Comments on: DEAR JOHN…AN OPEN LETTER TO JOHN BRUNETTI http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/ An independent voice for news, analysis and commentary on the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:44:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Paulick Report » Blog Archive » THE WEEK THAT WAS: JULY 28-AUG. 2 http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/comment-page-1/#comment-1824 Paulick Report » Blog Archive » THE WEEK THAT WAS: JULY 28-AUG. 2 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:05:36 +0000 http://www.paulickreport.com/?p=163#comment-1824 [...] sounded off this week on the saga of Hialeah Park, beginning with a Dear John letter to current Hialeah Park owner John J. Brunetti and continuing with a profile of Halsey Minor, the [...] [...] sounded off this week on the saga of Hialeah Park, beginning with a Dear John letter to current Hialeah Park owner John J. Brunetti and continuing with a profile of Halsey Minor, the [...]

]]> By: Sherry http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/comment-page-1/#comment-1814 Sherry Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:13:11 +0000 http://www.paulickreport.com/?p=163#comment-1814 Wonderful letter to John Brunetti, Ray! I was fortunate to have worked on the backside for several years back in the late 70s/early 80s. My dearest friend was one of the morning outriders (she was the first woman outrider at a major racetrack in the US!). It saddens me to watch as Hialeah Park dies a little more each and every day. I was happy to see someone (Mr. Minor) step up to the plate with the financial backing and desire to bring Hialeah back from the decay and restore it to the grandeur it deserves! John Brunetti needs to lead, follow, or get out of the way! Wonderful letter to John Brunetti, Ray!

I was fortunate to have worked on the backside for several years back in the late 70s/early 80s. My dearest friend was one of the morning outriders (she was the first woman outrider at a major racetrack in the US!). It saddens me to watch as Hialeah Park dies a little more each and every day. I was happy to see someone (Mr. Minor) step up to the plate with the financial backing and desire to bring Hialeah back from the decay and restore it to the grandeur it deserves!

John Brunetti needs to lead, follow, or get out of the way!

]]> By: Pattie http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/comment-page-1/#comment-1779 Pattie Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:17:22 +0000 http://www.paulickreport.com/?p=163#comment-1779 I agree with Ray, totally. I pray John Brunetti understands how much we LOVE Hialeah Racetrack & we will continue to fight, to save it. I grew up near Hialeah & I loved going to see the beautiful horses and the lovely landscaped grounds that surround the track. Hialeah is rich with history, so many famous horses, jockeys and trainers once raced there. Lucien Lauren had a barn at Hialeah & Secretariat spent two winters in a row training there prior to winning the Triple Crown in 1973. See books: "Secretariat" written by Raymond G. Woolfe, Jr. (who wrote for The Daily Racing Form) page 34, 2nd paragraph refers to 1972 training; page 69, 2nd paragraph refers to March 1973, training at Hialeah. AND "Ruffian A Racetrack Romance" written by William Nack (who wrote for Sports Illustrated), Page 30, last paragraph refers to Jan. 1972 training. I am proud of Halsey Minor for offering to save this Wonderful Historic Landmark of Florida and the people of Hialeah that keep the faith, the horses will return to race. God Bless Hialeah! I agree with Ray, totally. I pray John Brunetti understands how much we LOVE Hialeah Racetrack & we will continue to fight, to save it. I grew up near Hialeah & I loved going to see the beautiful horses and the lovely landscaped grounds that surround the track. Hialeah is rich with history, so many famous horses, jockeys and trainers once raced there. Lucien Lauren had a barn at Hialeah & Secretariat spent two winters in a row training there prior to winning the Triple Crown in 1973. See books: “Secretariat” written by Raymond G. Woolfe, Jr. (who wrote for The Daily Racing Form) page 34, 2nd paragraph refers to 1972 training; page 69, 2nd paragraph refers to March 1973, training at Hialeah. AND “Ruffian A Racetrack Romance” written by William Nack (who wrote for Sports Illustrated), Page 30, last paragraph refers to Jan. 1972 training. I am proud of Halsey Minor for offering to save this Wonderful Historic Landmark of Florida and the people of Hialeah that keep the faith, the horses will return to race. God Bless Hialeah!

]]> By: Brigitte http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/comment-page-1/#comment-1761 Brigitte Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:09:54 +0000 http://www.paulickreport.com/?p=163#comment-1761 I agree with everything "The regular guy" said. I fear that Mr. Brunetti has come to a point in his life where he can't see how his nostalgia is blurring his view of reality. He can't see what the rest of the world can - that working with Mr. Minor can make his vision for Hialeah come true. Instead, by digging in his heels like a toddler in tantrum he's made the rest of us shake our heads in disgust, believing a good swift swat on the rear would fix that. I too pray that Mr. Brunetti reads this and understands that working with Mr. Minor will ensure his name does not become a black mark on the white stands of Hialeah. I agree with everything “The regular guy” said. I fear that Mr. Brunetti has come to a point in his life where he can’t see how his nostalgia is blurring his view of reality. He can’t see what the rest of the world can - that working with Mr. Minor can make his vision for Hialeah come true. Instead, by digging in his heels like a toddler in tantrum he’s made the rest of us shake our heads in disgust, believing a good swift swat on the rear would fix that. I too pray that Mr. Brunetti reads this and understands that working with Mr. Minor will ensure his name does not become a black mark on the white stands of Hialeah.

]]> By: The regular guy http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/comment-page-1/#comment-1746 The regular guy Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:55:07 +0000 http://www.paulickreport.com/?p=163#comment-1746 Ray - I love your pull-no-punches approach to your website and opinion. I pray Mr. Brunetti reads this and understands that you are applauding a positive effort to restoring a racing treasure, rather than just knocking his past. You can't unring a bell. As Van Morrison said, "Let Flamingos Fly". Ray - I love your pull-no-punches approach to your website and opinion. I pray Mr. Brunetti reads this and understands that you are applauding a positive effort to restoring a racing treasure, rather than just knocking his past. You can’t unring a bell.
As Van Morrison said, “Let Flamingos Fly”.

]]> By: Muggs http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/comment-page-1/#comment-1740 Muggs Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:36:07 +0000 http://www.paulickreport.com/?p=163#comment-1740 With all due respect to Santa Anita and Arlington, Hialeah is the most beautiful racetrack in America. Brunetti has been a tyrant that has made more enemies than the law allows. Mr. Minor may be a bit of a loose cannon but does anyone think he can do worse than Magna,Churchill,NYRA,and the CHRB? With all due respect to Santa Anita and Arlington, Hialeah is the most beautiful racetrack in America. Brunetti has been a tyrant that has made more enemies than the law allows. Mr. Minor may be a bit of a loose cannon but does anyone think he can do worse than Magna,Churchill,NYRA,and the CHRB?

]]> By: TomasinNM http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/comment-page-1/#comment-1734 TomasinNM Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:28:53 +0000 http://www.paulickreport.com/?p=163#comment-1734 Well said Ray. I've been puzzling over this myself, what is Mr. Brunetti hoping will happen otherwise? Doesn't make sense to say no to Mr. Minor in my view. Well said Ray. I’ve been puzzling over this myself, what is Mr. Brunetti hoping will happen otherwise? Doesn’t make sense to say no to Mr. Minor in my view.

]]> By: NancyBen http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/comment-page-1/#comment-1730 NancyBen Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:54:03 +0000 http://www.paulickreport.com/?p=163#comment-1730 A great article Ray. Mr. Minor's ideas sound so wonderful. I have long advocated bringing the races back to the fans. Shorter time between races sounds great. However my most heartfelt suggestion is to encourage the fans to love the horses. They don't have to be superhorses to love them. Assault was loved because the crowd knew that they would hear - "and here comes Assault". In my youth, in Vancouver I remember loving a horse named Comiston because of his beauty - new penny chestnut with 4 white stockings and a large blaze. There was also Burma Pete, whose withers were so high that the saddle sat at a 90 degree angle. This may sound silly but a little personal attention from the horses connections might help. How about stepping off their pedestals and having autograph sessions. The only two other sports that I follow are rodeo and hockey and they both go out of their way to relay the personal touch to the fans. While I'm ranting let me add one more thought - has anyone ever adjusted the value of purses over the years to balance the value a horse has won. Seems to me that Man O' War's $300,000 plus in 1920 would compare rather favorably. Thank you for the joy you bring to my horseless life. Nancy Benstead A great article Ray. Mr. Minor’s ideas sound so wonderful. I have long advocated bringing the races back to the fans.
Shorter time between races sounds great. However my most heartfelt suggestion is to encourage the fans to love the horses. They don’t have to be superhorses to love them. Assault was loved because the crowd knew that they would hear - “and here comes Assault”. In my youth, in Vancouver I remember loving a horse named Comiston because of his beauty - new penny chestnut with 4 white stockings and a large blaze. There was also Burma Pete, whose withers were so high that the saddle sat at a 90 degree angle.
This may sound silly but a little personal attention from the horses connections might help. How about stepping off their pedestals and having autograph sessions. The only two other sports that I follow are rodeo and hockey and they both go out of their way to relay the personal touch to the fans.
While I’m ranting let me add one more thought - has anyone ever adjusted the value of purses over the years to balance the value a horse has won. Seems to me that Man O’ War’s $300,000 plus in 1920 would compare rather favorably.
Thank you for the joy you bring to my horseless life. Nancy Benstead

]]> By: Matt http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/dear-johnan-open-letter-to-john-brunetti/comment-page-1/#comment-1729 Matt Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:41:50 +0000 http://www.paulickreport.com/?p=163#comment-1729 I was hoping you would do something like this, Ray, and you didn't let me down. Count me among the people that believe Mr. Minor can save Hialeh and possibly our broken industry if given the opportunity. I was hoping you would do something like this, Ray, and you didn’t let me down. Count me among the people that believe Mr. Minor can save Hialeh and possibly our broken industry if given the opportunity.

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