The Hialeah Casino Situation and Other Venting

Merlinsky · #1 06-20-2010, 07:44 PM

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...hialeah-casino

I might be overreacting. Wouldn't be the first time. I'm passionate so pardon the soapboxing that's about to happen. Okay, this is yet another example of aggressive self-defense on the part of Calder (sometimes Gulfstream gets in on it obviously). Can't say I'd blame them if it was really a battle for financial success that required an either/or, them/us, eat/be eaten situation. It feels to me like a continued cannibalization where one group feels like they have to keep another down in this sport. If I'm wrong I'd love to know how, but it's a microcosm for me that is just infuriating and sad. A straw broke the camel's back when I read this article and I'm trying to keep my temper from getting away from me.

I just want the Hialeah I imagined as a kid. Maybe it's not gonna happen, I don't know. Better informed people that me know about slots, winter dates, political drama, and other things that affect racing in Florida, New York, Kentucky, Maryland, etc. What I can speak to is how I sat with my Walter Farley books, and I read about the flamingos in the infield, and I got the picture of a track that was magic. I've heard arguments about the neighborhood Hialeah's in not doing it favors or how people would love to see Brunetti go down in flames. Reasons Hialeah could never be like it was. Finley wrote this article about him here: http://espn.go.com/horse/columns/misc/1540436.html They see him as causing more harm than good. I just don't know what to do besides throw a tantrum about 'what can't mommy and daddy stop fighting?' We're the kids caught in the middle here. They're not doing what's in our best interest and I'm so angry I can't see straight.

Helping each other makes us stronger, not weaker, because it's hard enough in this world for a fan of horse racing without factions within tearing us apart. I think it's big enough in this town for everybody. I think, done right, there's enough money to go around, and there's no reason we couldn't get even more in this sport by banding together. There's not a land of milk and honey, but c'mon it could so easily be better than it is. There's a saying that "the true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Does nobody think about the future of anything that doesn't involve their own immediate selfish needs? I'm in a really foul mood when someone--Brunetti, Calder, whoever--does something to keep us from what we could be. I'm mad at NY, I'm mad at KY, I'm mad at CA, I'm mad at FL, I'm mad at MD, and really whoever else that needs to be yelled at. Governments, tracks, anybody.. To people determined to be roadblocks when they could be facilitators of great things: Stop it, just stop it. You're behaving like children. Right now, I feel like this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WINDt...eature=related

There, soapbox done. If I'm out of turn on anything, please tell me so, gently as you can because if you're right, I promise I come around eventually. I really love this sport, and I'm pissed. As injustices go, I know there've been far worse than what set me off today, but I really needed to vent. If you've made it to the end of this post and not felt the need to jerk me up and tell me how I'm a fool, congratulations. If you do want to tell me I'm a fool, go right ahead and do that too. Wouldn't be the first time I've had to sit and eat my plate full of crow. I appreciate your time.

MISTERGEE · #2 06-20-2010, 08:00 PM

I would love to see Hialeah reopen but isnt this just normal reaction of a competitor. Calder obviously does not want to chop up the pie anymore than it is.

Merlinsky · #3 06-20-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MISTERGEE

I would love to see Hialeah reopen but isnt this just normal reaction of a competitor. Calder obviously does not want to chop up the pie anymore than it is.

Making Hialeah less than what it could be is their idea of a good thing. That can do nothing but make the pie smaller because it diminishes something we should all see thriving. People come to the sport, and bet, because of what Hialeah has going for it at its best. Calder's got a one-track mind, pun intended. Nobody likes what they do more just because there's less competition. You earn your place in this world, and Calder needs to make it or break it because of what they bring to the table. Do right by the sport and by the public, you'll be amazed how profit can come your way.

tector · #4 06-20-2010, 11:49 PM

Earth to Merlinsky:

Hialeah has nothing to do with racing any more and never will. Grow up already--Santa Claus is not coming to town.

Signed,

The Rest of the World

hoovesupsideyourhead · #5 06-21-2010, 07:16 AM

i think they will get it done.calder will be shot down on this. the people in tally dont like being told they can /cant do. they will have a few t breds and make a big deal about it. then try and get racing t bred dates..lets face it gulf stream is done after the fla derby and calder is way to long.imo

The Devil · #6 06-21-2010, 09:10 AM

Don't forget who owns Calder.

Merlinsky · #7 06-21-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tector

Earth to Merlinsky:

Hialeah has nothing to do with racing any more and never will. Grow up already--Santa Claus is not coming to town.

Signed,

The Rest of the World

The Rest of the World to tector,

We don't pay attention to horse racing like we used to and think OTBs are for dirty old ne'er do wells. Maybe racing should do something different than it's been doing, like finding a way to screw up anything it has going for it. Boy wasn't that Seabiscuit movie good? Loved the book too. We sure do respond to horses, human stories, romance and excitement. We'll pay $10 for a ticket to a movie about horse racing and $20 for the dvd. If you did it the right way, we'd put that money down on a bet and watch a real race. Shame about that air of desperation and "can't or won't do" attitude some of you guys have.

Signed,
People That Avoid the Actual Sport and the Gambling That Supports It Cuz It Shoots Itself in the Foot on a Regular Basis, Unless the Kentucky Derby is on TV or There's a Triple Crown on the Line

MISTERGEE · #8 06-21-2010, 04:12 PM

Calder would probably already be closed if it wasnt for the infusion of slots and poker $

tector · #9 06-21-2010, 11:30 PM

If you want to see the future of thoroughbred racing at Hialeah, check out AC.

If that gives you a boner, then you are truly hard up for the days of yore, which are dead dead dead.

Merlinsky · #10 06-22-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tector

If you want to see the future of thoroughbred racing at Hialeah, check out AC.

If that gives you a boner, then you are truly hard up for the days of yore, which are dead dead dead.

As Steve said on ATR, the tracks act as entities unto themselves. This is about Calder making a decision that affects them--sure, a lot of businesses do it and really how can you blame them? Doesn't make it right, and doesn't mean it's the direction we need to continue to go as a sport. The tracks need to be working together where they all succeed, and instead, as I said earlier, it's cannibalization. I don't believe it diminishes their opportunities for financial success to support other racetracks, I think it increases it, and I think they're fools to continue to be so isolationist.

Is this really about looking back to the days of yore, or is it about looking to the future? This isn't just about one track. It's an industry wide issue. One track looking at another track as an enemy. It's a symptom of a greater problem. It just happens to involve Hialeah, and if you have to have a poster child, why not this one? Sure there are issues of Hialeah's own making, but sure seems like a lot of outside forces are determined to step in to give them a good shove whenever possible.