plodders in Santa Anita.
Kenny Mayne at 12:21pm ET
Maybe you're right...that's what makes the buildup so much fun...you can argue one's merits against another..
But the thing is...the Derby winner isn't necessarily always
the best 3-yr-old....there's a ton of luck involved..
For the moment..I'm still with Point Given..but I'm not
discounting your horse's chances..
Gabe from [63.208.207.235], at 12:22pm ET
Kenny, How do you pick your winners?
Beyer figures, hunches, jockeys?
Kenny Mayne at 12:23pm ET
Class is first..then I make some prediction of how I think the race will be run...(who can steal it...or...are there
too many who need the lead, etc.)
But after the fact I always kick myself for not recognizing
how a jockey ended up with 5 winners..and I didn't get
on board with him/her after win no. 2.
tim sucks from [130.91.226.71], at 12:23pm ET
kenny, how often do you get to go to the track?
Kenny Mayne at 12:25pm ET
Not as much as I want..but probably as much as I should.
I used to live at Longacres in Seattle in my high school
and college years..
Now I go to the larger events (to cover them)...and I make
it to Saratoga or some other place every so often.
Kenny Mayne at 12:25pm ET
Are the people who thought we didn't talk about horse
racing last time..ok with the content so far?
MOKIEJOE from [141.129.1.113], at 12:25pm ET
HOW DID YOU GET THE HORSE RACING JOB AT ESPN?
Kenny Mayne at 12:27pm ET
I didn't know I had a horse racing job at ESPN.
I write for the .com site and go to a few races on my days
off.
A full time horse race person would be Randy Moss.
He's a good one.
Gretchen from [129.137.161.13], at 12:27pm ET
Yes, I'm content, thank you.
Kenny Mayne at 12:27pm ET
Thanks, Gretchen. Your support means everything to me.
herb from [24.4.252.17], at 12:28pm ET
have you ever been to the sports palace at pimilico? talk about terrible service, and tellers with attitudes, and how come tellers are allowed to bet now. why are tracks so dirty? don't owners care?
Kenny Mayne at 12:29pm ET
What if the Preakness were held at Saratoga...a five
day meet in mid May.
Or...any Baltimore citizens out there...did they fix the
joint up and no one told me?
CHULA from [152.163.201.213], at 12:29pm ET
Kenny, whens the ESPN Horse Racing game coming out for Playstation 2 and are you going to do a commercial for it (Ex: Winter X Games)
Kenny Mayne at 12:31pm ET
Sure. You can represent me on the deal. Let's take Disney
for everything it has.
But as for your sign on name...Chula...
we put on a Jai Alai play last night in the Top Ten Plays.
It was from Dania Jai Alai.
Instead of slot machines to help "save" racing....I think
they should stage Jai Alai in the infield. No. Really.
MJ from [152.135.230.4], at 12:31pm ET
I'm not content. Let's talk about the Sports Century list that was done a couple of years ago. At least ten athletes placed lower than that horse did.
Kenny Mayne at 12:32pm ET
More than ten..I think Secretariat was like no. 32..33??
I don't recall..But it was a great story.
I was OK with an animal being presented as an athlete.
You disagree...I think these kind of debates helped give
that project some extra life, no?
Scott K. from [158.72.89.100], at 12:33pm ET
Do you think Songandaprayer can go the mile and quarter to win the Derby or will he be better suited for say the Preakness?
Kenny Mayne at 12:34pm ET
In that either or question...I lean toward Preakness..
But I still like that horse a lot...Right now...I don't
have him wiring the field in Kentucky...unless he gets
an easy lead and there's some mess behind him.
The Deputy from [147.134.144.101], at 12:34pm ET
Do you know if there are any good training/educational programs in America that can help you become a racetrack announcer (P.A., like what Tom Durkin does)? Do you know if it is really difficult to get into the business? Love your columns, by the way.
Kenny Mayne at 12:35pm ET
Check with Arizona or Arizona St...one of those has a great
track management program (or maybe both?)..
Maybe they also offer something along the lines you speak
of..
My favorite anncr is Trevor Denman..not that you asked.
Mustang from [207.172.52.95], at 12:35pm ET
Kenny, Why dont they move the Preakness to a place like Gulfstream?? Its obvious to anyone who has been to Pimlico that the place is a dump. You cant even go to the restroom at Pimlico without pieces of cement falling on you.
Kenny Mayne at 12:36pm ET
If a lot of cement falls on you this year...I'll be there
to dig you out.
Kenny Mayne at 12:36pm ET
I was not allowed to be involved. We have our own web site.
In fact, I'm working for its greater glory right now.
PhysicalKetchup from [150.252.106.141], at 12:37pm ET
A-Rod sucks Kenny
Kenny Mayne at 12:38pm ET
I don't agree. He's one of the great players in the game
and did a lot for Seattle.
Would you have passed on 252 mil? Would you pass on a new
opportunity from another company (in your chosen field)
if it helped you and your family?
I think the Seattle response to A-Rod's arrival was
a bit much...
He'd earned the right to market himself and he did.
Chris from [198.59.190.61], at 12:39pm ET
How does that guy get an A-Rod comment on, and you won't post any of my stuff
Kenny Mayne at 12:40pm ET
I'll look for a good q from you that I missed.
MoonMan from [24.8.91.81], at 12:40pm ET
What was the softest and or prettiest horse you have ever had the opportunity to pet? Thanks!
Kenny Mayne at 12:41pm ET
My friend Suzy Kolber got to pet Cigar. That's my best
horse petting story.
Tony from [198.102.213.196], at 12:41pm ET
Any thoughts on the North Dakota scheme?
Kenny Mayne at 12:42pm ET
Sounds like a great scheme until they got caught.
Not that they're guilty until proven so...(I haven't followed the latest..was there a plea?)
Steve from [64.12.105.166], at 12:42pm ET
Do you get to pick the funky music that is played in the background of the Sportscenter highlights?
Kenny Mayne at 12:42pm ET
No. I'd play Stevie Wonder only..but he costs too much.
phidelt from [165.139.179.1], at 12:43pm ET
kenny,
when bonds hits a homer in the water, do women and children get out first to retreive the ball?
Kenny Mayne at 12:44pm ET
No. But there's a potential "hole in the bottom of the sea"
With that..or one more if I see something too good to pass up...
our session has ended..I've gone past the 30 min mark..
and that was the deal...and i'm such a big rule follower.
Chris from [198.59.190.61], at 12:45pm ET
Do you think John Anderson tries to mimick your personality a bit on air?
Kenny Mayne at 12:47pm ET
You mean I'm not John Anderson?
No..I don't he does that. His personality on the air
is what it is off the air...I like his work. He's tall.
Thanks for writing.
As you were.
di from [141.129.1.113], at 12:48pm ET
kenny don't leave!!!!
Kenny Mayne at 12:49pm ET
I have to write stuff for a tv show called SportsCenter.
It's on the tv.
2149 from [198.83.168.4], at 12:49pm ET
can you confirm that you are or are not a welder?
Kenny Mayne at 12:49pm ET
I am not a welder. Where is El Norte?>
PhysicalKetchup from [150.252.106.141], at 12:50pm ET
Waisting Time
Kenny Mayne at 12:50pm ET
misspelled words.
John T. from [208.31.101.2], at 12:51pm ET
Kenny, looks like if your web skills shown today carryover to your WebPage, you're going to have some serious problems.
Kenny Mayne at 12:51pm ET
How's that?
(By the way..this chat is stil going sort of)
(I'm on phone on another horse racing matter)
What ever in San Diego from [128.49.190.126], at 12:54pm ET
Can I use those coupons for surf and turf yet?
Kenny Mayne at 12:55pm ET
yes. thanks for reminding me of that one. steve t hasn't
expressed his issues yet..and we're about to really end
this when my phone call stops and i have to work on actual
tv show.
| |
|
