Texas Thoroughbred Forum

[toadie]

Calhoun's barn clear of quarantine. Clerical error.

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!??????????

[cewright]

Does anyone have any information about LS and SH combining dates next year and Retama running a shorter meet; which I am guessing will this year. We are never going to get those dates back I'm afraid. I know it was being discussed.

Rumor down in SHRP on Frriday is Retama wants out of the TB's. They already run their QH dates at SHRP. Talk was Retama just wanted to be a training center.

Chuck

[tinners way]

If all the rumors are true Retama should have their license pulled. It is also about time license holders for "someday" tracks that want to be tracks make the investment and build or actually be fined and have to pay. There is an industry here if some of the politics get pushed aside. It is the breeders and owners that are getting used in this game.

There is lots of talk and rumor right now about combining dates of LS and SHRP for a boutique meet. Bad idea. Regardless of where you stand on 40, 65, 80, 100 days of racing you need to make your voice heard to both HBPA and TTA boards. Same goes for where you stand on slots or nothing as a failed strategy for so long, that many want to continue to pursue.

Personally we need to maintain at least 100 days of racing, whether a split meet or all at LS, and since SHRP and LS have made overtures that ADW should be pursued, we better find a way to go after that in addition to slots.

[onthemark]

It is posted on the LS overnights. Retama is asking to run just 16 dates with purse levels as 2009 levels. My question is... this has been in the works for several weeks and I have not seen any mention of it on either of the association web sites. The death toll in now ringing for Texas Racing!

We will soon have just one TB meet at LS. I guess Gillespie will still be running along with Manor.

[keyranch]

The discussion about the date restructuring had taken place behind closed doors between the associations and the racetrack reps. Unfortunately the associations spend more time representing themselves and the racetracks than they do their dwindling memberships.

As usual there is so much information being put out that is out of context or skewed toward the best interest of the racetracks that when it is all said and done all you pesky little horse owners will be grateful to even have a few races to run at each year.

It has been suggested by the tracks and the associations that there will be not be thoroughbred racing in Texas except for 65 days out of the year at Lone Star with an average dailey purse of over 280k. Gillepsie will still be running their fair meet.

I understand that this is also supported by a leading trainer at LS and others on the HBPA. It is time for everyone to contact by phone their representatives in both the TTA and the HBPA to find out where they stand so you will know how to vote next November. Some of the board members have just found out about this in the last thirty days and there is a TTA board meeting coming up soon.

You have to keep in mind the current racetracks are only concerned with what is in their best interest at this time and the associations are only concerned with what is in their personal best interest is at this time. There are people on these boards that have more financial interests in the existing racetracks and racetrack licenses than they have interest in maintaining the Texas industry.

The racing commission needs to realize we have no representation in these matters and we can only hope the Governors appointees can see the bigger picture and will look back at the history of recommendations these people have made to it in the last ten years and realize lots of our situation is man made. Create a crisis to acheive an agenda driven by the race tracks. The way they have created unity for their legislative agenda is to remove all the little people that they can not control, the only ones left will either fall in line, will be part of the agenda, or have no interest in Texas racing because all the horses ship in from other states.

[jellac]

OK - a lot has happened since I last checked this thread (!) I have several questions if fellow Texans would be kind enough to answer -

1) Broke and ankle bone last Sat. and did not make it to the LOPETX Horse Show this Saturday as a result - GLAD to hear it was a success!

2) Re: Calhoun's barn being quaranteened (or not) and all of his Friday' night entries being scratched: my question is for 'what'???

3) Re: Retama getting out of the racing business - Retama's owners/management have to do what it takes to make that a money making facility/asset in this economic environment and perhaps a training center only is their nearterm answer to the dearth of purse money to in turn attract: owners/trainers and their horses, which in turn would appeal to breeders and all of which would tend to attract more bettors and/or fans to the track.

4) Report out: I spent yesterday at SHRP from about 11AM until almost 7PM betting Belmont's Stakes Series from Race 6 thru the Belmont itsself and then stayed to watch/bet about 5 of the QH races. The facility is in great shape, more open, brighter and appealing in its appearance overall than I remember pre-Hurricane Ike - especially at the Club level. (I've been out there post repairs but pretty much stayed in the saddling paddock/ground florr pass through and finnish line apron areas. I must say that I think the banning of smoking to the exterior patios/aprons and paddock areas is a HUGE IMPROVEMENT !!! I'm not a manic anti-smoking person but as age/allergies (not sure which?) have takent their toll I've found my tolerance for second hand smoke has really decreased and I simply do not want and cannot physically stand to hang around smokey enclosed environments for very long. (This includes some of my favorite bar b q haunts ) More importantly I like to think this is a MUCH improved working environment for the near term and long term health of SHRP's employees/contractors. SADLY - SHRP was more or less VACANT until about the 8th or 9th race at Belmont....and not too very busy/full after that. With a live card of QH racing, some entertainment planned for later and the Belmont with it's terrific array of simulcast racing to bet/observe (not to mention Lone Star's, Monmouth's and Hollywood Park's, among others) I just can't understand why more people don't take themselves to SHRP for summertime entertainment? I purchased the $19.00 "package" entry ticket. Aside from entry to SHRP and a seat in the Club level section that has countertop seating, that included coupons for a free SHRP program w/ a Belmont race abbreviated PPs enclosure, a FREE burger basket (which I substituted for one of their really good Hebrew National hot dogs), two FREE soft drinks or draft beer coupons (which I gave away to a beerdrinker who gave me a good tip). I'd like to note that the gate person taking my money had enough snap to: a) inform me there were only a few seats left "near/at the top" in the area of the Club level where this 'package' applied, either noticing or after I mentioned my broken ankle/clumsy moonboot to her. THis was much appreciated as I doubt I could have/would have trotted up and down those stairs very often to place bets, etc. Actually when I got to the top of the escalator I found a table and 2 chairs (one for me and one for the bum foot) available in front of the little bar there which I prefer as a seat for simulcast eventes. Later in the day I shared the other two 'spare' seats at that tabel with another 'fan' who came to bet the Belmont and the QH races and ended up making a new 'race track' friend. Not a bad deal all in all for my $19.00 I'd say. All staff I encountered throughout the day were attentive, pleasant, and wanting to be and/or very helpful. However, I will say that the betting window attendants - while pleasant - are often not very quick. Many would deservedly get scathing abuse from any seasoned bettors from other jurisdicitions for their inability to quickly and correctly process the taking of bets and cashing of tickets. And yes I know that there is more than the usual number of 'fans' at SHRP that haven't a clue how to call out/place a bet in way that would make their job easier but I've seen how Hollywood's staff (including extras brought in from Del Mar, SA and other S. Cal tracks were able to handle a global village of bettors for the Breeders' Cup events and trust me SHRP has MILES to go to get up to snuff. More rigorous training is needed there IMHO. There was no parking or gate entry charge to enter the facility at 11AM and (as I was being dropped off and later picked up during the live racing card) I was amazed to learn none was charged my 'ride' when he came by at 6:45 to pick me up. I got to see my 'old' trainer (meaning it's been several years since I've had need for a trainer, not that he is old) win a Maiden race impressively with a horse making his second out, then bring home another in a close second. He was saddling up two entries for the TQHA's Sire Cup Derby and I understand he placed one of those 3rd but I left before that race went off. All in all it was a good day of racing, presenting some challenging betting/handicapping with worthy rewards for those who could crack the code (my new friend has thrown "Drosselmeyer" into her bet at the last minute and was handsomely rewarded!) and as it turned out something of a reunion with someone I think highly of as he enjoyed some success at what has to be one of the hardest ways to make a living there is these days in this state. And all of this in the air conditioning no less!!!! Sure beat the heck out of trying to take care of any of my outdoor chores with one leg wrapped in plastic and essentially worthless......and the dog underfoot all day. So I have to wonder - why weren't other people there to 'have some fun'? I can't hardly get in and out of Minute Maid ball park to see a dis-Astros game (unless I buy no food/drink) for less than I spent to get in and see some great horse racing both live and simulcast so what gives with the lack of fans....And yes I did come home a loser for the total I exposed betting but I cashed a ticket or two and stayed within my budget, learned a lot about the intricasies of betting Belmont's different tracks/the Pick 6 bet, etc.. For those that complain about the cost of betting - I can say this: there is nothing I can spend money on at an Astros'/Rockets'/Texans' game that has any hope of making me a return on my investment and it sure doesn't seem to bother people to drive to La/Ok/NM or fly to Vegas to pump their money into one armed bandits. The good news - racing attracts a lot of families with young children in addition to those like me of the 'gray hair' generations that grew up with pari-mutual wagering/horse racing as a legitimate sport option. IN that there is some hope....if we can a) last long enough for those young people to grow up and b) get our house in order so the sport can return to it's former levels locally.

[keyranch]

There is a very simple solution for Retama Park. If they can not operate as a class 1 track by providing the racing days required to the industry, the racing commission needs to put that class 1 license back up for bid so that someone with the ability to market and manage a racetrack can get into the San Antonio market. The racing commission needs the money and we need our horses to have a place to run. The Irony is the involvement of Retama management with the AJC and McAllen area tracks and they have only proved that they can manage the slots or nothing political agenda and not a racetrack, but that is what they were brought in for in since day one.

The current Lone Star management will talk about lower purses, because of fewer horses, and too many favorites winning races as the reasons for their drop in purse structure. They do not talk about the big overpayment in purses from last year that has to be made up for before turning over the keys to the new owners and they do not talk about the problems with MEC's betting platforms and their impact on purses. The question has to be raised is LS management doing the bidding of the new owners or are they selling out the new owners in order to have a job with the slots or nothing crowd in one of their invisible tracks. I do not believe the new owners are willing to contribute to a further decline the the Texas industry by supporting the loss of racing in the rest of the state. Besides, the rumor is there is an offer for the Amarillo track and suppose to be an offer for manor downs.

The third class 1 in the behind the scenes dates negotiations is SHRP. Supposedly they are on schedule to lose 2 million this year. They ran no days last year due to the Fema money they received for repair and I have to wonder if through good accounting they will be able to receive more government money for bussiness their bussiness loss. Who gets to look at the books when they throw out a statement like that.

Bottom line cutting days will cut jobs, and will decrease agricultural economic development in the state. The tracks showed their true colors last legislative session by selling out the horsemens groups that they are now in bed with again and all the horsemen. They stood up and testified that they did what was in their best interest with legislation they supported. There was no one in those hearings standing up for what is in our best interest then or now! The timing of all of this is ramped up because of the next session and the change over at Lone Star. Do you not think that it is strange we have not seen anything written or any details of the next legislative session from or supposed representatives. Ask your board member representatives what they have seen and I am sure the answer is nothing yet. The tracks are controlling the slots or nothing agenda again and again we have been sold out and have no input into solving the industry problems.

[lazyfranch]

thank you for updating the results of the LOPE Show. It was a huge success, over 9k raised for LOPE! The article in the Statesman actually brought more spectators to the show as well.

Thanks for all your wonderful support. Looks like more and more horses may be retiring in the near future.

I wish Texas Legislature could get their act together.

[Bedouwia]

don't know what to say -- this is a monster game of chicken and I think the fox is in charge of the hen house ;


Bedouwia

[cewright]

It looks like we should be paying more attention to the HBPA:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/horseracing/stories/061010dnspolslede.1bf800f.htm

[Roger]

Retama's cut in dates is not a done deal yet!!! The TxRC is going to decide what to do 7-17-2010. I'm going to email them at http://www.txrc.state.tx.us to let them know how I feel. I just don't trust others to look out for little guys like me. I think they need to know that we feel that 16 dates is fine for a Class II track and that if Retama wants 16 dates and gets 16 dates that they should be reclassified as a Class II track. Even if we don't accomplish anything, we can feel good about trying to and it never hurts to let the commission know how we feel. Just go to http://www.txrc.state.tx.us and then click on contract us. Please join me in contacting the txrc.

[tinners way]

Chuck the link to the article does not pull it up. Is there a chance you can post it? Thanks

[cewright]

Chuck the link to the article does not pull it up. Is there a chance you can post it? Thanks

Racing dates at Lone Star Park and two other tracks could be consolidated

10:50 PM CDT on Wednesday, June 9, 2010
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
GRAND PRAIRIE – Officials of Texas' horse racing tracks and the sports' owners and trainers haven't always seen eye to eye, but they all agree on one thing.

With the sport and the industry declining, the state's three Class 1 tracks cannot continue to operate as they have in the past.

That much was clear at a meeting Wednesday of the Texas Horsemen's Partnership and Lone Star Park president and general manager Drew Shubeck.

"I think we all acknowledge that we have to do something different," said Marsha Roundtree, executive director of the partnership, which represents owners and trainers. "Most of our horsemen are taking their horses to other states just to survive. The old way just isn't working anymore."

For that reason, Roundtree and others believe that some sort of consolidation of racing dates is inevitable. How that reduction happens is the big question.

The partnership will meet with representatives of Sam Houston, Retama and Lone Star Park, the three major tracks in the state, on Tuesday in Austin to discuss potential plans.

One possibility is to keep Lone Star Park's thoroughbred dates and eliminate or greatly reduce the dates at the other two tracks. That would mean purse money would be piled into fewer dates and, therefore, attract better horses for the shorter Texas season.

Shubeck said only that the meeting included discussions on possible race dates in 2011 and that the process is ongoing.

The Texas Racing commission will have discussions about racing dates at its July meeting, and the official dates for 2011 likely will be announced in September.

[keyranch]

You have to love it. They created the crisis by not pursuing account wagering, OTB's, and Instant Race Machines and now they are blaming everyone but themselves for the situation at hand.

This is so similar to the operation of the federal government and we can all see where that is going. Control for the benefit of the few. Again their excuses for their decline are bogus and more of a management problems and an impact from the national economy.

Sometimes a little revolution is good. Again, the Texas horsemen have no representation in this and can only hope the racing commission understands the racetracks have total control of the horseman's groups in Texas.

[tinners way]

To add to Key Ranch. I don't know of one trainer that wants to go to other states to race. The whole idea of the Racing Act was to 1) make pari-mutuel racing available to all TEXANS. 2) expand the breeding and racing opportunities for breeders and owners in TEXAS. WOW- haven't done or even attempted to do either. The past four legislative sessions have produced nothing, yet there was no legislation presented to included OTB, ADW or instant race machines. You can't be this inept if it is not on purpose. And now we are supposed to believe that going to a Monmouth style boutique meet is going to save US. Horse ----. The big Monmouth meet could also be a one and done event, but no one mentions that. Right now there has to be a push to at least preserve 100 days of racing. If Houston and Retama don't or can't run, they should be relieved of their Class 1 licenses. The racing commission has to put some teeth into this. 65 days at 285k = 100 days at 200. HBPA and TTA have a duty to the breeders, owners and horsemen. The slots or nothing agenda is leading us to nothing.

This agenda of a "boutique" meet brings the end to a circuit in Texas and hundreds if not thousands of jobs lost. But the few will be happy.