Texas Thoroughbred Forum

jrgators · Postby **jrgators** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:00 am

jrgators wrote:District Member Phone number
30 Geanie Morrison 512-463-0456
45 Jason Isaac 512-463-0647
52 Larry Gonzales 512-463-0670
56 Charles Anderson 512-463-0135
61 Phil King 512-463-0738
81 Tryon Lewis 512-463-0546
83 Charles Perry 512-463-0542
84 John Frullo 512-463-0676
85 Jim Landtroop 512-463-0604
86 John Smithee 512-463-0702
87 Four Price 512-463-0470
106 Rodney Anderson 512-463-0694
130 Allen Fletcher 512-463-0661
132 Bill Callegari 512-463-0528
135 Gary Elkins 512-463-0722
144 Ken Legler 512-463-0460

This is a list of the representatives that we need to contact about support for HJR 111, and HB 2111. Please email, and or call to request their support.

To email....it's an [email protected]

The email is their first name with a dot, then last name @ house.state.tx.us

Have a wonderful easter weekend!

Theo

I took the time this morning to email each person on this list. If you copy and paste, it's pretty quick and easy. I used the win for texas website for my own representative and that too was easy.

I hope everyone has a great day, and had an awesome Easter, I did!!

jrgators · Postby **jrgators** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:03 am

ratherrapid wrote:
Gate2Wire wrote:JR, I didn't think it was possible but I found someone who has worse training stats than Pickard. Your lifetime trainer stats 9-0-0-0 w/total purse money earned $636. Your record indicates you haven't been licensed since 2007, so that's probably why Mrs. Haynes said she didn't represent you.

The THP represents LICENSED horsemen who have started a horse in TX, not horsemen that plan to run a horse someday

this poster probably has 0 idea of the difficulty of getting any horse to the races. i consider this a ridiculous comment. sorry.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE POSTER HAS ANY IDEA OR NOT, BUT I DO KNOW THAT I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH MY HORSES, AND MY HORSE BUSINESS! THANKS FOR THE COMMENT!

jrgators · Postby **jrgators** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:11 am

Just wanted to post a copy of the letter that I sent.

As you work to address the unprecedented budget challenges this legislative session, Texans are spending their tax dollars just over our borders in neighboring states. Every year Texans spend about $2.5 billion in Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico. You can help put a stop to this massive leakage of entertainment dollars by supporting HB 2111 and HJR 111.

Your support of this legislation promotes the right for Texans to vote on slot machines at licensed horse and greyhound tracks, along with the recognized Native American Reservations.

Studies show that we could generate nearly a billion dollars a year in tax revenue and create more than 75,000 new jobs.

You will have many hard budgeting decisions this session and very deep cuts ahead. While I recognize that this proposal won't solve the whole problem you must address, I know that it can allow the Legislature to perhaps prevent some of the largest cuts we are facing.

Overwhelmingly, polls consistently show that Texans like me want the opportunity to decide this issue in the voting booth. Please allow us that opportunity by voting for a constitutional amendment.

I am a very small breeder, owner, and trainer in Lockhart Texas. I have been involved in some level with the race horse business my entire life basically. I love the business, and love the thought of being able to stay in racing, and racing in Texas.

I'm one that's too small to be able to race out of state, and I have a job in Austin which allows me to be in the racehorse business.

Without some changes in legislation, I won't be able to stay in the business. We are continuing to loose race dates in Texas, and lost race dates mean lost chances for me to prove my horses, and make this business profitable.

My request is that you consider what we have to gain by approval of this legislation, and have a great day.

Sincerely,
Theophilus Scales, Jr.

Horsecrazy · Postby **Horsecrazy** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:51 am

JR: Regarding your letter to reps, that was a good job. Congratulations!

Gate2Wire · Postby **Gate2Wire** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:51 am

I know EXACTLY what it takes to get a horse to the gate whether it's a 2 yr old or 10 yr old. JR stated on 4/20 that he's NOT spending any more money on the sport, so why should someone who hasn't run a horse in 4 YEARS & plans to maybe one day run a horse in TX, have a say in our racing calendar?

tinners way · Postby **tinners way** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:19 am

Gate, if your "feeling" to have input is based on current participation, I would then be eligible under your rules. My thoughts were pretty clear on the proposed consolidation last year. What were yours? And while you answer that, did you participate at Retama in the fall and/or at Houston this winter?

ratherrapid · Postby **ratherrapid** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:34 am

i'm not in the debate and have yet to read the posts. unknown what's involved. i just thought it an out of line comment. if u do know what it takes to get a horse there u know the % that never make it. so, if you have a small outfit, what are the odds? but, maybe my comment is out of line in the context, unknown. :shock:

The Queen · Postby **The Queen** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:19 pm

FYI - General Horsemen's Meeting
Thursday, April 28th 11:30
Thoroughbred Sales Pavillion

The Queen · Postby **The Queen** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 1:16 pm

Sorry, I left out Lone Star Park as the meeting location

jrgators · Postby **jrgators** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:45 pm

Thanks Jan for posting the meeting information!!

rattherrapid.....thanks for you comment, and I am a small outfit with now just 3 horses, and it's been a VERY rough couple of years! I actually had all intention of quitting last year, and my son helped me to change my mind.

I appreciate you for joining our conversations, and hope you are not a stranger to the board!

Theo

jrgators · Postby **jrgators** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:48 pm

Horsecrazy wrote:JR: Regarding your letter to reps, that was a good job. Congratulations!

Forgot to mention thanks to you as well!

As we all know, time is running out, so we have to keep hoping and trying to see SOMETHING happen!

Again, thanks!

Theo

Gate2Wire · Postby **Gate2Wire** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:56 am

Key, it's a miracle! I finally agree w/you on something you posted. TX breeders do deserve better than having you & Tinner wanting to strangle the breeding industry in TX. Look at LS results from Sat. KY breds took out over 334k in purse money compared to TX breds 55k. The TX breeders/owners who won those races put a lot into the industry & should be allowed to invest how they wish to keep the money in TX. TX breeders need the same opportunity as everyone else in these races, NOT restrictions.

tinners way · Postby **tinners way** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:15 am

Gate, you are right. What is your answer to level playing field? You have never answered one question that I have posed, nor defended your erroneous statements when they have been pointed out. I understand your tactic is to continually attack, but....

I can take the $344k compared to the 55k and argue that we should close the thing up to insure those dollars stay here, but not once have I ever argued for that. I think that would be a mistake.

What I have argued for is how to keep the $344k here, and be sure it has every opportunity to run through the Texas economy. If your answer is everything is perfect the way it is, so be it.

You seem to forget what the purpose of the breed registry in Texas is for, as well as the racing act.

You are so bent on arguing, that you would automatically say the sky was red if I said it was blue. There are probably a dozen or more ways to solve this and actually not put any restrictions, but create more opportunities for horses bred and raised here, but you obviously don't give a care for improvement, only status quo- which is not in the best interest of the breeding industry in Texas.

tinners way · Postby **tinners way** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:36 pm

As a quick follow-up to your amazing stats from Saturday, and I think you may want to restate just how much you think is staying in Texas.

Friday- 6-T-bred winners, 1 LA, 1-OK, 1-KY- Handle- 1,031,000

Saturday- 3 T-bred, 1-MD, 6-KY- Handle- $928,000

Sunday- 4-T-bred, 2-LA, 1-FL, 1-Canadian, 1-KY- Handle-1,208,000

On track handle was better on Saturday, they drew 16,000 for dollar day, but they weren't really gambling, so lets hope we gained some fans.

Awfully short odds for those ship ins, but again, they may have gained us a bunch of fans.

Better wagering options on Friday and Sunday. IMO, the Texas breds helped create competitive cards, as proven by the handle.

jrgators · Postby **jrgators** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:23 pm

Good evening all,

Just would like to ask everyone to take a few minutes, and check out the win for Texas website. When you go there, please send an email via their link to your reps. If you don't know who they are, that's fine, the system will put them in once you put in your address.

Keep calling, keep writing, and have a wonderful day.

Theo