Texas Thoroughbred Forum

[Bedouwia]

Well, I did get a notice that my membership in the TTA was up for renewal. With all that has been going on, I have yet to renew, but will do so this weekend. I have to say that I respect the staff at the TTA and have always found them efficient and helpful. No problems there for me.

It is not unusual for organizations to have nominating committees, and for those committees to seek to find "like minded" and compatible folks to serve on their boards. Sorry, Theo, you do not fit their profile. Sad, but true. They want someone who will support the status quo, not a voice of dissent. If you were not out spoken, and standing up for the opposition, then they would be happy to welcome you into the club.

Change is overdue, but will not come easily. I will join, and vote, but am not sure what my options will be for a board that will truly represent Texas horsemen and horsewomen.

Bedouwia

[Roger]

It looks like the person who did the weeding out of nominees, likes the Dallas area. There is one south of Waco and one stuck way out in Larado. Out of eleven At Large to vote on, that looks like someone is stacking the deck to me.
There is no shame at the TTA.

[jrgators]

I agree with you Vicke, and it's sadly a fact that it's true I would have been more likely 2 years ago to make it, but I'd rather be denied NOW, and be able to stay ture to myself.

I've never been a person that's easily lead, but willing to follow what I believe in.

I agreed with the TTA 2 years ago, I was lied to, and I was MISLEAD. I've today better educated myself, and understand the differences more clearly. I don't have any hatred or anything like that for these guys, but I strongly disagree with the slots or nothing approach, and mentality.

I'm not against slots, I'm just against slots or nothing.

I spoke yesterday with one of the AT Large candidates that I believe to be a lock for a position, and he too is on the slots coolaid, and won't support anythign else. It's sad but it's true, we have been sold out by the special interested group namedINSANITY UNITED!

I am a voice of dissent, and I believe that I'm also very correct. i am going to work tirelessly to get ADW out of the back room, and into the hands of the state legislature. I will go to my grave completely amazed at what I've witnessed over the past 3 or 4 months.

It won't pass, it's not going to get out of committee even, but every breed organization, and the tracks are 100% behind something that's dead! WOW

On this issue I want to be totally wrong! i want to see slots get thru the legislature, and onto the ballot for Nov 2011. I want to see it pass with flying colors. However, if I'm right, and it won't make it to first base, I'm going to pray that some of ya'll can stay around to do this again in 2013, because unfortunately for Theophilus Scales, Jr. and family, I will be out of business and gone away. ADW is not the solution, but it's a damn good band aid, and it's something that will ADD to our situation of spiralling downwards with a move in the upward direction.

God bless you all, and I hope you won all your photo finishes!

Theophilus Scales, Jr.

[Strategic Maneuver]

Dream, please reread my post, it was in reference to your perceived idea that there was manipulation in the nomination of board members based on their time as members and residency.

Can you help me out? I checked back to August, and didn't find anything from you about this subject. I'd love to know what you think.

Thanks,
Theo

Hi Theo,

I was merely pointing out that I did not see "manipulation" in the rules stating that a nominee should be a member of good standing for 2 yrs and a resident of TX. What the nomination committee does after that is anyone's guess. I don't even know who is on it. The TTA board has taken a pretty good bashing on this forum and I respect everyone's right to their opinion, but the members that I know personally are honest hard working people just trying to do the best that they can for an industry they care deeply about. It's no secret that I've been against the slots or nothing program for years and I've put in my two cents to anyone who would listen, but it's my two cents and in the end I just hope for the best for everyone, big dogs and mushroom alike. Also, huge congrats on your marriage!

[jrgators]

Thanks for the congrats!

Also, I have been a resident and a member for the past 4 years. Nobody has said a word to me about why I didn't make the list, but it's all good.

As for the TTA and the folks on the boards, I have no heart burn with the folks on the board, or the TTA in general. But it principle I absolutely do. According to the TTA Directors report dated 10*15 they are supporting slots or nothing again.

So go figure.

[keyranch]

I went to sleep at the switch. The HBPA is looking to open their nomination process. The THP website lists the rules for nomination so appears to be a way to get nominated.

The transcript from the TRC comittee meeting is posted and available for everyone to read. There was certainly some good information presented and some a bit skewed, you can figure out wich is wich. The legislative contacts seam to be quite united in their answers to the polls, and it does stress the need to go into the session with more than a slots or nothing plan.

I keep forgetting to remind folks. Several states that have VLT's or casinos had ADW's first. It is not the history of the world that plan B's end the chance for plan A's for all time. It is just some more misinformation that needs to be cleared up.

The folks in PA, thank you for the following and your support!

[jrgators]

Good morning all,

I have just a few short minutes, but I got something out of the mail box that was so funny, I just had to share this with each of you........

October 20, 2010

Dear TTA Member,

On behalf of the members and Board of Directors of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, please accopt our thanks for your interest in running for a position on the board in the upcoming election.

This year, there was unprecedented interest in seeking one of the five at-large positions, with over 30 names presented to the Nominating Committee for consideration.

While you were not selected as a candidate for this year's elections, we encourage you to remain active in the association and work toward our common goal of improving the Thoroughbred industry in Texas. We also invite you to submit your name for consideration in a future election.

Again, thank you, and please let us know whenever we may be of service to you.

Sincerely,

David Hooper
Executive Director

That's all that they had to say...Not even the decency to address the letter to Theophilus Scales, Jr. Just Dear Member LOL

This thing was funny as heck, and so generic it reminded me of one those reject credit letters. LOL

Hey David, atleast next time tell a person WHY they weren't picked. I already know why I had no shot, Vicke helped paint that picture, but this is so detatched of a letter, and so is this organizatiion, detatched!

I would like to address you last line in the generic letter, "please let us know whenever we may be of service to you"

You can stop supporting slots or nothing! How about that for a starting place!!!

Dear TTA Member,
Theophilus Scales, Jr.

[dlove]

The TTA never had in the past sent out letters to people who were nominated for the board but not approved or accepted and after hearing from several people it was proposed to send out a form letter to these people to 1. Let them know they were considered and 2. Let them know they were or were not selected.

This is part of the communication from the members and from the board I have spoken about so many times in the past. I realize this is a small step but it is a step. I have said the communication must work both ways to get it going.

Instead of you seeing this as a step though you take it as an opportunity to bash Dave. There was simply no reason for that as this again was just a step to try to move forward. Some members of the board asked these be sent out and the TTA crew made it happen. We did not put the reason in the letter but you can call the TTA and I am sure they can give you the reason. Keep in mind a committee brought forward the names. Some were board members and I believe 2 were out right members on the committee, so Dave or the ladies in the TTA had no vote to move someone forward. They simply process and oversee it.

I know I am new to the board and I want to IMPROVE the communication but we have got to work together. Again it is baby steps but it is steps.


Delwin Lovell

[jrgators]

The TTA never had in the past sent out letters to people who were nominated for the board but not approved or accepted and after hearing from several people it was proposed to send out a form letter to these people to 1. Let them know they were considered and 2. Let them know they were or were not selected.

This is part of the communication from the members and from the board I have spoken about so many times in the past. I realize this is a small step but it is a step. I have said the communication must work both ways to get it going.

Instead of you seeing this as a step though you take it as an opportunity to bash Dave. There was simply no reason for that as this again was just a step to try to move forward. Some members of the board asked these be sent out and the TTA crew made it happen. We did not put the reason in the letter but you can call the TTA and I am sure they can give you the reason. Keep in mind a committee brought forward the names. Some were board members and I believe 2 were out right members on the committee, so Dave or the ladies in the TTA had no vote to move someone forward. They simply process and oversee it.

I know I am new to the board and I want to IMPROVE the communication but we have got to work together. Again it is baby steps but it is steps.


Delwin Lovell

Thanks for your response!

First, I thought that it was a good idea to contact folks that didn't make it, and I still feel as though it was not personal, and it should have addressed even in a form type letter, it could have been made to address as individuals.
I find it iteresting that this is a new process. It seems to me that this should have been the process all along. But that's just what I think.

I'm glad you feel like I do about communications. Hopefully you'll also support more transparency in meetings, meeting notifications, attendees, and the like.


As for bashing Dave, I don't agree. I do think that it's funny where our relationship has gone. He doesn't want to speak, won't return my calls, and it's all because of my support for ADW's, and my lack of support of slots or nothing. So I don't think I've bashed him. We don't agree on slots or nothing, and we "HAD" a decent relationship at one time, and I've never backed off how I feel about anything.

I have never felt like "Dave" didn't pass "theo" onto the ballot, and I've never said anything like that. What I do believe sir is that my being a voice of dissent against slots or nothing agenda support is what cost me a chance! That's what I believe. So whatever you hear, or may have thought. That's the reason! I won't sit quietly and support slots or nothing! Won't do it, and will not stop working to make sure every man woman and child in the state of Texas knows that we have ADDITIONAL options to VLT's in the fair circuit, IRM's and ADW's.

I'm going to state this again, I'm NOT against VLT legislation! I am COMPLETLEY AGAINST VLT ONLY LEGISLATION!

The networking done by the associations to bring on board the other breeds, and disciplines was masterful! The Texas horse, and the Texas economy MAY see this thing thru, I JUST DON'T THINK SO! I additionally believe come early summer, if we have NOTHING, we are TOAST! My convictions subsequently will not allow me to sit around and wait on another failed attempt at VLT's and the associations leave us with nothing again.

DLOVE...think about it this way....the race dates thing was rough as heck this year, how bad will it be next year with NOTHIING passed again?

This is bigger than Dave, the tracks, the track assocations, and all the rest for me. This is personal. This is about my surviving this business, and having something to look forward to. It's an error to sit idly by and believe this group that has proven themselves to be dishonest already about a plan B.

I really REALLY hope that VLT's make it, I really do, but dog gone, not all in with 3-7 off suit again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TTA Member,
Theophilus Scales, Jr.

[keyranch]

On the way back from Retama Park last night, the irrelevant horse ran a big race to finish second in the La Senorita, it dawned on me the irony of all the board members of the different boards that were present at the races. It could be viewed as hypocritical, since they spent many months promoting the irrelevance of Texas breds and the only salvation and solution to the problem would be to run a single 60 day meet at Grand Praire. Many of these folks pronounced they could not afford to run for less than 230k a day and even if it meant putting 48% of the Texas horsemen out of bussiness, it was a sacrifice everyone should make and understand because it would only be for a year!

It was last November that meetings to organize the campaign to convince the folks about the impending crisis, and the radical measures that needed to be taken. Who all was involved in these non-secret meetings is a secret and you just have to understand that they are looking out for your best interest. We were also told in certified testimony that they were looking for creative ways to improve the industry at these organized meetings that were not secret. Unfortunately, it must be a secret what was discussed because it has never shown up on any of the associations websites with grand details of the results of these non-secret meetings.

As the Texas trainers idly sit, waiting for the opening of SHRP in Jan, trying to survive with the loss of a couple of months income, they probably have the free time to go over the many proposals that were created in those meetings last winter. Surely the folks that were in those meetings are working hard implementing the new ways to keep these folks from leaving Texas and never coming back. Or, was it simply, their solution is the same creative proposals the invisible tracks and their lobbyists laid out for them a decade ago. How has that worked out for us so far! Where are all those grand suggestions to replace the loss of the irrelevant T-bred racing opportunities that disappeared by the reduction in race dates? I have to assume the same place as the lost opportunities when the dates got reduced each of the past five years.

Elections for the the boards are coming up and the questions that need to be answered, probably will not be. It will not stop us from asking them anyway! Returning board members should publicly state their support and role in the race dates debate so we see where they will stand on the issues next go round. The associations should be showing who voted for what on all the issues since that board member accepted the role as your representative. If we give them the benefit of the doubt, I have been told to do that by respected advisors, then it should be easy for these folks to produce the many votes taken and their stance on all the horsemen's issues. The one paragraph bios of I support all the stuff I am told to support is simply past useless. Can you imagine voting for your state senator or legislator with only that one paragraph to go off of. These folks are not involved in determining our chance to make a living by determining the race dates in this industry, and we are supposed to be happy with these spoon fed choices.

Before you design new posters promoting the incredible influence I have in the world and fax them to untold destinations, give me a call and I can get you list of legislators to send it to and cut out the middle men! I do not think answering questions from your members so they can be posted is an unreasonable request and the many horsemen I visited with last night seam to all be in agreement.

[jrgators]

Well guys, I finally got to make it to the races at RETAMA!! What a good time Charley and I had!

Brian Brown, I want to again commend you guys for what you do at this place! The field size was off the charts, the races were great, they were diverse, and the experience was great again!

Congrats to all associated with the special rate filly that finished 2nd in the La Senorita.

I too hope that the lapse of time without racing will not destroy anymore of our horsemen and women.

Last night at Retama again was fun, and Retama did a good job with this whole meet. The lines, oh yeah, they are still too long, but I did get my bets in this time...well maybe that wasn't a fortunate thing!

[tinners way]

Joe, I will do a little pontificating for you. For those that feel the Texas Bred is irrelevant, they needed to pay close attention to Pattys Pride last evening. Pattys Pride was a fast closing second to Tiger Girl in the El Senorita. For those that missed her last two races, both stakes in Louisiana, Patty is the real deal.

Yes Virginia, Louisiana, Kentucky, and all the other states, we can produce relevant horses in Texas.

Great crowds and full fields for Retama Park. Yes, Texas we can compete. We just have to have tracks, horsemen (and women) committed to breeding a good horse, raising a good horse, training a good horse, and creating an environment for all factions to have the opportunity to succeed.

Sometimes you need to take the blinkers off. It was good to see.

And yes, I am a little prejudiced about Pattys Pride. Unfortunately for all the Texas Breds, we have to take the show on the road for the next 90 days. We need to work to have more race days, and this type of continued success at all the upcoming meets.

Bryan Brown said it best. Full competitive fields drive handle. He has proven it.

[jrgators]

Joe, I will do a little pontificating for you. For those that feel the Texas Bred is irrelevant, they needed to pay close attention to Pattys Pride last evening. Pattys Pride was a fast closing second to Tiger Girl in the El Senorita. For those that missed her last two races, both stakes in Louisiana, Patty is the real deal.

Yes Virginia, Louisiana, Kentucky, and all the other states, we can produce relevant horses in Texas.

Great crowds and full fields for Retama Park. Yes, Texas we can compete. We just have to have tracks, horsemen (and women) committed to breeding a good horse, raising a good horse, training a good horse, and creating an environment for all factions to have the opportunity to succeed.

Sometimes you need to take the blinkers off. It was good to see.

And yes, I am a little prejudiced about Pattys Pride. Unfortunately for all the Texas Breds, we have to take the show on the road for the next 90 days. We need to work to have more race days, and this type of continued success at all the upcoming meets.

Bryan Brown said it best. Full competitive fields drive handle. He has proven it.

Good afternoon Tinner,

Yes, Brian was right! It was a blast there last night, and ABSOLUTELY Texas breds can compete, and will continue to make their presence known wherever that may run!

Hopefully, Brian has demonstrated to some of the others that you put together a good show, and the people will come!

Retama has been looked at often as the step child of the class 1 tracks, well right now IMO they look more like the poster child of how to getter dun!!

Theo

[Roger]

I too spent my weekend at Retama, but my girls reflected their owner trainer's ineptness {sp}. We ran three girls and beat 2 horses . It was nice being with all the slumdogs in the receiving barn. Patty's Pride was their with us. I wish some of the board members would spend some time with us on the backside find out we are real people who love this sport and we expect them to look out for our interest and to listen to our ideas. It was nice to know that they atleast showed up for the big weekend, now if we can get them come talk to those of us who had to work to put on the show. It would be nice to know how many of them started a horse at Retama.

[Bedouwia]

Well, for the first time in a long time, I too got to go to the races. I spent a wonderful two nights attending the races at Retama Park.

The fields were full, and the crowd on Saturday was great and appeared to be having a good time, although the betting windows were over crowded? I had a chance to visit with a lot of old friends and meet some new ones. Personally, I can't see why Retama would not have profited from another month of racing?

One thing I did notice is that too many trainers now appear to be the owners of the horses that were running. I suspect this is a sad result of owners giving up the game? I think that we can all agree that we need more support for breeders, owners, and trainers here in Texas. The bread and butter races that we depend upon are not really the few big stakes events, which draw outside talent. I loved watching the two stakes races, and was impressed by the quality of the runners -- but that cannot be the only thing on the menu. I think that Retama had a good balance of the two attractions in their program. Just my opinion.

Bedouwia

P.S. I too received a letter telling me that I was not a successful nominee for the TTA Board. It was a surprise, since I did not even know that I was under consideration. LOL