Few voices in horse racing are as recognized—or as polarizing—as Andy Serling. Whether he’s breaking down a maiden claimer on a quiet Thursday or firing off takes on a high-stakes Saturday, Serling has built a career out of saying what he sees—and backing it up with decades of experience. In this exclusive Aces & Races Q&A, we get under the hood of what it really means to be a public handicapper: the grind, the scrutiny, the sharp edges, and the joy. No hot takes here—just real talk from a man who’s seen it all.

1. You’ve built a career around calling it like you see it. What was the moment you realized you could actually make a living sharing your opinions on horse racing?

“I don’t think there was a moment, but in late 1995, Steve Crist ( who was working at NYRA at the time ) asked me if I would fill in on Talking Horses during December. I found I was comfortable doing it and enjoyed it so I suppose that’s how the seed was planted.”

2. You’re watched, praised, and criticized—sometimes all in the same race. What’s the emotional reality of being a public-facing handicapper, and how do you handle the heat?

“Well, in theory, you want as many people paying attention as possible, so you better then be prepared for some reactions, some nicer than others:-) It’s no secret that people aren’t always very nice on the internet. I probably allowed some of it to bother me too much 10-15 years ago. Now, I just know it goes with the territory. As long as they’re listening…”

3. Most fans only see the picks. They don’t see the grind. What does your preparation actually look like on a big race day? Any rituals, red flags, or secret angles?

“My preparation is the same on a “big” day as on a Thursday in February. Obviously some cards take longer than others, but I follow the same routine, and gather the same kinds of information, regardless of what day or time of the year it is. Nothing secret. Like a lot of horseplayers, I’m a creature of habit.”

4. You’ve been doing this at a high level for a long time.
How has public handicapping changed since you started—and has it made the job easier or harder?

“I can’t speak about Public Handicapping in general, but things haven’t changed for me. I would like to think I have grown as a handicapper, but I have been making picks for every race, the vast majority of the racing days, for the past 17 years at NYRA. It’s harder, perhaps, only in that the money in the pools is probably smarter, so your returns may be lower, but that doesn’t change the challenge.”

5. Let’s talk about the noise. In an era of hot takes and Twitter trolls, how do you decide what feedback to absorb—and what to ignore?

There is certainly a lot of noise out there, in all arenas, but generally I’m happy to communicate with people that are civil and ignore the ones that aren’t. Disagreement is good. Nastiness is boring.

6. What’s one moment—good or bad—that made you stop and think: “This job is different”?
Could be a wild fan encounter, a pick gone viral, or a race you’ll never forget.

There wasn’t one. This job is a blessing. I got a chance to do exactly what I wanted to do. 

7. The pressure to be ‘right’ is always there. How do you stay sharp mentally when the results don’t go your way—or worse, when everyone sees it?

“That’s a good question. You learn to get better at it, I guess. I probably learned the most about it when I played full time in the mid 90s.  But it’s always a learning process. I am good at focusing when I’m handicapping, good times and bad, but it’s easier when things are going well. But you have a responsibility to do the best job you can, during good and bad times.  Don’t celebrate too much when things are going well and don’t mope too much when they aren’t.” 

8. So many people think they can be handicappers.
What’s the one thing most fans don’t understand about doing it professionally?

“I don’t know, having to make picks for every race, even though you like some much more than others? I get paid to handicap and talk about races. I’m extremely fortunate.”

9. If someone wanted to follow in your footsteps today…
What advice would you give them about building a voice in this space—without losing their mind or their edge?

“Well, I think they should learn to bet, and actually bet, as if you don’t do that you aren’t likely to learn from your mistakes, and that’s the best way to learn. As far as building a voice, well, I don’t know that I have the answer to that, but one thing you should never do is pander. Don’t tell people what they want to hear just to gain acceptance. Don’t say things because you think that’s the “right” answer for the masses. Develop a qualified opinion, one that you are confident you can defend, and share it. If you don’t have one,  that’s OK too. You don’t need to wade into every discussion.”

10. Track that doesn’t get enough Love? Favorite horse?

“Aqueduct. Too many to name. So many favorites over the years. Skip Away is up there.”

In a game where the opinions are loud and the results are louder, Andy Serling has managed to stay true to his voice, never trading honesty for applause. Whether you agree with his picks or not, there’s no denying the clarity, commitment, and candor he brings to the table every single race day. For those aspiring to follow in his footsteps, the blueprint isn’t flashy—it’s focused. Do the work. Bet like it matters. And never fake what you don’t feel.

Thanks again to Andy for pulling back the curtain—and reminding us why this game, and the people who live it, are anything but ordinary.