After @PatCummingsNTA and I watched Everett Dobson talk about “unity” and “collaboration” at the HBPA Conference, I said to Pat… you know what, let’s give this one last real shot.
So we did.
I had my attorneys send a letter to the @jockeyclub attorneys.
Not complicated.
Sit down. One room. One full day.
Let’s put everything on the table and actually fix this sport.
We gave them 48 hours to respond.
It’s now been over a week.
Crickets. 🦗
No response.
No respect.
No interest.
Sadly, it’s exactly what I expected.
Here’s what we offered…
All the Stewards.
Jim Gagliano.
Me.
Pat Cummings.
Aron Wellman.
And a real group of industry leaders across every part of the sport… track operators, trainers, aftercare, breeders, etc.
One full day.
No hiding.
No excuses.
No bullshit.
If all that talk about “unity” meant anything…this is an automatic yes.
But it’s not.
Because they don’t want unity.
They don’t want collaboration.
They don’t want transparency.
They want control.
They want silence.
They want the same broken system that’s been dragging this sport down for decades.
So let me be crystal clear…
This was it.
The last good faith effort.
They ignored it.
Now we move forward…and we’re going on offense at a whole different level.
If there’s any real media left in this sport that actually gives a damn, ask the @jockeyclub why they’re afraid to sit in a room and answer real questions from real people???
This has been going on for 3+ years.
I’m not going anywhere.
This fight is for all of us.
What do you think???
Tonight's John Battaglia Memorial at @TurfwayPark is named in honor of a great leader in horse racing.
To learn more about John Battaglia and his legacy, enjoy this article from The Lexington Leader that was published more than four decades ago.
Sure, I didn't have a real camera, it was dark and rainy, and this photo from 1979 ain't good. But the moment was!
GENERAL ASSEMBLY won the 1979 Travers by 15 lengths in a track record 2:00.
I most remember staying out all day, inc. under plastic, to keep a spot on the rail.😆
Punter's Alert:
Turfway Park has moved their scheduled Post Time back to 1:00 PM for the Wednesday & Thursday cards. Don't get shut out - Pick-3s will be paying off like lottery tickets.
(Don't say we didn't warn you!)
Indian Charlie Factoid: While the new paddock at Keeneland is fantastic and very fan-friendly, an informant who wishes to remain nameless (Frankie Dettori), tells us that the new jock's room at Keeneland is so small, even the valets have to get in the hotbox to work in there!
With his win in the 6th Race on Friday, Rusty Arnold became the winningest all-time leading trainer in the history of Keeneland, breaking the tie with Hall of Fame trainer, Bill "El Chapo" Mott!