BOREL: LET KENTUCKY TRACKS COMPETE WITH VLTs
Monday, June 8th, 2009I knew about Calvin Borel the rider but not Calvin Borel the writer. Borel, the winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby aboard Mine That Bird and the Kentucky Oaks and Preakness aboard the filly Rachel Alexandra, has come out in support of video lottery terminal legislation (VLTs, or slots) that is being considered at the special session of the Kentucky legislature called by Gov. Steve Beshear. The special session begins next Monday.
The following op-ed, signed by Borel, is being distributed by the public relations firm hired by the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP). – Ray Paulick
Ever since I was a young boy, all I have ever wanted to do is ride race horses. I grew up in Louisiana, but 12 years ago I moved to Kentucky to be in the middle of the horse racing and breeding capital of the world. Since then, I have seen success I could have never dreamed of—riding horses like Street Sense, Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra and winning the Kentucky Oaks, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.
I get to work at Churchill Downs at 6 a.m. to work horses and help my older brother, Cecil, who is a trainer. I love being around the horses, and I love being around the hard-working people who make up this industry. While the public may see me ride in the afternoon for a few minutes at a time, I know that a great deal of my success comes from the efforts of the people on the backside of the track who spend many hours each day, seven days a week with the horses.
There are reasons that Kentucky has been recognized as number one. We have strong race tracks and internationally known races which provide a year round circuit. We have the finest breeding farms and horses in the world. And, we have outstanding horsemen and women who take care of the horses. No other state has this foundation, but Kentucky is at a crossroads. Our position as the best is slipping. Every other state in the region now helps fund their purses and breeders’ awards with money from alternative forms of gaming.
Let us compete. The Governor has called a special session to address VLT’s at the state’s tracks. If it doesn’t pass soon, then we will fall way behind, and those hard-working people all over Kentucky who take care of the horses will have to relocate to other states.
Sincerely,
Calvin Borel