PEACE TALKS? WILLIAMS MEETS WITH HORSEMEN
By Ray Paulick
A summit meeting between the leader of the Kentucky state senate’s majority Republican Party and a group of prominent Thoroughbred owners and breeders began shortly after 3:30 p.m. in the offices of the U.S. Pony Club at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington on Tuesday afternoon. The expected subject matter was the future of Kentucky’s beleaguered signature industry and the gulf that exists between horsemen and Sen. President David Williams on the issue of VLTs or expanded gambling at state racetracks.
Williams has repeatedly used his power and influence to block slots or VLT legislation that most in the horse industry see as necessary in the wake of competition from bordering states—this despite a reported penchant for gambling at out of state casinos and riverboats that has earned Williams the nickname of “Blackjack” here at the Paulick Report (more about that later). Williams has come under fire recently from fellow Republicans in the horse community, most notably Bill Farish, general manager of Lane’s End Farm in Versailles and son of William S Farish, a close friend to former Presidents George H.W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush.
Williams met with the board of directors of the influential Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, along with representatives of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club. David Switzer, executive director of the KTA/KTOB, said the decision was made to keep it a closed meeting from the press and others in order to ensure what he called “free speech.”
Also attending the meeting was Scott County Republican Sen. Damon Thayer, a Thoroughbred industry consultant and former executive at Breeders’ Cup and Turfway Park whose silence and lack of support for VLT legislation during a special session of the legislature in June was widely criticized by individuals in the horse industry. Ed Worley (D-Richmond), the minority leader in Kentucky’s Senate, also was on hand.
As one reader pointed out in a comment, it’s curious why the Kentucky Equine Education Project was not invited to the meeting, which the KTA’s Switzer said Williams had requested two months ago.
WILLIAMS, THAYER TO INTRODUCE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Following the meeting that lasted nearly two hours the dynamic duo of Williams and Thayer (pictured, left) emerged first, telling reporters about their plans to introduce two constitutional amendments involving gambling in the 2010 legislative session. Williams spoke first, saying he was going to introduce a bill calling for a constitutional amendment to ban the expansion of gambling in Kentucky without what he called "the vote of the people".
Thayer then said he will sponsor legislation giving voters a chance to decide whether to permit VLTs in seven counties where racetracks are located. If passed, both amendments would go before voters in November 2010. If approved by a majority of Kentuckians, Thayer’s proposed constitutional amendment would then require enabling legislation and a local option vote in all seven counties, followed by a licensing approval process. He did not give a concrete date for when that entire process, which would include a bidding process and licensing of VLT facilities, could be completed.
Click here to see an outline of Thayer’s proposed constitutional amendment.
If the measure passed and VLT facilities were fully operational (they aren’t necessarily tied to racetracks in the seven counties, based on the proposal), Thayer said Kentucky owners and breeders would get $100 million annually or 25% of net revenue , whichever is higher.
Williams said he would personally oppose the constitutional amendment permitting VLTs but would not attempt to stop it from going through the Senate chamber. Both constitutional amendments would require super majority votes in the Senate (23 of 38 votes) and House (60 of 100 votes). Currently, the House is controlled by Democrats, while Williams and his fellow Republicans hold a 20-17 edge over Democrats in the Senate, with one member independent.
Legislation permitting VLTs passed the House during the special session of the legislature in June, but it was killed in a Republican controlled Senate committee, preventing the measure from getting a full vote on the Senate floor. Since the bill was killed, the Republicans lost one seat in a special election and could conceivably lose another if Republican Sen. Dan Kelly is offered and accepts a judgeship from Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear. Republicans currently control the Senate by a 20-17 edge over Democrats, with one independent.
Williams said if the VLT legislation had been passed by the Senate, "we’d be tied up in litigation" over the constitutionality of the bill. Besides, Williams said, Gov. Beshear ran on a platform that would permit Kentuckians to vote on whether to allow racetracks to offer expanded gaming. "The governor has some opportunity to show some leadership on this situation," Williams said. "It was his campaign promise that he wanted the people to decide. These two amendments, if the governor will support them, will allow the people to decide. In the intervening time, we can try to do some things to supplement the (horse racing) purses."
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Beshear issued a statement calling the proposed constitutional amendments "cynical" and "political."
When asked about the reaction of horse industry representatives to the proposals, Williams said the discussions were "spirited". Thayer added, "They were courteous."
Williams seemed defensive when asked by one reporter if he would "allow" Thayer’s amendment to be voted upon by the full Senate. "What do you mean ‘allow’?" he responded. He then said it was wrong to blame the failure of the VLT bill on one person (presumably Williams was referring to himself) and said the measure passed the House by a "skinny majority." He chided VLT supporters for calling the opponents of the measure "disingenuous, dishonest and corrupt."
Thayer said he has not heard much criticism over his lack of support for the VLT bill from his constituents in Scott County but admitted he has been criticized by members of the horse industry. He said he has been consistent in his support of a constitional amendment but said legislators have been too busy on other issues to introduce a bill calling for a constitutional amendment over the last 10 years.
"This is a horse industry protection bill," insisted Thayer. "We will have the most desirable year-round racing circuit in the country."
DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, HORSE INDUSTRY OPPOSES
Democratic Senate Floor Leader Ed Worley (pictured, left), who also attended the meeting, dismissed chances of members of his party supporting the legislation. "It ain’t gonna happen," Worley said, adding that Thayer’s constitutional amendment would be "dead on arrival." He was highly critical of Thayer for not contacting him "as a courtesy" to outline his plans for the legislation before going public with it. Worley said he had canvassed all but one member of the Democratic caucus and said none of them would support the constitutional amendments.
"What this is about is politics," Worley said. "This buys (the Republicans) time and divides the industry, and that’s what it is intended to do"–calling it a "wedge issue." Meanwhile, "the multi-billion-dollar industry" is suffering, Worley said. "The rank and file of the industry aren’t sheikhs. They don’t all have million-dollar horses."
Bill Farish said the lengthy time line for the constitutional amendment, statewide referendum, enabling legislation, local option votes and licensing process was not acceptable to a horse industry that needs more immediate help. A statewide referendum and local-option elections "give out-of-state casinos two shots to oppose" the measure, he added, saying they would spend millions in advertising in an effort to sway public opinion against VLTs at racetracks.
"We have our position and he (Williams) has his position," Farish said, though he added the horse industry will continue to seek common ground with legislators. In the meantime, he said, the industry will work to elect senators and House members who understand and support the horse industry’s position. "As an industry we are united."
It was startling to hear Farish, whose family has such longstanding, close ties to Republican Party politics, using the word "we" while discussing the horse industry’s support of Democratic candidates for state Senate and House seats. And if it’s startling to me, imagine how high-ranking Republicans like U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell feel about the manner in which Williams has alienated so many Republican Party supporters.
Don Robinson (pictured, left, with Bill Farish), the president of the KTA/KTOB, said one of the horsemen in the meeting called the presentation by Williams and Thayer "smoke and mirrors".
"By acclamation, (KTA/KTOB) supports the Senate having a full hearing of the House bill," Robinson added, He said the horse industry would have supported a constitutional amendment several years ago, but "it’s a different timetable now. We are in trouble. Mares are leaving the state. It’s too little, too late."
Thayer disagreed, saying, "It’s never too late to let the people decide."
If the VLT amendment passed and got local-option approval, the KTA’s Switzer said, it would be late 2013 or early 2014 before any revenue would find it’s way to the horse industry and state coffers. "Our backs are to the wall," he said.
WILLIAMS DENIES ANY GAMBLING TIES
A final note: I asked Williams about his cease and desist demand in the wake of recent published comments from Lebanon, Ky., attorney James Avritt Sr., which suggested Williams’ opposition to racetrack VLTs might trace to out-of-state casino companies. "Who are you?" Williams wanted to know after I said some people were interested in any personal experience with gambling he might have at out-of-state casinos. When I said I wrote for the Paulick Report, he replied, "You’re the only who’s been saying anything about that." I also asked the Senate president if his law firm has represented any casino interests. "Absolutely not," he replied.
After that exchange, I got the feeling Williams probably would not invite me to Frankfort for a tour of the state capitol or a lunch at his favorite hangout (or, for that matter, on a road trip to Indiana’s Horseshoe Casino, located just 20 minutes from downtown Louisville, Ky.). But, on the other hand, he was in hostile territory and didn’t seem to be in the best of moods when I asked about any personal interest he has in gambling.
"We’re not his friends," said KTA/KTOB president Robinson.
That might have been the understatement of the day.
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
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Tags: Bill Farish, damon thayer, david switzer, david williams, Kentucky, kentucky horse park, kentucky thoroughbred association, Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, lane's end farm, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, Republican Party, turfway park, U. S. Pony Club
October 20th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Sure KY give them slots so you line the pockets of Churchill Downs board members and the Farish family. Look at PA … the cuts etc with slots …
At least you have some heroes like Thayer et al that will debate this issue and not ram it through like the stimulus plan in Congress.
October 20th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Josh, an idiot has stolen your computer and is posting under your name. I hope you find him and get your computer back. Come to think of it I think someone stole a person named mainstream kentucky’s lap top as well. As the same idiot is posting under his name as well
Why do you think it is ok for Mr. William’s to deny even a vote on alternative gaming for Kentucky. The answer should be clear even to short bus folks like you and mainstream kentucky, ’cause it will pass.
Why do you and the coward that posts under mainstream kentucky have such a hate fetish for the Farish family. I have always thought they were nice people. Do you think that if alternative gaming continue to fail, the Farish family will go broke? Josh is your ultimate fantasy to make a call out on your pay day for a pizza to be delivered to you section 8 apartment, and Bill F. shows up in a Papa J’s uniform. I don’t think it is going to happen.
You and mainstream kentucly would have much more cred., if you would man up and post under your full names. What do you gutless cowards have to hide?
October 20th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Excellent reporting, Ron. With this proposal, Williams is saying to the horse industry: “Here is my offer. I will oppose legislation for the horse industry. I will vote to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot for next fall, but I will oppose it and do everything I can to defeat it and to defeat the horse industry.
That’s no offer at all.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Damon Thayer a hero? KTA “influential”?! Laughing out loud.
The fact that Williams and his chief lapdog opted to meet with KTA rather than KEEP speaks for itself
October 20th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Oops…pardon my typo, Ray…
October 20th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Wow, strong challenge to several by the one named Barton. I find this arguement in Kentucky fascinating when a “signature” industry can’t find a way to operate without alternative gaming subsidies. Josh confirms that PA has absolutely dropped the ball as an industry, and now the legislature is poised to continue to rediuce slot subsidies until the racing/breeding folks prove that they are worthy of the state’s financial support and kindness. I’m sure the Farish family will survive, slots or not, so presume not, and Bill Farish find a way to reduce the runaway costs associated with breeding, raising a foal and getting a horse to the races. Too many people getting wealthy along the way in this game, thus requiring Kentucucky purse levels to be so high and unachievable without state welfare payments to the horse industry in the form of slots.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
If this was a poker game the KEEP boys would be heading to the ATM or asking Tracy to spot em a couple hundred grand (more). A secret KEEP poll said 70 per cent of Kentuckians are on their side, right? Well, let the people decide or get cracking on that great legislative strategy KEEPERS. The delay is all on you, boys.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
If this was a poker game KEEPERS would be heading to the ATM or asking Tracy for a couple hundred grand more. Let the people vote or lose, boys.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Sorry, thought I was blocked out.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
We in Pa. have a great program. Josh is speaking without knowing the figures or the facts.
The purses, owners bonus, and especially breeders awards have risen tremendiously in the last two years. We have $45,000 Allowance races, $80,000 2yr maiden special races etc. Top trainers from the East coast regularly race at our three race tracks-because of the purse money-not the climate.
As of Oct leading Breeders awards-Judy Barrett $129,117-five breeders over $117,000.
Last year our program gave out $20 Million in Purses, Owners bonus and Breeders awards. Breeders awards come first.
It is true the state has taken away a small amount of that money to help balance the budget
but our program will maintain our previous years commitment because there are other slot venues yet to peak and also open.
All this is achieved from the addition of slots, not to mention the great boost it has given to agricultural employees and properties in this state.
I am not stating all this from opinion-it is stated from fact.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
If I were Williams, I would have said, look fellas, I will support your slots if you can:
Write an industry essay describing previous states’ slot version, what went wrong and what succeeded. Then go on to describe in detail how funds are distributed. This is for fans and KY citizens and it shows an effort to please your customers, which you currently grade a C.
If the NTRA can coordinate Super Saturday 2010 as described by Bill Finley in his most recent ESPN article. I know this will depend on teamwork from outside from KY, but we are KY and if we can’t lead the effort to unite and work as a team, then slots will only delay the inevitable. If you can’t do post times there really is little hope.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Faith,
Ask horseman and breeders in West Virginia, Delaware, New Mexico, Louisana, and Pa.
if slots have been good for them. Florida is the only place that has not been successful because the state’s take out is too high. West Virginia, one of their two tracks was basically closed before slots, maybe even both, because Mountaineer and Charlestown had closed and were out of buisness before slots. Delaware was on the brink of closing or had closed. It doesn’t take a politician or a smart person to figure out that slots are a temporary fix for racing and that racing will eventually have to fix itself but at least it can stay alive until it does fix itself.
October 20th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Why is KEEP so afraid of a public vote? Are they afraid the voters will not look fondly on the $1 billion bailout for Churchill Downs at the expense of taxpayers? Maybe they are afraid the voters will not support the 50,000 percent return on investment after two years for the former Magna executive at Kentucky Downs that would be funded by taxpayers.
October 20th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Ed,
Great start on the essay now dig a little deeper from both FL and the others and see how we can make it the best. Disccusions on this subject will only make KY’s plan better. I think it will sway the undecided vote, if it gets that far. Dissapointed there is no link to a plan. I guess I am missing something, its either not done or its not that important?
I guess you are assuming it will fix itself? A fix requires teamwork, what large scale operation showed teamwork. My call would be equibase many years ago. Please name another large accomplishment.in the last ten years, for my never ending faith.
I will not let the 2010 super Saturday go. I hope others won’t either.
My point i guess show some support yourself before all the loosers who play slots do.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I didn’t mean to add the last two lines, oh well lol
October 20th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Kentucky is a big state in the world of horse racing. Once the big states get slots then the little horse racing states will be the ones that falter or contract. Right now, KY horse racing wants to get back to being king of the mountain and will dominate if purses get that boost from slots. If they don’t get slots then KY’s year round circuit will disappear. Heck remember people… Churchill Downs cut dates this year too. I love how uninformed people think everyone in horse racing is filthy rich.
October 21st, 2009 at 12:00 am
Way to give him hell,Ray. He’s a crooked bastard and he knows we all know it.
October 21st, 2009 at 5:45 am
I am in PA and I agree wholeheartedly with Ed Price. Without slots, Penn National would probably be a sorry place for $1,500 claimers, Philly Park would be in similar decline and nearby Charles Town would still be shuttered. That is not to say that all things are perfect. They are not. But if you can find perfection coming out of the sausage grinder that is State politics, then you have found a rare gem indeed.
People who complain that horsemen don’t get everything they want from slots as an absolute savior should cherish them for what they do bring: stability until (or not) racing sorts out its substantial problems. As for the FL example, the wording of the legislation and the local opposition is, naturally, all important. An example of this is MD which has so poorly a written bill that even non-track financiers are struggling to get one marginal casino approved in the face of local planning opposition and a tax rate north of 67 per cent.
But to argue that the tens of millions of dollars slots which have poured into purses and breeding is a bad thing is to adopt the wacky logic of a Sen. Williams, a man whose political career, hopefully, seems to be colliding with reality.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:27 am
Imagine that, one big game of politics. I have to say, well played Williams. He wanted to stall and cover his and Damon’s heinys and it looks like it will work. When I was plugging for this bill, it was all about the const. amendment. I say work a compromise for a local ref. only and bring it to a vote.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:23 am
Here’s why Damon Thayer’s constitutional fig leaf is a non-starter.
1). It would require 23 votes in the Senate rather than 19.
2). It then requires the House, which passed a statutory approach, to reverse itself and pass a constitutional approach (requiring 60 votes), which would be politically damaging in numerous ways for the Democratic-controlled lower chamber.
3). It then requires passage in an expensive (requiring millions of dollars of horse industry funding) constititional ballot referendum.
4). A successful ballot referendum would then require a local referendum to allow gaming.
5). Following the local referendum, there would be a bidding sweepstakes for the gaming franchise with no guarantee that the racetrack would win.
6) In other words, the Thayer proposal might set up stand-alone competitors to horse race tracks in their backyards.
7). The entirety of this goat rodeo process would take many years and obviously require the industry to navigate numerous hurdles and invest what would no doubt be in excess of $10 million to ensure success at the ballot box with no guarantee that tracks would end up with the gaming franchise.
Senator Thayer’s constitutional trial balloon is a disservice to the horse industry and an insult to our intelligence He should no longer be considered a proponent for the Kentucky horse industry as it is clear he is nothing more than a water boy for Senator Williams (who will, of course, be working toward a ballot referendum that would thwart a statutory approach). Go figure.
It’s no wonder that United We Stand.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:55 am
Good summary Eagle One.
It appears that Senator Thayer has offered a proposal that is opposed by Senate Republican leadership, Senate Democratic leadership, the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader (unless he has changed his position on the issue), the Governor and a vast majority of the horse industry.
Which begs the question, who exactly supports this idea? Senator Thayer has accomplished the impossible by bringing together these disparate groups in unanimous opposition to his proposal. Way to build a consensus Senator Thayer!
October 21st, 2009 at 9:42 am
Well stated, Eagle One. On point #7 though, out of state casinos would spend close to $100m to defeat the amendment, as they did in Ohio, and if it passed, would then spend wildly on each local option vote. Senator Thayer says he has not heard any negatives on his position this from his constituents; what rock is he living under?
We are united, we will stay united
Senators Williams and Thayer are very worried about our unity and that is why they came to visit yesterday. This issue, though, is not just about the horse industry. It is about jobs. It is about our economy. It is about simply doing what 37 other states have done to improve their state budgets. This is not a failed idea, as they would have you believe, it is an idea that has been working for over 15 years in some states. Our state has the added benefit of having the horse industry headquartered here. The industry is responsible for employing over 100,000 people and creating an economic impact of over $4 billion. These are jobs that span the ecomonic spectrum. Blacksmiths, grooms, veterinarians, racetrack employees, feed companies, real estate agents, bloodstock agents, insurance agents etc. etc. This industry, like any other, must take control of its own future. We must play the game of politics that every other industry does. We must work to elect those that will be supportive and defeat those thet will not.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:43 am
Wow all the name calling here — that will solve the problem of racing in the US …
I have some questions for our friends like Rick Barton:
How much is the NTRA paying its commissioner/czar?
How much is Greg Avioli getting at the Breeders Cup?
How much is former Gov. Tommy Thompson getting for his integrity project?
All the industry knows how to do is throw good money down the drain …
What has the NTRA ever done on Capitol Hill without the help of the 2 KY Senators? Nothing.
What has the Breeders Cup done to excite racing fans? Nothing. The major development recently was giving Santa Anita the Cup two times. Well that worked out well. Rachel Alexandra one of the best horses in the world won’t even run on that day. You give the Cup to a track owner who has failed in the last 10 years to turn around the sport???!!!!
You spend millions on a racing integrity program — and you have horses juiced at every race track in America — Wow.
I wonder why the average person will go pick pumpkins on Breeders Cup day instead of watch the races.
Rome is buring, Kids!
October 21st, 2009 at 10:46 am
Josh (last name unknown): Let’s get one thing straight, you and I aren’t friends.
GA makes good money working at the BC. And he is worth it
If were up to me, I would not have hired Tommy T. from cheesehead land to do anything for racing, and if I was calling the shots at NYRA several years ago, I would not have hired Rudy G. to look into the problems at NYRA.. Live and learn.
Call me a name caller all you want, but I sit and read what is posted by folks hiding under screen names, as you attack good people that are trying to help promote the industry in Kentucky , and it makes me sick.
And don’t think I am a shill for the Farish family, as no body in the Farish family could pick me out of a two man line up. I don’t think I have ever been to Lane’s End.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:38 am
No offense to Messrs. Price and Beaton, but racing in Pennsylvania shouldn’t even exist. Your state was a late-comer to the pari-mutuel sport in the latter half of the past century and contributed to the destruction of the high quality, seasonal product offered in New Jersey and Delaware. Your rich folk could still have owned a few farms within the state and raced elsewhere (like the Virginians) but your predecessors thought they saw a cash cow and upset the apple cart. Way to go, thanks for trashing the sport north of the Mason-Dixon and south of NYC. Instead of high-end seasonal racing in NJ and DE, we’ve had a year-long factory product spewing from Philly Park and Penn National simultaneously for decades.
I feel all warm and fuzzy in February watching the prized steeds do battle in Bensalem when it’s 20 degrees then tune back a few hours later to watch them go at in Grantsville when the mercury falls to 5. Mori, Levy, Iselin and Ross must have been absolute idiots not to see the aethestic and commercial appeal of operating when their infield lakes were solid ice and the whiskers of the Thoroughbreds all frosty as they run down the stretch on the powdery loam. Who ever needed to see champions run on warm, sunny days next door and fight crowds of 30,000? A backstretch full of $5k claimers running for $50,000 and my only competition for a view being a little old lady looking for a nickel machine who took a wrong turn leaving the bathroom…priceless.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:38 am
Mr. Farish:
I understand your personal situation (somewhat) and the greater concern that is the dilema of KY racing and US racing (much better understanding). But honestly Sir, if you can’t get these “NOBODIES” in line at the premier TB industry home that is known as the Bluegrass State, how the hell can comments from Paulick (some just plain irrelevant) solve your short term problems of slots and the long term problem that is the survival of the North American Racing Industry?
I wish you the best. But Sir, if this industry can’t devise a national solution that so much relies on Federal regulation, you are doomed to state by state fights to include track owner/signal rights holders. BTW, just exactly (without revealing the behind the scenes efforts) have those steller Feds like McConnell and Whitfield done for you and the industry lately?…take your situation away from the state(s), if you can devise a way. And yes, the constitutional amendment is nothing more thana death, stall, DOA tactic. Ask me….I’ve watched Congress screw American Equines out of a humane death for many years. But that is a topic for another day.
You and your peers just can’t be that unresourceful.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:48 am
When we give a power hungry, publicity seeking, ego maniac (Williams) a reason and an opportunity to be center stage and get lots of press coverage we have played into his hand.
The purpose of KEEP, lest we all forget, was to communicate with the grass roots voters to explain the value of the horse business to Kentucky. I don’t think that mission was ever completed, and regardless how you feel about the sad state of the horse business consider this scenereo: Urgent Press Release #1 pointing out our terrible economic calamity: that the average price of a yearling in the first 4 days of the Keeneland sale, is off 32% to an average price of only a $167,368. Repeat, (only $167,368) for a horse, and that is the average price for 703 of them! This publicity is not likely to engender much sympathy in the voting community. Imagine how ridiculous that looks to someone in good old Burkesville, KY (home of David Williams) where the median HH income is $17,209 and the average house is worth $ 42,000. Oh how we shoot ourself in the foot. Can’t anyone control the Keeneland PR department?
We must win the battle in the hearts of the non-horse public, inorder to make Williams position “out of step” with the feelings of the masses. KEEP had years to do this but lost its way and went for the quick kill.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:57 am
Patrick:
The answer is tooo much product spread over tooo many divested, yet racing related entities. Without a central regulating authority with the cooperation of the Feds that own air/internet space, the industry will continue to be disjointed, lack unformity and take outs at betting and/or track and internet/phone wagering facilties muddled by localities, states and Feds PLUS industry running amuk operators will maintain the disfunction at the horse racing junction. PA ain’t the problem (unless you live and race in VA and MD). It is an example of the short-sightedness of the national industry in favor of so-called entrepeneurs (capitalism). Before I get flamed, I’m not a socialist either. But everybody doing their own thing in the name of enterprise and capitalism has to start to be checked. If the industry doesn’t start to do this, it will either die or get the Feds involved. And who wants them?!
October 21st, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Concerned Observer:
I’m not familar with the KY Senate Majority election process, but Mr. Williams was elected by a specfic district and somehow found the leadership position in the state’s elected body. It certainly doesn’t make him the voice of Kentuckians…but how many Americans are ticked off about Pelosi and Reid?…still a mystery to me AND I vote.
October 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Racing must change drastically, with or without racinos. That means no drugs and cut racing in half. Just imagine what that would do to owners’ training and vet bills and to purses.
Is the KY racing industry working at least as hard at eliminating its problems as it is chasing VLT dollars? No
Are racetracks and horsemen groups within racino states busy investing their VLT dollars wisely by cutting drugs, cheating and promoting equine safety in order to boosting quality and integrity to be much stronger and popular when their VLT dollars will be yanked? No, they are spending like drunken sailors and promoting cheap racing with purses 3, 4 and even 5 times richer than claiming tags, year around.
October 21st, 2009 at 12:38 pm
To Concerned Observer (#27)
My advice is don’t be too concerned about KEEP. They have clearly NOT lost their way. In fact, to those who know the art of politics, they are omni-present and clearly on top of things.
Case-in-point — Why did Senator Williams come to the Horse Park yesterday to allegedly smoke the peace pipe?
Case-in-point #2 — why did Democrats prevail in a State Senate contest in a district that went for McCain and in the face of an Obama backlash in Kentucky?
Case-in-Point #3 —
Did Bill Farish not pre-empt the abortive Williams/Thayer missive with his “Constitutional Cop-out” first strike.
Stay tuned and relax.
October 21st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
With today’s cellphone technology it would easy enough to get a picture of Williams at an Indiana casino. Just show “Blackjack” Williams the picture and then ask him to explain his opposition to expanded gaming in Kentucky. How many politicians run for office with the expectation that the job salary is the only financial renumeration they will receive? Very few I suspect.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:04 pm
To Frankfort Furlong,
Thanks, You made my point exactly. Instead of building support for the horse industry among the voters across the state, KEEP is in Frankfort trying to manipulate politics as usual. That was not the KEEP we originally supported and signed up for.
The influencial horse big wigs will never understand the total distain the man in the street has for rich horse owners, and rich people in general. That gives Dave Williams a huge power base. The populus does not understand that when they punish the rich, the blue collar workers get trampled too. Explaining that was KEEP’s mandate, which they forgot all too soon.
I’m waiting for KEEP to say “Let them eat cake”
October 21st, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Concerned, I am not really sure where you are coming from. Just this year I have heard several weeks worth of radio advertising from KEEP talking about exactly what you are talking about, that the industry is made up of thousands of hard working, blue collar Kentuckians. I also received several pieces of mail from KEEP hitting on the same themes. A person from KEEP even spoke at our local Rotary a few months back talking about the industry. And since I am on their email list, I constantly get updates and newsletters from them. I think they even did a huge petition drive, didn’t they?
So short of renting out a skywriter, I can’t see where you could reasonably say that KEEP is not actively building support across the state for the horse industry. Do you think that the overwhelming support for VLT’s across the state happened by magic? It happened because KEEP has been talking ad naseum about 100,00 jobs and the importance of the industry. That message has obviously resonated.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Concerned Observer:
Actually, at last count, it is my understanding that KEEP has something like 13,000 members across the Commonwealth (hardly an elitist organization). It’s a raging success BECAUSE of the their grassroots members and I don’t think they’ll be doing a full Marie Antoinette anytime soon.
Chill out and stand down.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Why are some concerned with getting everyone’s first and last name? Are you going to send a hit man to visit someone you don’t agree with. I use my screen-name because I really did give my life to racing. I worked 70 plus hours a week at racetracks for 20 years. No vacations, no social life, just eat and sleep racing. I spent the last 1 1/2 years crawling thru attics to put food on the table after losing my racing job. More people will suffer the same demise and slots won’t cure it. It is a short-term solution. These debates need to be on “how can racing help racing” or “how can we use this handout to help racing help racing”? How have slots fueled purses helped the sport as a whole? They haven’t, they have kept the owners and breeders’ in business, which I think is great. But handle continues to drop at rapid rates, even at the slots tracks. Unless racetracks can find a way to support themselves, believe me the handouts won’t last forever, and the casino operators buying racetracks will drop the racing product like a bad habit. Right now, running races is just a necessary evil for the casino folks to get a license. I’m in favor of slots at racetracks, but my point is, it is a nice band-aid, but no answer to what we all know is a serious issue for our beloved sport. For some good reading try Tom Lamarra’s recent blog. PS. My name is Ryan Driscoll and nobody loves racing more than me.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Frankfort Furlong,
You win. Only your opinion counts. That is why the industry is doing so well.
I’ll chill out and checkout.
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Until this industry uniformly unites, sets aside their independent beefs, does a better job of insuring quality of life issues for horses, jocks, backstretch workers, owners, breeders, sales, drugs AND bettors….AND everyone agrees to go along to get along, this industry is going (and is) to be nothing more than one podunk, locality turf war one after another. Make a racing commissioner with some awesome powers (that the big players obviously don’t want) or you are reduced to fighting for scraps in an atrocious economic climate regarding a sport that is absolutely lost on the masses today. Unite and fight…divided you die, little by little.
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
D. Masters, and that’s exactly why the breeders and track owners so want slots. To take a fat cut and screw everyone else. Too bad their poltical smarts suck like Hoovers. Here’s a clue, boys, slots today, full bore casinos down the road with a new legislature and new “partners” Get out of your own way and let the people vote!!! Or, lose again.
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Bak Trakker:
Well, that’s why I made my points the way I did. I’m not so sure they completely suck. I think they are protecting their piece of pie in this food fight for slots, which really is a fight for the survival of this industry in the long run (not slots per se, but the power that this industry can or cannot throw around in search of a level playing field). And if the Farish’s and other top level players don’t agree a National Commissioner and relinquishing some of their pseudopower is not in their best interest of the game (if they really care about RACING)…then I’ll say it again…..they are screwed. Because the average American and now, politicians could give a crap less about the race game. Don’t believe me folks? Ask how it’s going in KY (and I’m not talking about the jelly). If KY racing powerhouses think they are getting the shaft with no ear for support, how can the lower level players or the industry as a whole for that matter make an impact. As to the casino thing, that’s going on every where with or without racing. When the Feds and the States decided it was better to jump on the cash cow that was tobacco lawsuits as opposed to protecting the tobacco companies and growers, the US entered a new world of political involvement…not that I support smoking. But seriously, a bizzillion decades of protection and sloppy government oversight and now the smokers aren’t to blame and the companies are evil???? Please! Very few powers of industry involved in racing these days…thank you rising costs and syndication plus IRS. No more Widener’s, DuPonts, Whitney’s, Riddle’s like the turn of the Century through the 60’s. Those days are gone. The only thing close to it is the Sheiks…and many bitch about that too.
For God’s sake…we can’t even get this industry to uniformly agree as to what or what is not a humane death for a racehorse!