[Kasept]

INTRODUCING "DEE TEE STABLES" RACING PARTNERSHIP: I'm pleased to announce that Derby Trail, at the suggestion of Hooves and in partnership with trainer Chuck Simon (Cannon Shell), is forming a racing partnership. Chuck, who runs his strings at Saratoga, Churchill, Turfway and Fairgrounds, is the perfect guy for all of us to get into a partnership with, given his long history of success.

His choice of racing venues will give Derby Trailers in nearly every part of the country the opportunity to come to the track and be part of the ownership experience; his ability to pick out sale or claiming horses offers us a way into the game at any level depending on the amount of Derby Trailers that get involoved; His record of success and integrity is unquestionable, and he's about as fun a guy to be around as there is in the game...

Details will be forthcoming, but the partnership will be a closed end style deal with shares offered in horses for a one-time, flat rate buy-in per horse, likely $500 per share, to cover the acquisition of the runners. Chuck will handle the training expenses and receive 50% of all purses as compensation for his costs.

This is a terrific way to get into horse ownership, and most importantly, should be a tremendous amount of fun for all of us. We aren't looking to win the Derby, but hope to simply have a great time and bring as many Derby Trailers into the game at a reasonable cost as possible. More information will follow, but we hope to have the initial share offering completed by January 15.

Look for a thread to be started in the Paddock, or a Room opened, to keep everyone informed about the development of Dee Tee Stables...


SERVER UPGRADE: The switch to a VPS (Virtual Personal Server) from the current "shared" server, is happening as we "speak". The move should take place in next 48-72 hours and will end the "site unavailable" problems that have been happening too frequently the last few weeks. The move to a VPS increases the cost of running the site by nearly $1,000/year, so I invite members to buy a Derby Trail hat to help me defray the cost.


DERBY TRAIL.COM SWAG: In addition to the popular DT cap, I am putting together the Derby Trail "store", as our embroiderer (Impressive Imprints, Glens Falls) has some really nice things to offer with the snappy logo (Sweatshirts, Jackets, Stadium Blankets, Briefcase; more..). Am going to introduce screen printed t-shirts as well...


ROOM CHANGES: We made a few changes the last day or so to the Forum rooms.

1.) OFF TOPIC-GENERAL & ESOTERIC CENTRAL: Given the vitriolic nature of certain topics, we've made the original "General" O/T Room into a Politics/Social Issue ONLY forum. All the threads about Film, Music, TV, etc.. are being moved to 'Esoteric Central'... Please start "fun" threads there and leave the incendiary stuff to the Politics/Society room. We do not want to censor anyone's social/political views, but will continue to remove or edit anything that is in our opinion is hateful, injurious, actionable or specifically directed with malice towards other community members. (And that policy applies Forum-wide).

2.) POLYTRACK ROOM SHUTTERED: Given that synthetic surface discussion has become less overwhelming and ridiculous, we closed the "PolyTrack" Room and put its' 31 threads back into the Paddock. Obviously, the artificial surfaces aren't going anywhere, and the Poly Room had served its' purpose...


AVATARS, PROFILES & "GUESTS": We've added another 10-12 avatars to the system, and invite everyone to visit their "User CP" and add one to their banner. You can of course "Browse" for an avatar within your own computer as well.

While adding an avatar, take a few minutes and flesh out your Profiles as well. You can tell fellow Derby Trailers about yourself (Hometown, Bio, Interests, Vocation, Fave racetrack) and add a profile photo as well...

50% of Forum readers continue to be "lurkers", and I urge those that are visiting to register... Those of you reading this that aren't members, and you know who you are, can obviously see how much fun DTers are having, and I can tell you that great friendships have developed among members. We're still awaiting our first engagement announcement, but I anticipate that somewhere along the line! So register!