Attention Manley, Jackson and all the little Gnomes

[GinaIsWild]

Originally Posted by merasmag

when u need him? hopefully, praying for these guys...i smell a strike coming and then jfeld can ride instead

I'm sorry, I just don't sympathize with these guys and their "plight" They can easily afford to fund their own insurance but they (their organization and it's leadership choose not to) would prefer to try and extort every other sector of the industry. It's a sad situation to be sure, but they are solely responsible.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Jfeld

I'm sorry, I just don't sympathize with these guys and their "plight" They can easily afford to fund their own insurance but they (their organization and it's leadership choose not to) would prefer to try and extort every other sector of the industry. It's a sad situation to be sure, but they are solely responsible.

I couldn't agree more.

When they turned down the offer in Kentucky last year, where they only had to foot a small part of the bill, and then tried to extort MORE money from horseplayers they solidified their indefensible position. THEY drew the line in the sand....not us.

[Gander]

I always think of that HBO special narrated by Shane Sellers as he is driving in his Mercedes SUV. Cry me a river. My wife and I's health insurance just went up huge for 2007, there goes any raise that I was expecting at work. Gone to pay for our healthcare.

I met Shane about 10 years ago and he was a teriffic gentleman. Mike Smith was also very nice. I had the honor of being at Siros (when it use to be good)
the night of Holy Bull's win in the Haskell. Mike was very generous that evening, but his wife (at the time) was anything but nice. Looked at us like we were dirt. Hopefully for him Chantal is nicer.

Man, what ever happened to Siros anyway? Ever since they started hiring those bands like the Refirgeartors, the place's clientel has took a nosedive.

There is a difference between health insurance and catastrophic insurance. I think there is a law that health insurance companies cannot turn someone down for health insurance. But they can turn someone down for catastrophic insurance. This is a tough one, but I think it should be up to the jocks to get their own catastrophic insurance.

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by Jfeld

I'm sorry, I just don't sympathize with these guys and their "plight" They can easily afford to fund their own insurance but they (their organization and it's leadership choose not to) would prefer to try and extort every other sector of the industry. It's a sad situation to be sure, but they are solely responsible.

The Jockey's Guild has mismanaged their constituent's interests for so long that they're no longer representitive of their own members. The lastest debacle involving the decision to bring in rabblerousers with their intimidation techniques rather than problemsolving horsemen with knowledge, experience, and industry respect is case in point.

They'd almost be ahead to scrap the whole mess and start from anew, if that's even feasible.

What really should be done at any track that has slots is... Provide insurance for all who work at the track, that eleviates the state or counties from having the cost on their back. It would IMO balance out rates as you would have non risk jobs and high risk pooled together. Insurance rates for horseman are out of control!! Everyday there are trainers going out of business because of the costs... We have paid over 10,000 a year when we were doing all of the work ourselves... and we were not covered if something did happen.

Insurance would be paid off the top before any percentages were delved out. The slots pull in enough money for us to care for ourselves... so why aren't we. The jocks do need to be protected... so do the rest of us who run the risk everyday for hours upon hours.. not just the one and a half minute ride in the afternoon.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Samm

What really should be done at any track that has slots is... Provide insurance for all who work at the track, that eleviates the state or counties from having the cost on their back. It would IMO balance out rates as you would have non risk jobs and high risk pooled together. Insurance rates for horseman are out of control!! Everyday there are trainers going out of business because of the costs... We have paid over 10,000 a year when we were doing all of the work ourselves... and we were not covered if something did happen.

Insurance would be paid off the top before any percentages were delved out. The slots pull in enough money for us to care for ourselves... so why aren't we. The jocks do need to be protected... so do the rest of us who run the risk everyday for hours upon hours.. not just the one and a half minute ride in the afternoon.

That would also have to include a guy who sells a tout sheet by the entrance.

The jockeys are private contractors....they want the good that goes with that but not the bad.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

That would also have to include a guy who sells a tout sheet by the entrance.

The jockeys are private contractors....they want the good that goes with that but not the bad.

We are all private contractors... we all decide what we will and won't do... the trainers are contracted by owners... the help is contracted by trainers.... the jocks are contracted by both and the track is the one who is responsible for the conditions of the workplace! We are all responsible.... now if we could get simulcasting money like the jocks did... why is it just jocks?? We all put on the show and should get adequate insurance for all...

there is a top 10% in each catagory.. owner,trainer, jock, groom... they make money... the rest get scraps!

of course the sheet guy should be covered!! what if a horse ran off the track and ran him over?? just cover everybody!!

[Gander]

How about us degenerate gamblers? Shouldnt we get insurance as well considering we keep the circus going? We are the wheels that keep this train spinning and we get nothing but bad customer service and idiot trainers who publicly say people that bet horses are stupid. Wheres my medical? It could come out of the bets I make.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Gander

How about us degenerate gamblers? Shouldnt we get insurance as well considering we keep the circus going? We are the wheels that keep this train spinning and we get nothing but bad customer service and idiot trainers who publicly say people that bet horses are stupid. Wheres my medical? It could come out of the bets I make.

We should be covered as well.

Originally Posted by Gander

How about us degenerate gamblers? Shouldnt we get insurance as well considering we keep the circus going? We are the wheels that keep this train spinning and we get nothing but bad customer service and idiot trainers who publicly say people that bet horses are stupid. Wheres my medical? It could come out of the bets I make.

Gander.. I agree that there should and could be better relations with the patrons but we are in the front lines... I have suggested things to management of tracks that would be good for PR... like when you get rained out.. hand everyone a simulcast program so they will stay. They just chuckle (which pisses me off!) lol Day rates don't cut it... to properly care for a horse you need 45-50 a day and that would not include the trainers fee. So a trainer gets 60 a day... he/she is only worth 10 bucks a day??? You can't make it on 10 a day! Dunkin Donuts gets more than that a day for breakfast! Yes... trainers get 10% of a win but only one trainer can win a race.