Franchise Delay Hangs Over Trainers

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

One thing, though, and believe me I say this with no malice. I feel for the hardships of the trainers you described, however, when the horsemen's group backed Empire they spoke for the horsemen. Now, I understand that some ( perhaps even many ) did not feel they were speaking for them. However, why did they not speak out publicly then? If they had really looked carefully at Empire they certainly would have known that was the wrong horse to back.

I think Fearless Leader is dead on with the statement that the majority of the horsemen never supported Empire - and that the horsemen were never advised that an endorsement of a franchise bidder was even being considered, let alone that it would be the obviously-flawed Empire. That was a backroom NYTHA Board decision in which several of the Board members who had personal stakes in Empire (Bomze, Finley and others) used their positions on the NYTHA Board for their own personal benefit, despite the conflicts of interest attendant to any vote to endorse one bidder over another.

As for the question as to why the majority of horsemen who have long supported NYRA didn't speak publicly out against Empire, I guess it depends on one's perspective. Some might call it cowardice. Others might simply view it as economic realism. Let's not forget that, in the summer of 2006, despite its now-revealed flaws, many viewed Empire as the strong favorite to win the Ad Hoc Committee recommendation - and the franchise itself. To publicly speak out against that organization at that time would not be done without some potential peril to one's position in racing.

[blackthroatedwind]

We will have to agree to disagree that there was ever a time that Empire was even in the starting gate. Honestly, anyone that took five minutes to read up on them knew all of the things you said to be true from the very beginning and never gave even a serious moment's thought to a group headed by Richard Bomze getting anywhere close to the franchise. That's even crazier than thinking an idiot could become President of the United States!

Fearless Leader, and you, are obviously right. However, sadly sometimes people learn the hard way the importance of speaking up for themselves and doing what is right even under perceived difficult circumstances. I imagine with the benefit of hindsight more than a few people would have acted differently.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

We will have to agree to disagree that there was ever a time that Empire was even in the starting gate. Honestly, anyone that took five minutes to read up on them knew all of the things you said to be true from the very beginning and never gave even a serious moment's thought to a group headed by Richard Bomze getting anywhere close to the franchise. That's even crazier than thinking an idiot could become President of the United States!

Fearless Leader, and you, are obviously right. However, sadly sometimes people learn the hard way the importance of speaking up for themselves and doing what is right even under perceived difficult circumstances. I imagine with the benefit of hindsight more than a few people would have acted differently.

Very well put.....I agree totally with that statement. Showing backbone and voicing your opinion even when the "powers to be" think they have your best interest and they're dead wrong, shows a lot of guts and demands respect.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

Very well put.....I agree totally with that statement. Showing backbone and voicing your opinion even when the "powers to be" think they have your best interest and they're dead wrong, shows a lot of guts and demands respect.

Except it goes against the entire culture of horseracing. This business absolutely cuts down people who stand against the group thinking unless they have a lot of money which makes everything they do ok. The majority of trainers in NY rely on the track to provide them a place of business and have to remain fairly neutral to all positions in regard to who was going to be in charge in the future. Though many of us felt Empire was never going to get the franchise, there was a time where they had a pretty strong group and a lot of momentum. If I was a NY trainer I may have been a little spooked to make strong public statements especially if I did not have any powerful owners to back me up.

[Linny]

Agreed Cannon. The problem was that the "administration" of the NYTHA backed and in fact became a part of Empire, but the rank and file generally did not. You are right in that the trainers just want a safe, decent environment in which they may make a living. They want what horsemen want, good purses, good maintainence and to be able to fill a good condition book. There were many less powerful trainers with no huge owners who had opinions but dared not give them voice. Who could blame them. If they came out as anti-NYRA, they could be treated pretty badly now and in the future if NYRA gets renewed.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Linny

Agreed Cannon. The problem was that the "administration" of the NYTHA backed and in fact became a part of Empire, but the rank and file generally did not. You are right in that the trainers just want a safe, decent environment in which they may make a living. They want what horsemen want, good purses, good maintainence and to be able to fill a good condition book. There were many less powerful trainers with no huge owners who had opinions but dared not give them voice. Who could blame them. If they came out as anti-NYRA, they could be treated pretty badly now and in the future if NYRA gets renewed.

But they did come out anti-NYRA.

Their decision was to accept that or speak their minds going on two years ago. They accepted the anti-NYRA stance and are now in a precarious position, not because NYRA is treating them badly, but because they backed an organization that screwed them....an organization that anyone who objectively looked at the situation knew was a dead horse.

They handicapped the race badly.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

But they did come out anti-NYRA.

Their decision was to accept that or speak their minds going on two years ago. They accepted the anti-NYRA stance and are now in a precarious position, not because NYRA is treating them badly, but because they backed an organization that screwed them....an organization that anyone who objectively looked at the situation knew was a dead horse.

They handicapped the race badly.

Very few actually "back" them any more than a regular citizen backs the govt official who represents your area. Hell you may not have even voted for them but he/she represents you regardless.