Posts Tagged ‘john hettinger’

By Ray Paulick

One of the Thoroughbred industry’s biggest challenges may also present one of its greatest opportunities. The challenge, brought to the fore this year by a series of widely publicized events but always lingering just off center stage, is the issue of animal welfare. How the industry deals with this subject may be one of its last, best opportunities to derail our slow but steady march toward irrelevance in the eyes of the general public.

The death of Eight Belles in this year’s Kentucky Derby, from all indications, was a freak accident, one of those incidents that could not have been prevented by anyone. But her demise, along with revelations about the routine administration of anabolic steroids to many of the sport’s best performers, shined a spotlight on racing that revealed to the general public some of its darkest truths.

Foremost among those is the question of what becomes of a Thoroughbred when it is no longer useful as a racing or breeding animal. Some owners and breeders take great measures to insure either a productive second life for their horses or dispose of them through humane euthanasia. Too many horses slip through the cracks, however, and end up on meat wagons headed to slaughter houses in Canada or Mexico, or are simply abandoned.

The perception of our sport is shaped by media reports of the cruelty of slaughter or abandonment of Thoroughbreds, and it does not present an image attractive to many Americans, especially a younger generation that is more in tune with animal welfare issues.

That is the challenge.

The opportunity lies in the numerous programs and untold number of volunteers who work to find second homes for Thoroughbreds as riding, pleasure or performance horses, or as therapeutic animals used in programs for the mentally, spiritually or physically challenged, and in prisons where they have helped rehabilitate hardened criminals.

It’s time for the racing and breeding industry to fully embrace programs like the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, CANTER, Rerun, Tranquility Farm, Thoroughbred Charities of America and others, instead of pretending the issue of unwanted ex-racehorses does not exist.

Last week I heard a presentation on how our sport can energize its “brand” from marketing expert David Aaker at the Asian Racing Conference in Tokyo, Japan. Aaker, an advisor to Japanese advertising giant Dentsu and professor emeritus at the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley, talked about how some other businesses have energized their brands by hitching their wagons to something outside of their core business that it is interesting, relevant and compelling to their customer base.

Avon, one of the oldest cosmetic brands for women, was cited as one very good example. There was little the company could do to energize itself by making better lipstick, Aaker said, so it found an issue with great relevance and interest to its female customers: breast cancer. Avon put enormous resources into a breast cancer awareness campaign, created a foundation to support breast cancer research, and promoted an annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer throughout the world. Breast cancer research and other social issues relevant to women were foremost among Avon CEO Andrea Jung’s program to rebuild and re-energize the Avon cosmetic brand. It has been a great success.

What social issue is of great importance to current and potential racing fans? I think that’s a no-brainer: it’s the humane treatment of the animals that give us so much pleasure and entertainment.

Look into the eyes of any fan when a horse dumps its rider in the post parade and takes off on a perilous solo run, or when a horse breaks down in a race or is carted off on an ambulance. It’s not just the champions our fans care about, either, it’s those low-level claimers they’ve followed in the first or last race on any day at any track.

Racing is fortunate to have people who are animal lovers and do what they can to protect them. Just today, Madeleine Paulson Pickens is reported to have come up with a plan to rescue from death the tens of thousands of wild mustangs who have roamed the American West and are so much a part of our culture. The late Paul Mellon bequeathed a most generous gift to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation that will benefit former racehorses for years to come. John Hettinger dedicated the last years of his life to ending slaughter and protecting our horses.

But it’s time for racing, as an institution, to understand that what’s good for our horses is good for our sport, to face this challenge and embrace it as an opportunity. The Jockey Club realized this with its recent announcement that it will give to horse retirement causes and offer breeders an easy way to donate funds to this cause whenever they register a foal. Suffolk Downs officials established a zero-tolerance policy against trainers sending horses to slaughter and a few other tracks have followed their lead.

But the clock is ticking. Voters in Massachusetts banned dog racing in that state Nov. 4 because of concerns over animal welfare. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to see similar measures taken against the racing of horses. Think about that for a minute.

We have some very bright people in this industry, people who can understand what marketing expert Aaker was talking about with Avon and apply the same principle to help both the horses and the business of Thoroughbred racing. We can energize the Thoroughbred racing "brand" by taking on one of our biggest challenges and viewing it as an opportunity to sell our sport to a new generation.

Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report

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By Ray Paulick

(UPDATED OCT. 10 TO REFLECT NEW POLICY FROM MAGNA ENTERTAINMENT)

When the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives held a markup hearing on Sept. 17 to discuss H.B. 6598, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008 that would ban slaughter and criminalize the transportation of horses for the purpose of having them slaughtered for human consumption, a letter from National Thoroughbred Racing Association president and CEO Alex Waldrop said his organization took a neutral position on H.B. 6598 despite supporting previous anti-slaughter legislation.

Waldrop’s position statement, read into the record by Republican Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, outraged a number of prominent Thoroughbred industry participants, including Pin Oak Stud’s Josephine Abercrombie, who wrote a letter signed by more than 40 individuals that was sent to the leadership of the Judiciary Committee stating that the NTRA did not speak for them on the issue. The Judiciary Committee passed the legislation on Sept. 23 and sent it to the full House.

On Oct. 3, however, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) referred the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act to the Agriculture Committee, giving that committee until Jan. 3, 2009, to take action on the bill. Since the 110^th Congress has adjourned, the bill will not pass unless it comes up during a lame duck session, which is highly unlikely.

Agriculture Committee chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and ranking Republican Goodlatte both have been recipients of contributions from the NTRA PAC, most recently receiving $5,000 for their 2008 campaigns. Peterson is a member of the Congressional Horse Caucus and Goodlatte has been a strong ally of the NTRA’s lobbying efforts concerning Internet gambling and tax incentives for breeders. Goodlatte has been an opponent of slaughter legislation. (Abercrombie, incidentally, is a “champion” level NTRA Horse PAC donor, giving $5,000.)

In the wake of the Judiciary Committee’s action on anti-slaughter legislation and the NTRA’s neutral position (the American Horse Council is also neutral), Paulick Report readers suggested we contact other major Thoroughbred industry associations and businesses to see if they have taken a position on the issue of slaughter and on the specific legislation (H.B. 6598).

Listed alphabetically by organization, here is what we learned:

ASSOCIATION OF RACING COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL: According to RCI president/CEO Ed Martin, the RCI “normally does not take positions on pending legislation in Congress and has not been asked by any of its members to address the issue.”

BREEDERS’ CUP:  Greg Avioli, president/CEO, said the Breeders’ Cup “has not issued a formal policy statement on the slaughter legislation before Congress. However, it is the strong consensus of our board that slaughter is inhumane and any and all reasonable options other than slaughter should be pursued. In furtherance of this position, proceeds from this year’s Championships will go to multiple retirement organizations.”

CHURCHILL DOWNS INC. Officials did not reply to requests for a position statement. Churchill Downs Inc, created the Greener Pastures program in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and supports other retirement and retraining programs.

FASIG-TIPTON: Did not reply to requests for a position statement. Under the leadership of the late John Hettinger, Fasig-Tipton’s majority shareholder, the company created Blue Horse Charities to offer support to various retirement and retraining organizations. Hettinger was the industry’s leading anti-slaughter advocate.

JOCKEY CLUB: Spokesman Bob Curran gave no position on H.B. 6598 but said the official breed registry “is opposed to the slaughter or processing of Thoroughbreds for consumption by humans or animals. This includes the sale and/or transportation of Thoroughbreds for slaughter or processing for consumption by humans or animals.” The Jockey Club is a member of the Unwanted Horse Coalition.

KEENELAND ASSOCIATION: Did not reply to requests for a position statement. Keeneland and its foundation have supported Thoroughbred retirement and retraining organizations, including the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and Rerun.

KENTUCKY EQUINE EDUCATION PROJECT: A statement from executive director Patrick Neely said: “It has been a topic of discussion in some of KEEP’s industry working groups but no formal position has been taken at this time.”

KENTUCKY THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION: Did not reply to requests for a position statement. KTA lists several Thoroughbred retirement organizations on its Web site.

MAGNA ENTERTAINMENT (owns Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Laurel, Pimlico, Lone Star Park, Remington Park, Golden Gate Fields): Does not have a position statement on slaughter or current anti-slaughter legislation, according to an official with the company. OCT. 10 UPDATE: MAGNA INSTITUTES NEW POLICY. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.

NATIONAL HORSEMEN’S BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION: CEO Remi Bellocq said he could not provide a yes or no answer to whether the organization supports a ban on slaughter or H.B. 6598 because of the diversity of the 30 HBPA affiliates across North America. “Our horsemen and horsewomen fall across the spectrum on this issue,” Bellocq said. The National HBPA is a member of the Unwanted Horse Coalition. Bellocq said “this shouldn’t be defined necessarily as a ‘slaughter for human consumption’ issue but, rather, an ‘unwanted horses’ issue. To a person, if given a choice, horsemen would much prefer finding a home and/or second career for their horses as opposed to slaughter. Unfortunately, no matter what legislation (state or federal) is passed, the real problem – the number of unwanted horses – will still exist. To stem the number of unwanted horses, education and awareness are a key first step to successfully bring the number down.

“To that end, in 2005 National HBPA was one of the founding members of the Unwanted Horse and we continue working actively within the UHC to better educate horsemen about the options including, should all else fail, humane euthanasia. The UHC has set-up a big tent under which all the wonderful horse rescue programs can work together. If we truly made an industry-wide effort to centralize, for example, an ex-racehorse outplacement / adoption program, I am convinced many could be placed with willing owners. Why not, for instance, establish a national site modeled after Petfinder.com? Already, organizations like the Illinois HBPA have created similar approaches with success (see Illinois HBPA’s Horses Wanted link.”

NEW YORK RACING ASSOCIATION: Did not reply to requests for a position statement. NYRA offers support to the Exceller Fund, which helps place retired horses and has supported the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION: CEO Alan Foreman said the organization has not taken a position on the current legislation. “There will be a new Congress in January and we will visit the issue then,” Foreman said.

THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION:  Position statement from TOBA president Dan Metzger: “We are categorically opposed to the slaughter of Thoroughbreds, and urge all those involved in the Thoroughbred industry to support rescue and adoption efforts and to work together to find humane means of dealing with the problems presented by Thoroughbreds no longer suitable for racing or breeding.” Metzger did not indicate whether or not TOBA has a position on H.B. 6598. TOBA is a member of the Unwanted Horse Coalition and is affiliated with Thoroughbred Charities of America, which supports numerous horse retirement and retraining operations.

THOROUGHBRED OWNERS OF CALIFORNIA: Did not reply to requests for a position statement. TOC’s Web site offers advice to a horse’s “last owner” and pushed for a first-of-its-kind charitable fund, the Calfornia Retirement Management Account  (CARMA), to solicit and distribute purse checkoffs for retirement and retraining programs. Transport for slaughter is illegal in California.

THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATIONS: Executive vice president Chris Scherf said the organization of North American racetracks has adopted no official position.

Saturday was a bad day for horses. One of their best friends in the world, John Hettinger, passed away at the age of 74. No one fought harder to end the slaughter of horses in the United States than John Hettinger.

He was tireless and passionate about ending slaughter. He talked about it, wrote about it, did something about it. He was a man of words and of action. And he put his money where his mouth was.

Of all the things John Hettinger ever said or wrote about horse slaughter, there is one paragraph that has stayed with me. It came from an article he wrote in 2003 and asked me to publish in the Bloodhorse.

 

“How do we as an industry feel about our horses?” he wrote. “Are we horse lovers? Are these animals, who work for us in one way or another throughout their entire lives, sensitive and capable of trust, courage and generosity of spirit? Or are they fast cows without horns?”

Fast cows without horns? That line got me. Until then, I was ambivalent about slaughter, because I considered horses “livestock,” which, technically, they are. But that simple but brilliant observation taught me there are different kinds of livestock – the kind that are bred and raised for human consumption, and the kind that are bred and raised for sport, but end up in the food chain by unfortunate circumstances.

Thank you, Mr. Hettinger, for helping me finally understand what was so clear to you.

The following press release about John Hettinger comes from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Please consider a donation to TRF, Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, Blue Horse Charities or to any of the many other worthy equine welfare organizations in his memory.  – Ray Paulick

TRF Mourns loss of Humanitarian, Horse Lover John Hettinger

 

John A. Hettinger, a tireless advocate for retired race horses and one of the leading figures in the fight to end horse slaughter in this country, passed away Sept. 6 at his Akindale Farm in Pawling, N.Y., after a lengthy illness. Hettinger was 74.

 

A longtime horse owner and breeder, Hettinger became a passionate activist for the retired Thoroughbred in the late 1990s. He personally bought hundreds of horses to keep them from going to slaughter, was an outspoken critic of anyone standing in the way of passage of legislation to ban horse slaughter and started Blue Horse Charities, a charity that raised millions to provide for retired thoroughbreds. Hettinger was also an important friend to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. He was a long-time member of the group’s board of directors.

"We at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation are deeply saddened by the loss of John Hettinger," TRF Executive Director Diana Pikulski said. "John was among the most loyal and honorable people I have ever known. He was the Thoroughbreds strongest advocate and he took action to back his convictions. The TRF was honored to have his huge support and presence as a director. John personified our mission and made us a stronger, better organization and we are honored to continue his efforts on behalf of our equine athletes.

"John created a sanctuary at Akindale, his family farm, where hundreds of thoroughbreds saved from the slaughter pens were given a home. The TRF started the first Thoroughbred retraining center in the country at the Exceller Farm, the use of which was donated to the TRF by Mr. Hettinger. John also created Blue Horse Charities to raise money from thoroughbred horses sales to fund thoroughbred adoption agencies.

"It did not matter who he rubbed the wrong way in his effort to have the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act passed by the U.S. Congress. John always said that his best friends all had four legs."

In 2000, his efforts on behalf of retired horses were recognized by the industry, which awarded him a Special Eclipse Award.

"There are two things that flourish in the dark—mushrooms and horse slaughter," Hettinger once said. "Most people don’t know it’s going on. We must deny them the darkness."

Hettinger was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the New York Racing Association and Chairman Emeritus of the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation. Racing under the name of Akindale Farm, Hettinger campaigned such stakes-winning horses as Chase the Dream, Genuine Regret, Jazzing Around, Lady DAccord, Move It Now, Prospectors Flag, Up Like Thunder and Virgo Libra. Akindale also stood such stallions as DAccord, Personal Flag, Stacked Pack and Sir Wimborne.

Hettinger’s big horse was Warfie, who he said gave him his biggest thrill as an owner when she won the Long Island Handicap in 1989.

He was also the majority owner of the Fasig-Tipton sales company until it was sold earlier this year to Dubai-based Synergy Investments Ltd.

Consignors and buyers attending Fasig-Tipton yearling sales in Lexington, Ky., and Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in July and August may be a little disappointed if they are looking for a sudden transformation of the 110-year-old Thoroughbred auction company under the new ownership of Dubai-based Synergy Investments.

The sale, announced in April, closed May 30. Synergy is headed by Abdulla al Habbai, an associate of Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum of Dubai’s ruling family and the owner of the worldwide Darley racing and breeding operation.

“The upcoming sales will be extremely similar to 2007 and the years prior to that,” said Boyd Browning, Fasig-Tipton’s chief operating officer. “It might seem a little boring right now. Everyone wants to know what we are going to do differently. There is a sense of raised expectations in the market place, and that’s a positive thing. We’re really revved up, but we’re not there yet.”

In fact, Browning said he’s had just one meeting with a representative of Synergy in London the week after the deal closed. There have been no personnel changes, and none are anticipated in the near future. Budgets for recruiting and marketing remain what they were prior to the sale. Fasig-Tipton had been owned by a group of Thoroughbred industry breeders led by John Hettinger.

 “The marching orders (from the initial meeting) are to develop ideas,” Browning continued. “We don’t have a ‘formalized plan’ yet. We’ll do a review of the company, what we can do better and what types of things can we be involved with that can help the industry overall and the sales industry. We’re in the brainstorming stage now. We hope to have more definitive ideas in 60 to 90 days.”

Browning said he’s been pleasantly surprised by an outpouring of ideas from people in the industry.

“I’ve got a folder full of emails with suggestions,” he said. “Some people have their own personal agenda, but many others have some very creative ideas. We’ve got an opportunity to think outside the box and get people engaged.”

A survey of more than 30 Fasig-Tipton consignors and buyers by the Paulick Report found widespread  though not unanimous enthusiasm for the new ownership and what it can bring to the auction marketplace and the Thoroughbred industry.

Asked to rate the sale of Fasig-Tipton on a scale of 1-to-10, with one being extremely bad news and 10 extremely good news, respondents answered with an average of 8.1. The median rating was 9. Only two respondents answered with a rating below 5.

Comments on the sale were virtually unanimous in support of increased competition being good for any industry, including Thoroughbred auctions. Currently, Keeneland enjoys roughly an 80% to 20% market share lead over Fasig-Tipton in the $1-billion annual Thoroughbred auction market. There have been repeated rumors over the years that Keeneland would buy out Fasig-Tipton, but that never happened, perhaps to the regret of Keeneland’s  current board and management team. At the time the sale to Synergy was announced, Keeneland president Nick Nicholson issued a terse statement that said only: "The purchase opens a new chapter for an historic, well-established company in the Thoroughbred auction business."

Respondents to the Paulick Report survey  were assured their comments would remain anonymous unless they specifically gave approval to be named. All but one chose to remain anonymous.

“I hope the sale inspires Keeneland to treat their customers better,” said one bloodstock agent.

“The sale (to Synergy) is good for the industry and good for Fasig-Tipton, provided there is no hidden agenda,” a major buyer and consignor commented. “Being this is the second-largest sale company, it’s going to put Keeneland on its toes. They both need to be more customer centric, and more customer service oriented. They should do some of the things to attract and retain customers. Keeneland has been arrogant. They’ve had a monopoly virtually. If Fasig-Tipton steps it up a level or two, I think it will only improve Keeneland’s customer service focus. Good competition is good for the industry.”

“Keeneland is a company that doesn’t treat its consignors that well,” said a major Kentucky breeder. “So it will be interesting to see how they respond to the increased competition. They have operated like some pre-Teddy Roosevelt high-handed monopoly. The question will be: Does Keeneland have the talent and ability, the corporate mentality, to compete in the real world.  American capitalism does not allow sacred cows to stand alone in fields by themselves eating all the hay.”

“What excites me most,” said a Kentucky horseman, “is that it’s my understanding that Sheikh Mohammed wants to see things done to promote and grow our industry. One only needs to take a look at a before and after picture of Dubai to see he knows how to make things happen.

“This will probably make Keeneland step up and get active as well. I have never seen a time where the status quo was less acceptable in our industry. It is time for people to get with the program!”

While Sheikh Mohammed has not officially been linked with Synergy Investments, nearly everyone polled suggested that he was at least partially behind the purchase. His chief bloodstock agent, John Ferguson, negotiated the purchase on Synergy’s behalf.

“(Sheikh Mohammed) is definitely involved,” one horseman said. “There is no question about that.”

Said another: “I see no downside that would cause any worries (unless one is a shareholder in Keeneland). The positives are that this group, apparently and hopefully, will be applying the same intensity and energy into the commercial arena as they have applied to stallion management and marketing. Further, I imagine they will probably be recruiting new buyers and participants to become involved through 1) their Middle Eastern contacts and 2) incentives and encouragement to all purchasers (particularly trainers and other end users via hospitality and purchase incentives).”

One consignor said he does not believe Sheikh Mohammed has any intent to hurt Keeneland. “He simply wants to improve the economic state of affairs within the North American side of our industry,” he said. “He has a ton of money invested here and our prosperity is important to him. “My understanding is that he plans to use this purchase as a platform to launch innovative approaches to attract new buyers.”

Another breeder cited the new structure of Fasig-Tipton’s ownership as a plus. “The purchase takes Fasig out of a business model that is predominantly aimed at cost control and providing profits to distribute to a small handful of shareholders. This establishes a new business model that will have increased focus on customer appreciation and service, with capitalization to develop many new customer friendly initiatives. It has the potential to be a competitive threat to Keeneland, and increase competition almost always benefits the consumer. It should also lead to initiatives that bring more high-end clients to the sales and into the business. Basically, the possibilities are mostly limited by the imagination of the individuals in charge of designing and implementing.”

“Nothing but good can come from this sale,” said another consignor. “F/T has always been the ‘Avis’ of the equine sales companies where they ‘try harder,’ and the ‘product’ they produce is with less capital than their competitor. Keeneland does an excellent job; however, healthy competition is always good. F/T now has the capital to compete head to head with their competition, which should make a win/win for everyone.”

“What excites me,” said another, “is the injection of large amounts of cash, if necessary, in a contracting breeding/racing environment. ‘Doing it right,’ regardless of cost, will take precedent over profit.”

Another breeder said the sale has “enormous potential. It can be very significant or a non event. The potential to revitalize racing and selling is immense if the commitment is there. I have no worries about this sale unless they under deliver on the expectations the industry has for the new company. Unlimited funding, not just market driven. What an opportunity.”

Some were more guarded in their comments, listing potential negatives.

“Possible downsides include unknown effects, if any, of having one faction seeking to dominate the American horse scene,” said one consignor. “I’m not too worried, because I think the American breeding, racing, and sales scene is too broad and multi-faceted, and enough competition will always exist for one group to dominate enough to cause serious negative effects. (The situation is unlike that of the Jockey Club which negatively affects the industry because it is a monopoly without competition.)”

“Main concerns would be major changes in strategic direction and/or management,” said another.

“It might not be the best thing for so much of the industry to be under the control of one entity,” said one bloodstock agent. “That said, they put up the money so more power to ‘em. If the Arabs let it be known that they will support their sale and no longer buy at Keeneland, then it could have a significant impact on where consignors send their horses. If nothing else, I hope the sale makes Keeneland more user-friendly.”

“I am concerned that the ultimate goal may be domination in the market place,” a consignor said.

Said another: “I have been told (which means nothing, as we know), that the group behind Synergy are not fans of how things are done at Keeneland. So I’m guessing that this is a beginning process to eventually have more power than Keeneland does in the sales world."

“Nothing about it excites me,” said breeder Garrett Redmond. “My worry is: If it is profitable and profits are shipped to Dubai, more of our patrimony is exported to an OPEC member. That cartel is already taxing us into depression and poverty.

“There is one way it might help sellers,” Redmond added, “but I know it will not be done. With the huge capital at its disposal, FT could pay sellers on the day following the sale instead of the waiting period there is now. That alone would be a huge blow against Keeneland; the kind of competition we need to take Keeneland down a few pegs.”

Several horsemen contacted by the Paulick Report brought up the feud between Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation and the Coolmore camp led by John Magnier and the team that includes Demi O’Byrne and Paul Shanahan.

“Coolmore bought and sold a lot of horses with Fasig-Tipton, and there is the fact that Sheikh Mohammed doesn’t buy Coolmore horses or Coolmore-bred horses,” said one breeder. “I’m not sure how that is going to play. Would Coolmore have the same kind of relationship with Fasig-Tipton that they’ve had before? That’s still to be panned out.”

Browning addressed the question directly. “We’ve tried to be proactive with Coolmore and Darley. Both camps have been important customers of Fasig-Tipton and the overall industry. We’ve had a longstanding relationship with Coolmore, especially with Demi and Paul, and we’ve tried to make every effort to encourage them and assure them that we want to continue those relationships. It’s important for the industry.

“Competition is good and good for all of us,” Browning continued. “We want a competitive environment where we have both sides on the same horse. We want them both to be completely comfortable buying and selling horses at Fasig-Tipton. We are striving to do that. I can’t say that it’s going to be a success or failure.”

For now, Browning is hoping the industry has some patience as new plans are formulated.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said. “This transaction closed May 30. Our perspective is to make the game better and the sales better on a long-term basis. We want to do the right thing consistently and for the long term. It’s not very glamorous or exciting, but we are more interested in where we’ll be in five years, not five months.”

By Ray Paulick

Copyright ©2008, The Paulick Report