PAULICK REPORT CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY
By Ray Paulick
There have been very few dull moments since the Paulick Report was launched one year ago today, June 16, 2008. I guess that’s one of the benefits for a journalist covering an industry in turmoil.
Where to begin? We’ve posted 418 of our own stories, most of them written by me, and have linked to thousands of others published in daily newspapers and trade publications – both of which are going through their own economic crises – and the independent writers who represent about the only growth segment of the industry through their online blogs.
The idea behind the creation of the Paulick Report was to offer independent coverage of an industry that, for the most part, has been given a free pass from the press. We’ve tackled many subjects people in the industry have talked about for years but were left untouched by the media. Foremost among those issues is the leadership that is largely responsible for the problems the industry now faces.
Among other subjects, we’ve examined how the Breeders’ Cup has evolved over the last 25 years, going from a small group of self-appointed leaders to a more democratic process where nominators to the program have a say over who is charge. But the battle for control has been fierce, between the “old guard” led by Will Farish, his son Bill and some close associates, and the “new guard,” represented by people like Bill Casner of WinStar Farm.
Many of the Breeders’ Cup nominators weren’t very happy in December when the organization’s board of directors voted to eliminate the special stakes program supplements that have been a key part of the program since 1984. The Paulick Report covered that story aggressively and accurately, reporting on the significant losses of the Breeders’ Cup’s investment portfolio, which coincided with the decision to eliminate the stakes supplements. The uproar was substantial, and in an unprecedented move, the board quickly reversed its decision and kept the stakes program for at least another year.
We’ve taken a close look at how the Jockey Club, run for years by Dinny Phipps, has tentacles reaching into many other industry organizations in an attempt to control as much of the business as possible. We also reported on how The Jockey Club, whose principal purpose is to be the Thoroughbred breed registry, has built a family of for-profit companies that have done quite well financially at the expense of industry participants.
Another company that has prospered is the Keeneland Association (which we referred to as “Lexington’s Fort Knox” in a two-part series that culminated with the question “Who Owns Keeneland?”) The articles explained how Keeneland took over the sales company from a horsemen’s co-op and has since earned hundreds of millions of dollars, and how the once publicly held shares in Keeneland were acquired by the association over a number of years and are now in the hands of a holding company.
We had fun with some of these stories. When the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association gave its own Sales Integrity Committee an industry service award (the headline was “TOBA gives award to…TOBA”), we called them on it (as if nobody else noticed the self-congratulatory move).
One of the hot-button issues in recent years is medication. Bad news has been abundant in that area (Rick Dutrow was the 2008 Triple Crown poster child for medication and other violations, and several additional high-profile trainers also had horses test positive for prohibited drugs), but there was good news, too. Anabolic steroids, which for years had been one of racing’s dirty little secrets (they were considered a therapeutic drug and were legal in most states), were subjected to strict regulations in many jurisdictions in 2008 and early 2009.
Another significant problem the industry faces is an antiquated tote system owned by three different companies, all of which are for sale. We reported on numerous instances of past-posting, where bettors were allowed to make wagers after races had started and in some cases well after they had been run. Another Paulick Report exclusive focused on how the Jockey Club may get into the tote business with yet another for-profit subsidiary. Stay tuned on that one.
Racetracks provided us with plenty of stories to cover, too. Magna Entertainment, the largest track operator in North America, filed for bankruptcy in March. We reported much earlier on the constantly revolving door of executives who have worked for the company and were terminated at the whim of Magna chairman Frank Stronach. It hasn’t been a stable company at any point in its brief history.
We exposed how Churchill Downs, which has been far more successful than Magna, is trying to squeeze purse revenue by shifting wagers from on-track to its account wagering company, Twin Spires. A feature on the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Group, which represents various horsemen’s organizations in their negotiations with Churchill and other tracks, provided some good news for horse owners.
The Paulick Report also served as a forum for other writers, including the tireless Fred Pope, the Lexington advertising executive who has been calling the simulcasting model “upside down” because it rewards the bet takers (the site or account wagering company taking wagers on someone else’s race) far more than it does the racetrack and horsemen who staged the race. Pope’s article elicited a record number of responses in the comment section, a unique part of our online publication, which allows the public to sound off on the issues.
We broke our share of stories over the past year: Curlin going to Lane’s End for stud duty; the Ernie Paragallo horse abuse case in New York; the efforts of “old guard” Breeders’ Cup board members to keep NetJets chairman and longtime horse owner and breeder Richard Santulli, along with Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm owner John Sikura, off the organization’s operating board; layoffs at Churchill Downs and Blood-Horse magazine, along with the elimination of several turf writers at big city daily newspapers; Halsey Minor’s efforts to buy Hialeah from John Brunetti, and Minor’s attempt to purchase many of the Magna tracks out of bankruptcy; and the Thoroughbred Owners of California’s decision to bid for Santa Anita from the same bankruptcy proceedings.
Live blogging was an interesting and effective way to cover some of the events and get the news out as it happens: among them were the Congressional hearings into horseracing last June, industry conferences and regulatory meetings, and the Eclipse Awards in January.
Do we have any regrets? Sure, perhaps the tenor of some of the stories were overly critical and sometimes too personal.
But the overwhelming feeling I have for the last year is gratitude. Our readership has more than tripled since our launch, and we have continued to build support from the Thoroughbred advertising community, even though they understand they are not buying favorable coverage with their dollars. It is gratifying that so many businesses support this kind of independent journalism, and we hope those who haven’t will see the benefits of what the Paulick Report offers to the industry.
Thanks to our readers, those who have given us moral or financial support, and our advertisers.
We’re just getting started.
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
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Tags: Bill Casner, Dinny Phipps, fred pope, Jockey Club, Keeneland Association, Magna Entertainment, Paulick Report, rick dutrow, steroids, Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, TOBA, Twin Spires, Will Farish
June 16th, 2009 at 9:32 am
…and thank you for having the vision and courage to become an independent voice in an industry that continues to try and control the message that is conveyed to a public that just isn’t buying it anymore. Such credible editorial writing does make a difference.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Happy Birthday Paulick Report!!
Keep it coming, Ray. Sometimes the emporer needs to know he has no clothes.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Congratulations on reaching the one-year milestone! Indeed, this is cause for celebration in difficult times. Maintaining an independent voice when speaking truth to power is never easy, especially in an industry which, like may politicians, likes using code words in order to stifle legitimate criticism. Long live the “nattering nabobs of negativism.”
June 16th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Congrats, this has been a great site to get information, and get different opinions. You stated “Do we have any regrets? Sure, perhaps the tenor of some of the stories were overly critical and sometimes too personal.”. I was thinking about that. Sometimes I get so angry at the industry, especially certain tracks. I’m just a small time gambler and love the sport. That’s why it gets personal. I don’t know of many industries that have dedicated, passionate fans as Horse Racing. In the scheme of things I shouldn’t care. And I think that’s where the Horse Racing industry fails: they overlook the passion of their fans and chase possibilities that rarely pan out.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Congratulations! You have truly become: The Truth Well Told.* Keep up the great work.
*apologies to my former employer McCann-Erickson Worldwide for borrowing their slogan.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Congrats Ray!
June 16th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Happy Anniversary baby! Couldn’t live without you now!
June 16th, 2009 at 11:30 am
One down any many more to go, you’ve earned this moment, congratulations on it!
June 16th, 2009 at 11:58 am
No day goes by without checking The Paulick Report at least twice. Great job, class tells.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Congratulations on a successful year of your site. I’m sure your readership will only keep building. Good luck in the future.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Congratulations on a great first year Ray, and please accept my wishes of many more to come.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Keep up the great work!!! I love coming to this site two or three times a day and finding out what is *really* going on in the industry after I read the BH and the Times. Keep up the good work.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
This is THE FIRST PLACE on the web I now go for t’bred news. Congragulations!
June 16th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Thanks for your great infomative reporting Ray, I look for it the first thing everyday,
Your long time friend Ron
June 16th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Congrats Ray! I think you offer the best opportunity for all interested parties to debate racing’s issues and to encourage solutions. Great job!
June 16th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Thanks to the Paulick Report for giving horseplayers an opportunity to interact with other industry stakeholders, and to voice their concerns to an audience beyond their own choir. It consistently presents its readers with — and refers them to — more sides of more racing-related issues than any other source of news and/or opinion. It has obviously gained the trust of its readership as it raised their awareness..
Congratulations on your first anniversary. You’ve raised the bar to a new standard.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Ray Paulick: the last authentic newspaperman
June 16th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Congratulations to the Paulick Report on a year of excellence.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
“…..perhaps the tenor….overly critical …. too personal.” ??? Don’t regret one word you published. Those who ‘got it’, richly deserved it.
You have been the cure for what ails this business for too long.
Your stock has risen day by day. Stay doing what you have been doing.
Congratulations on a great year. Best wishes and hopes for many more.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Thank you Ray.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
—it’s very tough out there and Ray, you’ve done it!!!!—Hung in there when it’s tough, Thanks—r
June 16th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Can’t believe it’s only been a year! Great work. I look forward to many continuing years as a gadfly and sometime-contributor. I don’t know what we did without you!
June 16th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Congratulations and thanks - as others have said, the Paulick Report is my first (and most trusted) source for racing industry news.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Ray,
Congratulations on the first anniversary and a great first year under very challenging environment. Keep up the good work - as I said earlier ” you are the conscience of our industry” and we need more independent and unbiased reporters like you.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Kudos. And many more..
June 16th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Well, it looks like you can celebrate with some icing on the cake. 10 of the 13 candidates endorsed by the Paulick Report in the Breeders Cup bake-off have been elected Congratulations. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I’m very interested in the inner workings of the industry and the politics involved.
So the Paulick Report has become a daily stop for me during my workday.
I may not always agree with Mr. Paulick but I wish to congratulate on his first anniversary.
Cheers to another year of uniqueness from The Paulick Report and the counterpart blog.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Cheers on completion of a successful maiden run for the Paulick Report — and the impressive dossier of features and accomplishments (made even more impressive in the face of a daunting economy and in the absence of any government “stimulus” funds)Hope to see you trackside in August.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
It is so sad, to sit and watch the bafoons at the controls of this wonderful sport run compete havac, promoting those who cheat, hold them up to the highest levels. In my opinion there is a conspiracy to defraud the bettor by allowing these antics to continue, protecting the wealthiest horse owners ego’s by allowing those cheating trainers continued protection. You have not yet been aggressive enough, to expose them all to daylight for what they are, keep it up, hit harder
June 16th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Congratulations on a job well done, Mr. Paulick. I look forward to reading you for a long time to come. Through you we “little people” have a voice. Thank you.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Job well done, Thanks for all the enjoyable reading from you and your readers.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Thanks for being a sounding board. TRK
June 17th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
“PR” stands for “persevering and relentless.”
And that’s why you’ve succeeded.
Boy, have you embarrassed those who have taken the Easy Way Out.
Looking forward to your 2nd and 5th and 10th anniversaries!
Regards,
Don Reed
June 18th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Cheers to you, Ray, for a great first year. The Paulick Report is my first (and sometimes only) stop for racing information, since you consolidate all the important news and opinion in one place. Your in-depth and investigative pieces have contributed to my ongoing education. Keep fighting the good fight.
June 21st, 2009 at 8:48 pm
The effect of grinding away to get changes has been noticed in Canada as well as the States. Keep up the crusade. And thanks for getting some support for John Sikora.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
The groundbreaking for the new racetrack and casino at Raton,NM. was held today with an appreciation pic-nic provided by Michael Moldenhauer the project developer .
govenor Bill Richardson was on hand to help as well as the New Mexico racing Commission chairman Arnold Rael and the chair of the New Mexico Gaming Commission. Arnold spoke at length about Ratons support and how the commission was impressed that with Raton it was about the horses and Racetrack and few of the locals mentioned the casino. they especially liked that the word racino was not used always the racetrack and casino.
gov.Bill Richardson talked about the history of racing in New Mexico and how Raton was the first track and how glad he was that Raton has this new chance. With over 500 locals in attendence it was a fun event. The mayor of Raton Joe Apache presented a proclomation to mr.Willis of the racing commission for mine that birds owners. June was proclaimed Mine That Bird month in Raton earlier this month.Dr Blach and Mark Allen were unable to attend as they were out of country .Dr Blach was gracious enough to Give KCRT/KBKZ an interview earlier this week about how they plan to have a stable here when the track opens.Chip is in Kentucky preparing Mine That Bird for a planned start in the West Virginia Derby.
Eric Culver the driving force to return racing to Raton was able to attend but not participate due to being ill. Eric owned the old la mesa park and Ruidoso downs at one time. the name of La Mesa Racetrack and Casino was chosen due to history .it will be great to see LAm in the past performances of horses once more. The new location was chosen to highlight the beautiful mesas in the background.Mr.Moldenhauer promised Raton a beautiful facility.
Lory Phillips Gm. KCRT/KBKZ 1-800-791-8028