John Ward

[Linny]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I don't know Ken McPeek at all, and you're right he does seem to win, but he may also have personality clashes with some owners. I seem to remember him losing a few owners before he briefly left the game.

It would be unfair to condemn anyone for this, as it's a two way street, and while sometimes ( I'm sure ) the trainer is to blame, but I am also sure that many owners are difficult to deal with. This is a primary reason that Todd Pletcher has been so successful ( along with having a great staff ). He has done a tremendous job of communicating well with owners.

It is worth noting too that once a trainer reaches a certain level, "elite status" then he can essentially tell owners that they must play by "trainers rules." No owner is going to tell Todd or Bobby Frankel or the Chief what to do with his horses. If you want these guys training your stock you deal with their rules, to a certain extent. That said, Todd's operation is very good at communicating wit clients. All his assistants are trained to deal with owners etc. in the manner that they expect for the $$$ they spend.