Lou Raffetto Leaving MD J.C.

[phystech]

Prior to Colonial opening, MD ran year round. When Colonial opened, MD racing stopped to support racing there. When this occurred, it was a major deal for the horsemen who had fought for years to run year round so they wouldn't have to move from track to track. If you were here, and saw the fight, you'd understand what a big deal shutting down for two months was for MD horsemen.

Frankly, it is one of the big fights that continues today. I've said for years that MD needs to run less days and work a circuit with Delpark, and to a lesser extent, Colonial. We don't have the cash to support the current number of racing days and purses have been cut enough. But many of the horsemen fight for more racing days and are willing to diluted purses just so they don't have to go on the road. Without a new source for purse money, cutting our purses any more will destroy what little resemblence to decent racing we have left.

And Dragone should have known we don't run year round here considering what a sensitive issue it is. It doesn't instill confidence in me when I see someone misspeak right off the bat. His job priority is to gain the trust of the horsemen in MD, not show that he isn't paying attention to detail.

Then again, Hatchet-men don't worry about that stuff.....