- Headlines a Pause for Racing's Future
By Steve Byk
With the year end fast approaching, typically a time for reflection on the most positive recollections of the annum, it's difficult to look back at horse racing in 2006 with much cheer. Recent headlines continue to dog the game we love and there is increasing cause for concern that there is little being done at the highest reaches of the sport to stem the tide of negativity.
A scathing December 10 investigative report in the Orange County Register condemned California racing as rife with drug-addled horses, $250 million dollars worth of wagering on races that featured 'positives' (since 2000) and a state agency handcuffed by budget restraints to affect change...
Conditioners Steve Asmussen, Scott Lake, Cole Norman and Todd Pletcher, annually at the top of the trainers' standing in races won (#1, #2, #4 and #5 in 2004 for instance), each are involved in various drug positive and/or suspension-related headlines as the season ends...
The Miami Herald continues to report on the deteriorating physical condition of National Landmark Hialeah Park, the recent demolition of its' moss-draped stables, the lack of a public outcry, and owner John Brunetti's impossible position to turn the tide...
In New York, outgoing Governor George Pataki sits poised to rubber stamp the legislature's approval of the decision on the future stewardship of the state's three storied racetracks amidst reports of incoming Governor Elliot Spitzer's cozy relationship with executives of the leading candidate for the job...
The brief careers of 2006 headline sophomores Bernardini, Henny Hughes, Bluegrass Cat and several other lightly-raced horses, has generated the annual protestations of fans that the breeding side of the game is the "tale wagging the dog", with revenue at stud clearly outweighing glory on the track among the alleged "sporting set".
And in a further perversion of the aesthetics and legacy of the game, reports about synthetic racetrack surfaces and video lottery terminals dominate trade publications, websites and fan forums, as opposed to stories on the exploits of the animals and humans who are the true interest of those of us that put money through the wickets.
While industry organizations and steering groups, like the recent annual University of Arizona Racetrack Management Program Symposium, work earnestly to address the issues above that challenge racing's future, there remains on an ongoing basis no viable and far-reaching apparatus in place to affect the changes that thoughtful industry supporters continually proffer.
The NTRA, Jockey Club, TOBA, and all other well-intentioned industry organizations, are powerless to accomplish anything that resembles true progress against the objectives so many racing authorities agree need to be addressed. How can a sport populated and championed by so many wealthy and smart individuals continue to allow indifference, greed, petty jealousies and outright nefariousness eat away at the foundation of America's first and grandest sport?
More and more, it appears that the race fan community is the only group involved in the game that cares about its' future. Fans continue to bet. They continue to come to the track on important race days. They argue passionately on websites and on call-in radio or TV shows about the horses and sport they love.
Though the racing-dedicatee's appetite for the game fails to wane, those who are entrusted with the sport's precious legacy are failing us. Until there is a distinct and universally-recognized entity in racing empowered to authoritatively affect change with sweeping resolve, we will face the continual erosion of the game's beauty, pageant, quality and integrity.
Steve Byk founded Derby Trail in 2003, is a contributor to The Blood-Horse and co-host of "At the Races and Beyond" on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. He can be reached at sbyk@nycap.rr.com