Comments on: CONFUSING WEALTH WITH VISION

By: Paulick Report » Blog Archive » THE WEEK THAT WAS: AUG. 10-16

Paulick Report » Blog Archive » THE WEEK THAT WAS: AUG. 10-16 — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:13:53 +0000

[...] and de facto strongman of the New York Racing Association. It’s been more than 25 years since Phipps carried the official title of chairman of the board of trustees of the NYRA, but he’s still numero uno in clubhouse box assignments at Saratoga and Belmont Park, and [...]

By: pa guy

pa guy — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:03:07 +0000

excellent writing, ray! this has to be said: the poooh bahs of racing are out of touch with reality, and through the phipps male line, continue to weaken the breed of racing administrators. the jockey club, to me, is an impediment not a facilitator for this industry and the various organizations dominated by the phipps’ s continue to repeat errors of the magnitude represented by the ‘no tv please’ dictum of the 50’s and 60’s. racing desperately needs a new line of leadership.

By: NYRA’s Inferno « The Thoroughbred Brief

NYRA’s Inferno « The Thoroughbred Brief — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:09:15 +0000

[...] 14, 2008 · No Comments A recent editorial by Ray Paulick about the mid-seventies shake-up of NYRA, as well as NYRA’s close relationship [...]

By: E-man

E-man — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:18:27 +0000

A really interesting piece of history. I didn’t realize that the lack of proper promotion by NYRA dated as far back as 1977 — i.e. neglecting to tie-in Seattle Slew to their Belmont promotions — like , DUH!

Years ago, somebody else suggested that Dinny Phipps’ real nickname should be “Dimmy” — ’nuff said.

By: Wesly

Wesly — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:52:42 +0000

Too bad it took so long for the truth about the Phipps “reign of terror” to come out. Everyone knows who has called the shots in NY and it was always amazing that during the entire NYRA scandal with Mr. Spitzer that Phipps name was rarely if ever mentioned.

By: Alison Thompson Murphy

Alison Thompson Murphy — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:55:39 +0000

Great job Ray, although I think it’s pathetic that we have to applaud what is plain old good journalism. The standard among our trades is so sub par that a page of Ray is like coming out of a cold dark cave on a sunny spring day.

Yet, I firmly believe that no matter who is in charge, who is buying tracks, who is trying to ruin them, who is racing whom, whether or not there is a triple crown winner…..there is very little that can be done to undo that which has caused racing to JUMP THE SHARK! I’ll be in it as long as I can, but I’m certainly working hard to steer my children from looking at the industry as a career option.

By: Priscilla

Priscilla — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:33:24 +0000

This is your second award-winning piece since the debut of this website, Ray. I wonder if the political correctness in our industry would allow turf writers to recognize them with an award. I would have thought so before reading these pieces.

By: Garrett Redmond

Garrett Redmond — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:01:31 +0000

Well done. That is the history lesson everyone in our business needs. The only conclusion that may be drawn is: the oligarchy must be rooted out.

Do not let us stop with the NYRA. Turn the spotlight on it’s brother organization - The Jockey Club. TJC has accomplished the objective for which it was formed more than 100 years ago, that is, control of racing in North America. With the blessing (and sometimes connivance) of state racing commissions, TJC now controls everything including management of cash flow to owners & trainers. TJC is the personal fiefdom of Phipps and Farish. Other people are INVITED to membership purely as window dressing.

First step in breaking TJC power is to force it to divest itself of The American Stud Book. That is the source of it’s primary cash flow. It charges $200 to do what the AQHA does for less than $100. TJC is an anti-competition monopoly, but the Justice Department is unlikely to question it, unless there is administrative change.

If it is not forced to divest, then we need a competing organization. Believe me, that would be easier than anyone might think.

The hard fact we must face is that all the current “leaders” cannot lead us anywhere except to perdition.

By: Monte Couch

Monte Couch — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:29:09 +0000

Great job Ray!! Although you might have mentioned self serving, close minded and out of touch with racing’s needs both then and now. New York as a state in racing has done more to hold the growth of racing back more than any one state in the country. Dinny needs to go away and watch his horses run on TVG from Palm Beach and let some fresh innovative people try to save our beautiful sport. Love the perspective Ray!!

By: Al

Al — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:25:35 +0000

Tremendous history lesson Ray! The NYRA continues to stew in its own pot while racing ’s demise persists. Egos and deep pockets must step aside and permit new and vibrant professionals to manage operations. Dinny and the other wealthy family members that started racing in NY around the turn of the century are welcome to ride along, just not in the driver’s seat anymore. We will all respect their prior contributuions and their importance to the highest levels of racing, but please, enough is enough of the same old unsuccessful modus operandi.