PHOENIX TRACK NO PARADISE
By Ray Paulick
Driving from Kentucky to California for the Breeders’ Cup and stopping at racetracks along the way to raise money for the Breeders’ Cup Charities to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and The V Foundation for Cancer Research has been a terrific experience.
For starters, I got to go to a couple of racetracks I’d never been to before (Zia Park, Turf Paradise) and revisited two others I hadn’t been to in some time. There were a couple of unscheduled stops: Indiana Downs (though the live racing program was finished for the night) and Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma for some simulcast betting.
One thing that stood out is that racetracks with slot machines—Indiana Downs, Will Rogers Downs, Remington Park, Zia Park—are thriving, and those without, Hawthorne, Turf Paradise and Santa Anita, where we will arrive on Thursday—are struggling.
Keeneland, where the BREEDERS’ CUP OR BUST fundraising drive kicked off last Wednesday, is in a separate category, since a significant portion of purse money comes from auction commissions. But with sales down significantly this year, Keeneland will be hard-pressed to sustain its purse levels in 2010.
Brad Cummings, my partner in the Paulick Report, handled many of the logistics for the journey, working with track marketing departments to set up promotions (jockeys autographing Breeders’ Cup caps, handicapping contests, etc.), and he was pleased with how most of the tracks responded to the fundraising effort. The tracks did not have much time to plan, since this idea came to us only a few weeks ago, so any level of participation was much appreciated.
It was great to see that the willing participation of the tracks to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund went over big with many members of the local jockey colonies we met. A common theme at every stop was a feeling by jockeys that they’ve been abandoned to some extent by the racetracks and the racing industry, especially when they are injured. So it was heartening to them to see the tracks promoting their cause.
The only track we visited that showed no interest in helping raise money for the two charities was Turf Paradise. At our earlier stops on the drive, we were warned by horsemen and others who had previous experience with the Phoenix, Ariz., track not to expect too much in the way of promotions or cooperation.
Much to our dismay, they were right. Track management didn’t return numerous phone calls we made to them and ultimately did nothing to promote the two charities. The track was virtually empty for our Tuesday visit, and I’m really not surprised. If the fans are treated with the same indifference we felt, they’re going to find somewhere else to spend their entertainment or gambling dollars.
It’s too bad. Phoenix is a major league sports market, the racetrack is attractive, and many retirees (perfect for racing’s older demographic) winter in the area. The employees we dealt with were cheerful and helpful, but management certainly left a lot to be desired.
The one thing Turf Paradise did for us was buy us lunch. After the day was over, though we decided they probably need the money more than we do. We’ll be sending a check to Turf Paradise to cover the cost of the lunch.
Just remember, if you start to hear the folks from Turf Paradise complain about economic hardships due to tough times, know that is only part of the truth. In economic climates of all shapes and sizes, good business generally gets rewarded. When an opportunity to help a good cause falls into a racetrack’s lap and they don’t seize on it in any way, it’s indicative of a greater problem. Racetracks that operate likeTurf Paradise need to reassess their priorities if they want to find success in our industry.
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
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Tags: Breeders' Cup Charities, breeders' cup or bust, Paulick Report, permanently disabled jockeys fund, Ray Paulick, turf paradise, v foundation
November 4th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
And to top this whole sordid mess off, Turf Paradise management is denying Arizona trainers stalls when they have short fields and empty stalls. They have some little personal petty grudge against you and you’re out!! Tax paying residents of Az. denied access to the track. No help from the Racing Commission in this regard either. Management doesn’t have time to contribute to anything, they are too busy draining every cent they can from the horsemen. They have, with HBPA’s consent ,screwed the horsemen to death for years. Everything you stated Paulick ,has been discussed for years . All to a brick wall. Turf deserves to go down and the horsemen will be far better off when forced to move on to tracks that have figured out, it’s a partnership. Not a dictatorship.
November 4th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
WHAT A BUNCH OF LOSERS,
THE WORST PART IS THEY WILL READ THIS AND BE WAITING AT THE MAILBOX FOR YOUR CHECK!
November 4th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Ray - I’ve lived in Phoenix for over 40 years and the back stretch looks exactly the same as in 1970.
The track’s focus is definitely NOT on the horsemen. I’ve even owned and ran horses…it just does not matter; thy could care less. Even the cheapo track kitchen was closed down by the health department and I guarantee they’ll not spen one dimw to fix it. Oh…lets not even talk about the electrical mess. The back gate is powered by a Honda generator. Oh well…
November 4th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
The fact that Turf Paradise is still open fascinates me. The owner and management are a disgrace. They always have been and always will be. The employees and horsemen are all in all wonderful people. But they cannot do it alone. Great observations as always Ray.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Well, it coulda been worse. They could be doing well & then shunned the cause.
Here’s The Ultimate Insult:
Red Barber [1908-1992; Reds, Dodgers, & Yankees radio & TV reporter] was instrumental in bringing together the Dodgers & NBC management for the first televised baseball game.
Today, networks & cable stations pay big bucks for broadcast rights, but in 1939, that was all very far away, in the future.
No money exchanged hands. NBC - prompted, not spontaneously - gave the Dodgers a “receiving” TV set, installed in their press room. And that was it.
“Red did not go completely empty-handed for his work that day, but…NBC was no more generous in the Sarnoff days than it is in its current General Electric reincarnation [in 1993; & - I can personally say, in the post-Sarnoff, pre-GE era, between 1980-1984].
“Red knew TV was the future…so he asked NBC for a memento of the historic event. NBC sent a small, silver cigarette box with an [engraved] inscription:
‘To Red Barber
Pioneer Television Sports Announcer
In grateful appreciation
National Broadcasting Company
August 26, 1939.’
“Accompanying the box was a bill for thirty-five dollars.”
(”Fridays with Red,” by Bob Edwards, 1993; p. 82.)
So, count your blessings - that the Turf Paradise management didn’t hand you a going-away present, on your way out the door.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Take a look around. I think most racetrack management is oblivious to the fans, yet they whine about declining numbers. They all seem to want a quick fix (slot machines) which is merely band-aid relief when major surgery is needed. Most of them couldn’t lead a one horse parade, much less run a successful and imaginative racing enterprise. If racetrack managers want to know the reason for our current predicament, all they have to do is take a look in the mirror.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
So Ray, are you saying when the horseman at Turf try to make things better by making suggestions concerning just what you wrote about, that they’re not just a bunch of whining, crying, horsemen? That just maybe!! They have legitimate concerns?? And that when management keeps demanding more and more from the horsemen, it seems maybe management doesn’t use what they extort in a way that benefits the racing program? Just theirselves? Reminds me of that song, “You Should Have Seen It In Color.”
November 4th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
As a caretaker for Stacy Burton (an AZ native) who is a permanently disabled jockey that road at Turf Paradise back in 1999-2000, I am embarrassed, sad, & frustrated by this impression left upon Mr. Paulick. I have talked to several jockeys, trainers, and & owners. No one knew anything about his good cause for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer & the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund. What a shame! There is so much love, compassion & generosity on the back side and with all of the Turf Paradise workers throughout the track. If they would have known there was anything going on, I guarantee, they would have done everything they could to donate to this benefit. All I can say is how sad.
Stacy & I are now horse owners & breeders. We have experienced some of the politics and problems due to the various organizations that govern things here in AZ racing. We are not on the track very frequently, so we receive very little information from the organizations. It is as if there is no use of technology via email or the good ol’ USPS. All I have learned in my short time is that everyone is frustrated; they accept it by saying “it’s AZ racing”; and everyone knows that the projected intentions to everyone is for the track to go down. Again, how very sad in a market that could be wonderful based on our beautiful winters & the wonderful people all around.
As Mr. Paulick has stated, it is a shame. It is a beautiful track with so many outstanding people. Thanks to Mr. Paulick for your effort to include Turf Paradise, even though people had warned you. Please don’t let it influence your overall feelings about AZ. There are many of us that care!
November 4th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
You would be amazed what goes on at Turf Paradise. Management treats horsemen with NO respect. They figure WE OWE THEM.. I have been going to Turf for about 12 yrs. Their policy is that you have to earn your stalls the previous year by the number of starts you have per stall. For the amount of horses that I take to Turf I do well…But, they take your stalls away and give them to people that have never been there before. How did they earn their stalls???? You try and keep your barn clean but they will not do any maintenance or clean up at the ends of the barns. Your pathway to the track for training is full of HUGE potholes they have been asked to fill in and they won’t. Good thing the barns are cement or they would have burned down with your horses along time ago. The person above is absolutely correct about the electricity situation. I do not know how they are allowed not to be up to code. If it was possible for us to be elsewhere; we would be. But the weather is great for winter racing. I could tell you things that would make your hair stand on end about management, stewards and the racing commission but there is not enough room or time. All the horsemen would love for someone else to own Turf. They white wash you till you get there and then stab you in the back. Oh well, I guess its like fighting city hall. I have never heard of management collecting money from feed companies in order for them to come in and supply the horsemen with feed supplies. All others at other tracks have to do is get a vendor’s license.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:14 am
where is the NTRA???
November 5th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Yee-gads! Who owns TP? Sounds like a disaster and the only ones they are ripping off are the horsemen????…who bring their horses????…that provide the race along with the jocks in the first place???? Geeze Loueeze! Talk about experiencing the highs and lows of the race game on your trip! Maybe you should put some type of “Goofus and Gallant” cartoon among you updates. Isn’t TP considered a “c, d-level” track?
Happy mortoring!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I find this very surprising in light of TVG’s support of your cause. Eugene Joyce, Turf Paradise’s President and GM, is the brother of TVG talking head Mike Joyce. Let me correct myself, I don’t find this at all surprising.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Ray you are correct in your assessment of Turf Paradise. Its been a longtime problem, but it has worsened under the current ownership. I would recommend reading the ‘06 investigative report on Mr. Simms prepared by an investigator of the department of gaming. The industry in this city and state is held hostage. It is a class 6 felony in this state to wager via the internet firms so you must go to an otb or the track even to wager out of state.
And there does not appear to be a happy outcome. If you express criticism, expect retaliation. It is a regime that apparently can’t be ousted, and everyone suffers the consequences. How nice it would be to have better.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
TP is one of those tracks where the cons and wise guys experiment regarding what they can get away with. it may be some concoction meant to make horses go faster or some illegal betting scheme meant to go undetected. Just read between the lines…….
November 5th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Years ago when I had horses at Turf Paradise I was visiting in the Seattle area and made a stopover at Longacres (Doo Dah). I found the track publicity guy and showed him my Arizona Credentials and asked if I could get a table in the turf club for a party of four for the day (I was willing to pay). He said, “Turf Paradise…..where’s that again?” No table either!
The other thing with Turf Paradise is that this is the outfit that got the Arizona politicians to put together a bill (passed two years ago) that MAKES IT A FELONY TO BET WITH AN ADW. I’m willing to bet that TUP won’t be a stop on your drive back to Kentucky.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I keep checking in here to see if ole’ Eugene or Jerry have a comment to make to redeem theirselves from looking like Scrooge!!! I should know better than to waste my time tho.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Simms is a contempible, wig wearing, cheapskate. He grinds everybody down to a nub. For Simms tp snub Ray Paulick, and deny the Disabled Jockeys a donation is disgraceful.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Eugene seems like a good guy.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Completely shocking. lol
The whole operation there at TP is second rate. Sorry to hear that Ray.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Not to go against the grain here but isn’t it possible that the PR person at TuP just dropped the ball. As stated this was a short notice thing. Another possibility is that TuP has no PR person. A track with no casino has limited resources, and if there’s nobody to coordniate promotions it’s extremely difficult to have one. Also during a live race meet any track is going to be very hard pressed for time.
Anyway all the ripping does nothing for the PDJF. I’ve given have you? If not then your’re no better than the management at TuP and shame on you.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Dear Mr. Paulick,
I am perplexed by the posting on your blog of, “Phoenix Track No Paradise.”
You called us, explained your mission, described what you would like to do and we came up with a plan to raise money for your cause, to which you agreed.
You showed up at Turf Paradise when the fourth race was in post parade. You were introduced to track handicapper Howard Hong, who was to provide advice in your endeavor. You and Mr. Hong were to go on TV, where your cause would have been exposed to those at our 55 in-state OTB sites and to those at our 2,000 out-of-state OTBs.
You then told me you were going to interview former rider Stacy Burton, have lunch and then return to join Mr. Hong and begin to handicap, wager and raise money for your cause. For whatever the reason, without a word to us, you did not return.
At no time did you ask me (Turf Paradise) for a donation. Had you done so, I would have made the request to track owner Jerry Simms, who I know would have granted your request, since it is a worthwhile cause. Nor did you ask to be introduced to Mr. Simms to make your request personally.
Here’s the pity: Mr. Hong had a stellar day handicapping on Tuesday, November 10, the day of your visit. Mr. Hong selected 6 exactas, 4 trifectas and 2 superfectas, on the 9-race card. Thus, an opportunity to raise money for your cause was lost.
I am at a loss for words, except for those words that ask what motivated you to write such unkind words about a track I’ve been associated with for nearly 20 years.
We extend an invitation for you to return to Turf Paradise in early spring, when the snowbirds are in town and the track is full of people, to raise money for your worthwhile cause.
Sincerely,
Vincent Francia
Director of Marketing & Media Communications
November 6th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Oh, Vince, there you go again! Lying like a rug!
You are a perfect JERRY SIMMS apologist..a perfect sycophant!
For those of you who don’t know, Vince is the PR guy for Jerry Simms, and his job is to “spin” the facts for his cheap boss!
Vince, NOBODY believes you, as you are a “goon” for Jerry Simms, and will say or do whatever it takes to protect your paycheck.
I don’t blame you, we all have to eat.
IF SIMMS were smart, he would admit his mistake, apologise to Ray for the slight, and send a generous check for the Disabled Jockeys Fund.
But, instead, he send YOU out to make a weasel worded, weak excuse, which makes the Racing world think less of you.
Vince, your lack of candor and honesty is NOT attractive.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
OK, so I was wrong when I wrote that TuP has no PR guy. But I was right that this bickering is a disservice to the PDJF! Now that I’ve seen both sides of the story it looks like there was a lot of miscommunication.
I think is best that Ray and Jerry sit down like gentlemen and iron things out. This is tainting what otherwise is a nice story about horseracing taking care of its own.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I don’t think Mr.paulick went there exclusively to raise donations from “other patrons” etc. I think he went there to hopefully have TURF PARADISE itself offer a donation. Vince sounds like they were just offering the use of their facility to Paulick. Kinda like, “We aren’t going to give anything, but if you want to sit here and use our facility, go ahead.” The very fact he spent the afternoon with a prime example of what his fund raising is about ,when no one from management probably even noticed she was there tells what Turf is all abut. There is nothing management and it’s henchmen can do at this pint to make up for the gaff. All of us that are there and have been there, lo this long last 6 or 7 years know all about this scenario. It is repeated daily. BTW, when it comes down to believing who’s telling the truth, I’m going with Paulick. If he says his phone calls were repeatedly unanswered, there’s your problem. “If we don’t answer, maybe he’ll go away.” He didn’t .
November 6th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
VInce Franica is an obesequious stranger to the truth.
Vince is short little guy, with a shorter memory.
Vince is a puppet.
Vince wouldn’t know the truth if it bit him in his skinny behind.
Eugene Joyce is ALSO a puppet.
Eugene is a big drinker and loves the gamble. In fact, some have said he has a problem.
Eugene…admit it. Your boss is a disgrace and miser, who has embarassed all of racing.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Seems like the truth about the treatment of Arizona horsemen may come out after all.
There is No Avenue of Relief for horsemen. No support from Stewards, Department of Racing, or the Commission. Anything goes. If horsemen don’t like the treatment, they are invited ( ordered) to leave as quickly as possible Bad tests? No problem, get a stay. Just don’t diasgree with management or ask for a clean safe barn area.
Shine a light into every corner and you will be amazed at what you find.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Maybe we could “PASS THE BOOT” and buy Eugene and Jerry computers so they would know who Mr. Ray Paulick is and what he does for a living!
If only one of them had a relative at TVG, one of Paulick Report’s sponsors, that could have given them a head’s up!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Any cause worth supporting is worth supporting because it’s the right and decent thing to do. It shouldn’t be because of bad PR (which now is what a TuP contribution will look like).
That said, it also shouldn’t be because of guilt, Mr. Paulick.
I like your blog, your insights are always certainly welcome regarding an everchanging industry. That said, what exactly did this blog post prove? That you’ll shame people and tracks into doing what they should be doing in the first place? Or that it’s an ego thing, of “I’m doing the right thing, but I’ll do whatever I must in order to get what I want?
I won’t defend TuP on this, because somewhere, someone dropped the ball on this. But all the griping in this post has about how you’re doing something good (and you are), and about who is and isn’t cooperating with you—it’s beneath you.
TuP is clearly not in the right by not helping your cause, because it IS the right thing to do. But as a racing fan, I’m not letting you off the hook here, Mr. Paulick. You’re a gentleman in the sport, but this post doesn’t show you acting gentlemanly. Private affairs, even one of charity, deservate to be handled privately. The right thing to do should be done because it is the right thing, not out of good PR on a racetrack getting hammered, and certainly not through publicly arm-twisting a track because they didn’t give you the help you desired.
I’m not a TuP shill. I’m not a racing critic, and I’m not out to start trouble. I’m just concerned a good cause gets overshadowed by an unwitting battle of egos for which NOBODY wins.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I don’t think Tony is correct. I see Mr. Paulick’s article as an honest, well written review of a racetrack he visited on his fund raising trip across the country. I do not see anywhere in the article an attempt to “shame” Turf management into donating. He wrote wonderful reviews about the racetracks that embraced his efforts. He wrote an honest artilcle about a track that chose to ignore his efforts.
He experienced a small portion of the daily treatment people endure.
If his intent was to shame Turf, it would not have been successful, TURF HAS NO SHAME.
November 7th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Стоит задуматься, пишите еще =)
November 7th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
No 29 comment. Perfect buddy, absolutely perfect. TURF HAS NO SHAME. I can see the bumper stickers now.
November 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
It is, indeed, ironic, that on Breeders day 2009, our Super Bowl of racing, we are taling about an owner like Jerry Simms.
Simms is a disease, and is bad for the sport.
Jockeys give all they have and are an integral part of the game.
Simms brags to his poker buddies that he is good friends with many major jockeys.
One must wonder if they know Simms is a stiff.
November 7th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Hey “TONY”..you sure sound like a SIMMS shill. In fact, you sound like a guy who is not sure of anything.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Horsemen, we have a signed contract with Turf Paradise. The HBPA agreed to revisit the OTB’S in an effort to enhance purse money.
The HBPA accepted the Turf Paradise proposal in totality, with the exception of the number of years; Turf asked for twelve years HBPA agreed to five and specified the number of OTB sites to be opened each year. Turf turned it down.
Here is the proposal rejected by the Track:
At the AHBPA Board meeting on October 31st, your Board voted to extend an offer to Turf Paradise to modify the OTB program to address the underperforming OTB’S and, since it has been two years since a new OTB has been opened, inject some incentive into developing new OTB’S. The proposal would have given Turf Paradise a 60/40 split on all OTB’s for the first $3000 and 50/50 thereafter and a 60/40 split on new OTB’s on the first $4000 and 50/50 thereafter. For the anticipated nighttime OTB’s, the Track was to receive a 60/40 split. This contract could extend up to five years provided the Track opened twenty-five OTB’s over the life of the contract at a rate of five for each year of the contract. As before, the Track would continue to receive $400,000 for advertising expenses for each year of the contract. The Track has rejected this proposal. As a result, our contract will remain as is 50/50 on all OTB’s and $400,000 to the Track for OTB advertising.
We do not need a purse cut. We can accelerate the TVG money, but the track will not agree. In fact, the $350,000 tagged for 2009 has not been put in purse account yet.
The economy is down, but we have 300 empty stalls as of November 7th; we are running six horse fields with trainers and owners still on hold. No new OTB’s have opened since 2006.
Horsemen, any time you have questions stop in the Office or call.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Race Rider:
Why are Simms and Joyce acting like that?
November 7th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
$400,000 for advertising?????!!!!!!!
November 7th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Clicked send too soon. Maybe a couple hundred of that could have gone to the charity for disabled riders and provided some GOOD publicity!!! I would like to see an accounting of how the last $400,000 was spent before I forked over another $400,000. I don’t think I”ve seen $400,000 worth of advertising in the last 5+ years I’ve been here!!!
November 7th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I am told that Race Rider is wrong about the HBPA contract.
I am told, by an HBPA member, that the new contract is simply a two year extension of the old agreement.
In addition, I am told, there is also s caveat regarding Old timer Walter Boehm getting 3 stalls.
I go to an OTB in Scottsdale, and the betting machines are old, outdated and constantly in disrepair.
I also believe VInce Francia is a decent fellow, who is in a trick box.
THE TURF GURU
November 7th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Hey! I didn’t write that deal, that is a bulletin they were passing all over the barn area this am. I just reposted it, didn’t edit it If you were at an otb guess you didn’t get one.
I did hear there is fixing to be a major purse cut but didn’t see that in writing.
You are right about the condition of the machines and wrong about the other.
November 7th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
They don’t need money for advertising,
The Paulick Report gave them a million dollars worth of advertising for free!
November 7th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
ALL BULL ASIDE, IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR RACING.
SMALL MINDED PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS BEHAVE IN A SMALL MANNER.
THEY WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING BUT SMALL AND PETTY, SO WE NEED TO MOVE ON AND THINK ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE AND PROMOTE OUR SPORT, AND TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO GIVE THEIR ALL.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
If there are 300 empty stalls why is my trainer still on hold and at a farm?
November 7th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Turf Rider, thanks for the info.
Bloodstock, I agree. SIMMS needs to give the Disabled Jockeys a generous donation, apolgize, and move on. It is the right thing to do.
I have learned that the HBPA and SIMMS and his puppet Joyce are off base.
Just look at “Scottsdale horseowner”, in the post above.
Why doesnt he/she have stalls, when the stalls ARE available, and they are running short fields?
I was told that Pinkie SMith’s kid, despite his anger issues, is issued stalls at the best barn location, and that Simms and Puppet (Joyce) do it to mollify Pinkie.
GURU
November 7th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
What do you mean move on and promote and improve the sport? They just gave Simms $400,000 to do that!!!! That was the horsemen’s part of promoting and improving. Trouble is they’re depending on somebody else to do it with THEIR MONEY!! Maybe they should try using the $400,000 to hire their own promotion company.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Saddle up…VERY good point. Simms is a one way greedy, selfish man. This is a creep, who yells at folks over a light bulb, and refuses to give a DIME to The Disabled Jockeys.
I am so uplifted over the outrage everybody is showing over SIMMS’ greedy conduct.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
We were wrong regarding Eugene Joyce’s drinking. Eugene is NOT a drunk.
But, he IS a large gambler.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I BELIEVE I DID NOT MAKE MY SELF CLEAR. I DO NOT RACE THERE, BUT CONSIGN MANY HORSES TO THE ATBA FALL SALE AND THEREFORE TRY TO FOLLOW THE GRADUATES OF THAT SALE CLOSELY.
I WAS REFERING TO THE SPORT OVERALL , NOT TURF PARADISE.
IT SEEMS TO ME, TURF IS DOOMED. ANY RACETRACK THAT HAS THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AND NUMBER OF DAYS TURF PARADISE HAS AND YET HAS SMALL FIELDS OF INFERIOR HORSES AND THE SCANDELS WE HAVE ALL READ ABOUT, J.EVANS -BAD TESTS, B. BAINUM- BAD TESTS, K.BENNETT-BAD TESTS, M. WELSH- BAD TESTS, T. SMITH-?, EMBEZZELMENT OF FUNDS BY A HORSEMEN’S BOOKEEPER (GOING TO TRIAL SOON), HORSEMEN THAT ARE SO UNHAPPY, CONTRACT PROBLEMS, DROPPING PURSES(?),DECLINING HANDLE, AND NOW THE TREATMENT OF RAY PAULICK AND HIS ASSOCIATE.
THESE ARE ALL EXAMPLES OF A MAJOR, SYSTEMIC, MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS USUALLY CANNOT BE ADDRESSED WITH THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT TEAMS IN PLACE, NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESS IT IS. HEADS NEED TO ROLL.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
U are right about Simms being greedy. They were gonna run nights until Jerry found out the jocks wouldn’t use miner’s helmets for the lighting.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
My, my, Bloodstock. Appears you are watching much more than your graduates. It has been my expierence that constant fighting (horsemen vs. management) usually takes two parties. According to you, however, the fighting is all caused by one party. Interesting.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Just a little confused that you said you were referring to the sport overall but you zeroed in on only Turf’’s problems…especially management. Yet you only follow your graduates? And you have already diagnosed the remedy of the problem is that “heads need to roll”? Wow! That will fix the sport overall? So are you saying EVERY other track in the entire country has no problems?
November 8th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Thought dropping purses was just still a rumor. Thought Bainum was at Yavapai not Turf. No one else at Turf last year had any bad tests? Not even high bute? All this from following your graduates? Amazing!
November 8th, 2009 at 11:41 am
The corruption at TUP is so bad, nasty, and deep, it is impossible to explain in this forum.
There IS currrently an investigation taking place, which will expose SOME…not all of it.
The “bad tests” on Bainum are a ruse, and so obvioulsy a set up. 7 Bad test? Heck, even folks who do NOT like Bainum know that is impossible. Somebody sabotaged this man.
The question is…WHO would have the motive?
The AHBPA had NOT allowed an audit of their books for nearly a decade.
There were rumors that the AHBPA had taken hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash from Mexican workers in a “work permit” scam. In fact, Several of Bainum’s grooms had been ripped off, and Bainum was quite vocal in his criticism of the scam.
Accordingly, Bainum had been aggressively pursuing the AHBPA to open their books, and allow Bainum and his folks to audit their books.
The AHBPA had stonewalled Bainum for months, refusing to allow an audit.
Finally, after public pressure, the AHBPA relented and allowed Bainum access to the books.
Bainum and his CPA reviewed the books, and found many corrupt and improper items.
Bainums CPA was shocked, as there were missing checks, deposit slips, and numerous other accounting irregularities.
Therefore, the AHBPA said they would need time to furnish the remaing items to the CPA….
Then, you won’t believe what happened next… READ this chronological order of events…
inexplicably, Bainum got 7 bad tests. 7 bad tests in one week!
Next, Bainum receives a letter from Executive Director of AHBPA, Tom Metzen, advising Bainum he is kicked out of the AHBPA, and therefore is no longer entitled to review the books!
I would be delighted to hear any and all comments.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Those are some serious allegations, which have nothing to do with The Paulick Reoprts great effort to support 2 wonderful causes.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
TRUE. WHy did Vince so blatantly LIE about the events?
November 8th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
In reading Mr. Paulick”s report, I can,t find where he mentions any specific names at Turf that he spoke with yet this blog continues to rip Simms. In reading Francia’s letter it would appear neither Simms nor Joyce knew about it. Only Francia had contact with Mr. Paulick.
So are certain horsemen once again just using this blog to rip Simms and Joyce because they lack the courage to sit down and actually talk to management?
November 8th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Replay, just how much do they pay you to carry their water? At the very least, make them give you some rational talking points. How would they not “know” about the BREEDER’S CUP OR BUST fundraiser? Was Turf management sitting in a room with the lights turned off to cut the electric bill and could not read all the articles about the cross country trip?
PLEASE, give us somethng better than that. Now trot along…
November 8th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Obviously you missed the point Kddin. Who did Mr. Paulick say, in his blog above, that he talked to? Maybe you’re so smart you found names so why don’t you trot back over to the original post by Mr. Paulick and show us the names of Turf management that he contacted Appears everything you said are assumptions not fact. Only facts should be talking points. Can I really get paid for carrying water?