Comments on: A SAD DAY FOR KENTUCKY

By: Benjamin Henderson KY

Benjamin Henderson KY — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:08:51 +0000

We need VLT’s bad here in KY. Other states Horse Racing tracks across the country are getting them. I think it’s silly. People say that Slots will cause more issues. I think the issues already exist. If people want to gamble in KY they already have BINGO, LOTTERY, and across the river in INDIANI we can go to River Boat Casinoï¿½s.So the temptation is already there for Kentucky Residents that want to gamble. Why not keep the money in Kentucky. (I think thatï¿½\’s to easy). Senator DAVID WILLIAMS he goes across the river to play blackjack at casinos. Why would he VOTE no. I think that he doesnï¿½t want to be judged. Well he has been judged. Ellis Park was my place while growing up, Along with Lary Jones. Ellis park has so many childhood memories for me. Its Home, Its Family. My parents don’t know yet what there going to do with there horses. But when the pea patch closes at the end of the summer meet. I know I will shed a tear. It’s been a very sad week here in KY. Benjamin Henderson KY

By: Bob Hope

Bob Hope — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:02:08 +0000

something is missing here! where were the business plans; the purse projections; the infrastructure improvements; a revitalized kentucky bred program; Horse industry education programs ? are the benefits of the horse industry just a given? I saw a lot of cash but no substance. is is all about cash? Maybe I missed it 1

By: Dray33

Dray33 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:43:01 +0000

Hey Kentucky: you’re a two track state (Kenneland and Churchill Downs). Say farewell to everyone else. Maybe it’s a good thing?

By: Stoptheinsanity

Stoptheinsanity — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:49:44 +0000

Well, Steve, a guy who bets NFL football games every Sunday for the last 10 years isn’t a winner cumulatively either. Yet a couple billion dollars are bet every weekend on the NFL, albeit most of it illegally. I’m sorry, but your argument is a poor one…

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:59:51 +0000

If a Junkie/Horseracing needs a fix he doesn’t care where he gets it from.

Instead of cleaning up his/their act it’s much easier/harmful to take the easy way out.

Using drugs/slots won’t fix the problem.

I don’t know if you know this but Horseracing,as of now,is a Poor gamble!

Slots have not made betting on horses a better gamble,so why do you want them?

To prove it,I’ll bet not one person who has left a message here is a winner over their lifetime.

By: Picksburg Phil

Picksburg Phil — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:49:24 +0000

John,
I understand that you have to put your finger in the dike so you can fight another day, but if the unsustainable business model isn’t changed, your days will still be short-lived. (I’m talking about the tracks and the gambling, not the farms)

And no, I’m not complaining about ITHB. I actually made a few bucks when Robert had his boys at First Jersey pumpin’ and dumpin’ the week Garden State re-opened.

I was just watching Secretariat and Forego on Youtube - guess I’m being sentimental for the good old days.

By: john greathouse

john greathouse — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:21:57 +0000

phil
the gov may have pilfered..and I have long defended the rights of the betting man…remember when one of the brain trusts wanted to take out .5 of 1% said the people wouldn’t miss it…I was on him like white on rice..I said then and still do…It’s not your damn money!! so stop trying to give/take something away..not exactly sure where you are coming from on breeders in the betting pool…there is some give and take here…no tax on breeding stock in Ky except for horses..imagine that..feed tax?? hmmm
some of the things you are trying to fix ..peer to peer…maybe in the future but simulcasting wagering isn’t ready..in the mean time the devil lurks across the river!
please try to forget about greedy tracks..CD is the only one publicly owned and controlled that can qualify for those comments
I agree on the 20% but it has to change on a National basis and Ky can’t do it by themselves
try to live to fight another day
btw..are you complaining about your involvement with Brennan? might be your DD was not good…is that the Industry’s fault..might want to check on Wall
Brennan…out? not in his lifetime

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:19:13 +0000

I have been heavily involved in this business for 20 years. I am terribly disapointed and concerned after yesterdays vote.

While I know that it was strictly a political vote I often wonder if we need to change the perception people outside of this industry have of us. I tend to agree with Benny the Bull. Many a times I ask myself : what do people outside of our industry think of it:
Well, It is always big news during the September or November sales when a mare brings 10 million Dollars, or an unproven yearling sells for 5 million. That is always in the front page of the Herald Leader, Courier Journal etc or one of the top stories on the TV news.

What does the Derby, or Breeders Cup Coverage shows; Ashford, Darley, Overbrook, Hill ‘n’ Dale, Three Chimneys, Gainesway, please do not get me wrong, all this are great farms, with wonderful owners and incredible staff, I do business with all of them every year, but they are a picture of, in many cases, obsceen wealth. Barns that are worth 10 times what an average home is worth, Stallions standing for $500K, $300K, $250K, or even $50K much more than what an average family makes in a year in this state.

Wealthy Wine moguls, Recording label owners, Airline Executives,Ceo’s of Fortune 500 Companys, Bankers, Professional Athletes, Owners of professional Sport teams, Sheiks from Dubai and Saudi Arabia, The Queen…..Those are the owners that people outside of central Kentucky see as the face of the Thoroughbred Industry that so despertly need help, and they probably say No Way !they need help.

For decades we have sold our sport based on its glamour, now we cannot change that perception. They need to see guys like me driving the van to the shed, or an emergency run at midnight to the clinic. Owners cleaning stalls, foaling mares, doing daily vet work, dropping kids at school. struggling to get paid by a client. We need to show residents in other districtsand their leaders that the majority of owners in this business are regular Joe’s like they are working hard everyday to make a living.

By: Jeremy Jet

Jeremy Jet — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:55:46 +0000

“Add peer-to-peer betting.”

Now we’re getting somewhere. A Betfair type market is absolutely, positively the closest thing to a silver bullet that the racing industry could employ. Yes, there are political and technological hurdles to be cleared, but handle would rise tremendously if such markets were properly deployed. And that, in blinding contrast to the idiotic slot machine band-aid, would address and begin to reverse a major core problem facing the industry.

By: Picksburg Phil

Picksburg Phil — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:46:14 +0000

Hit the wrong button. It is absolutely insane to bet into 20%+ rakes.