Texas Thoroughbred Forum
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
To the Queen.
Welcome to our little conversation. I am horrified that you have been experiencing such terrible threats. That is never acceptable. I hope you will continue to visit us and perhaps read some of our comments.
You might be interested in a bit of our history? We once had a TTA forum where we discussed racing, pedigrees, and other common interests. That was shut down, so some of us moved here. Sadly, too many of that enthusiastic group are now gone from Texas racing. (Angelsprite, Brian Willis, etc.) Now, we learn that even more of us have quit or are quitting Texas racing. So, you see, we too are threatened. Our investments, dreams, efforts, and theories have been under constant attack for the last ten years. Why are you surprised that so many of us have lost all confidence in our leadership? Assets and energy have been mis-spent on the slots agenda, with no benefit to Texas racing or breeding Texas bred thoroughbreds. Promises of a "Plan B" have never materialized.
Your personal attacks on Joe Kerby are mis-directed. Just because he has not raced horses in his own name does not mean that he has not contributed a great deal to Texas racing. You might not be aware that Key Ranch has been involved in breeding several Texas champions that have done our state proud. His knowledge of racing and breeding is nationally recognized -- even if you seem to be unaware of it. Joe presented a lot of facts to the Racing Commission, that you appear to want to ignore.
Maybe you can learn something from this forum? Or maybe you will run away? In either case, be aware that many of us are determined to work for a future for Texas racing in which we can somehow survive. You can help us, or get out of the way.
Bedouwia
Welcome to our little conversation. I am horrified that you have been experiencing such terrible threats. That is never acceptable. I hope you will continue to visit us and perhaps read some of our comments.
You might be interested in a bit of our history? We once had a TTA forum where we discussed racing, pedigrees, and other common interests. That was shut down, so some of us moved here. Sadly, too many of that enthusiastic group are now gone from Texas racing. (Angelsprite, Brian Willis, etc.) Now, we learn that even more of us have quit or are quitting Texas racing. So, you see, we too are threatened. Our investments, dreams, efforts, and theories have been under constant attack for the last ten years. Why are you surprised that so many of us have lost all confidence in our leadership? Assets and energy have been mis-spent on the slots agenda, with no benefit to Texas racing or breeding Texas bred thoroughbreds. Promises of a "Plan B" have never materialized.
Your personal attacks on Joe Kerby are mis-directed. Just because he has not raced horses in his own name does not mean that he has not contributed a great deal to Texas racing. You might not be aware that Key Ranch has been involved in breeding several Texas champions that have done our state proud. His knowledge of racing and breeding is nationally recognized -- even if you seem to be unaware of it. Joe presented a lot of facts to the Racing Commission, that you appear to want to ignore.
Maybe you can learn something from this forum? Or maybe you will run away? In either case, be aware that many of us are determined to work for a future for Texas racing in which we can somehow survive. You can help us, or get out of the way.
Bedouwia
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keyranch
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- Contact:
Presented to the TRC
Thank you for allowing me to present the views of the horsemen to the racing commission.
The three most common themes expressed by the horsemen time and again in all the public meetings are the desire to have racing opportunity, to invest our limited purses in such a way as to generate the biggest return, and that the majority of horsemen are not represented by the major breeds associations. Over the last decade the horsemen have given up 34% of racing opportunity. They were told this was for the good of the industry, or because the tracks were going broke, or because of slots in surrounding states, or because we had to sacrifice now to avert a crisis. They were not told that their industry was being manipulated to achieve slots or casino legislation in the state of Texas.
In the final race dates proposal that was negotiated and signed off on by the associations, again the horsemen are asked to sacrifice racing opportunity without any justification at Lone Star Park. A thirteen percent reduction in racing opportunity to achieve a mythical average purse level of 180k/day was rubber stamped by the associations. What is the justification for this sacrifice by the Texas horsemen; Lone Star has positive EBIDA during live racing and their attendance and handle was very good considering the national economy at the time. They certainly are well run and have the operational money. The only notable drop in Lone Stars statistical performance this past season was the drop in the sale of their signal. The only explanations were self serving comments about field size and the quality of horses, and field size dropped .4 horses and the quality was the same as the previous year. No viable explanation was given for this mysterious drop.
Considerable comments have been made throughout the course of these hearings about Monmouth Park and their big gamble on consolidating purses and dates. They generated all kinds of press and had a major impact on the industry and on race tracks that went head to head with them like Lone Star Park. A large proportion of the drop in the signal sales absolutely coordinates with the opening of Monmouth Park, and the huge amount of publicity they generated in their million dollars a day meet. Lone Star could have taken advantage of the situation and moved to night racing to use Monmouth as a lead in, but they chose to stay as scheduled because as Mr. Shubeck noted Lone Star made more money with the higher attendance. Lone Star made the decision, not the horsemen and certainly not the associations to give up purse money so that Lone Stars bottom line stayed good. If we give the benefit of the doubt to Lone Star then they may not have realized the impact that Monmouth would have on their signal at the time. They do know it now and with Monmouth not able to repeat their experiment you can safely assume Lone Star will recover to the previous year’s level of revenue.
The second indicator of increased purses at Lone Star is the change in ownership, and there has never been any doubt that this will be a success. Remington Park has seen a 46% increase in simulcast numbers since Global took over. With these two changes already in the making there is no doubt that Lone Star and the associations should have a reasonable expectation to raise purses to the 230k mark at 52 days. Unfortunately this will not create more racing opportunity for Texas horsemen and that can occur at 60 to 65 days at around 170k/day.
The bait and switch concept of deceit that Lone Star and the Associations are attempting is not only dishonest; it is flat out insulting to all the folks that put in untold hours at the request of the commission to present solutions and not just complaints. They were honest brokers in attempting to solve some very serious industry problems. The increase in 2011 purse revenue should be tied to additional race day’s at all three tracks. Purses should be capped at Lone Star at 150k/day until the 65 day meet can be reached and then applied to additional average purse per day. It is not about a few chosen owners and trainers it is about what is best for the industry as a whole and that concept has been lost on the associations and the racetracks. The purse money belongs to the horsemen and again the associations have failed to do due diligence in protecting their interest.
The simple fact is that we generate more purse money, tax revenue, and local economic impact through live racing and we should be in the business of providing live racing opportunity to the horsemen, patrons, and state. The loss of those eight days has a ripple effect through the industry and simply cannot be justified. The additional 30k/day will not generate enough additional live handle, simulcast, or ADW revenue to replace the purse money lost by not having those eight days of racing.
Horsemen’s wishes were again ignored in this process to the point that the full board of the TTA was not made aware of the agreement until after it was done. The process is flawed because the associations are flawed and until they are held to the some standard of accountability, their representation of the horsemen should be considered vacated. I would like to make a formal request at this time the TRC open an investigation into the major breed associations to determine what can be done to correct this situation. The horsemen have no choice but to plead our case to the commission and hope you will represent us until changes can be made. We simply ask that caps be in place so that purse generating race days can be maintained or extended to maintain the industry. The loss of 39 thoroughbred race days will again diminish the purse generating capacity of the industry and force the downward spiral promoted by the associations and the racetracks to achieve a political end.
Thank you for allowing me to present the views of the horsemen to the racing commission.
The three most common themes expressed by the horsemen time and again in all the public meetings are the desire to have racing opportunity, to invest our limited purses in such a way as to generate the biggest return, and that the majority of horsemen are not represented by the major breeds associations. Over the last decade the horsemen have given up 34% of racing opportunity. They were told this was for the good of the industry, or because the tracks were going broke, or because of slots in surrounding states, or because we had to sacrifice now to avert a crisis. They were not told that their industry was being manipulated to achieve slots or casino legislation in the state of Texas.
In the final race dates proposal that was negotiated and signed off on by the associations, again the horsemen are asked to sacrifice racing opportunity without any justification at Lone Star Park. A thirteen percent reduction in racing opportunity to achieve a mythical average purse level of 180k/day was rubber stamped by the associations. What is the justification for this sacrifice by the Texas horsemen; Lone Star has positive EBIDA during live racing and their attendance and handle was very good considering the national economy at the time. They certainly are well run and have the operational money. The only notable drop in Lone Stars statistical performance this past season was the drop in the sale of their signal. The only explanations were self serving comments about field size and the quality of horses, and field size dropped .4 horses and the quality was the same as the previous year. No viable explanation was given for this mysterious drop.
Considerable comments have been made throughout the course of these hearings about Monmouth Park and their big gamble on consolidating purses and dates. They generated all kinds of press and had a major impact on the industry and on race tracks that went head to head with them like Lone Star Park. A large proportion of the drop in the signal sales absolutely coordinates with the opening of Monmouth Park, and the huge amount of publicity they generated in their million dollars a day meet. Lone Star could have taken advantage of the situation and moved to night racing to use Monmouth as a lead in, but they chose to stay as scheduled because as Mr. Shubeck noted Lone Star made more money with the higher attendance. Lone Star made the decision, not the horsemen and certainly not the associations to give up purse money so that Lone Stars bottom line stayed good. If we give the benefit of the doubt to Lone Star then they may not have realized the impact that Monmouth would have on their signal at the time. They do know it now and with Monmouth not able to repeat their experiment you can safely assume Lone Star will recover to the previous year’s level of revenue.
The second indicator of increased purses at Lone Star is the change in ownership, and there has never been any doubt that this will be a success. Remington Park has seen a 46% increase in simulcast numbers since Global took over. With these two changes already in the making there is no doubt that Lone Star and the associations should have a reasonable expectation to raise purses to the 230k mark at 52 days. Unfortunately this will not create more racing opportunity for Texas horsemen and that can occur at 60 to 65 days at around 170k/day.
The bait and switch concept of deceit that Lone Star and the Associations are attempting is not only dishonest; it is flat out insulting to all the folks that put in untold hours at the request of the commission to present solutions and not just complaints. They were honest brokers in attempting to solve some very serious industry problems. The increase in 2011 purse revenue should be tied to additional race day’s at all three tracks. Purses should be capped at Lone Star at 150k/day until the 65 day meet can be reached and then applied to additional average purse per day. It is not about a few chosen owners and trainers it is about what is best for the industry as a whole and that concept has been lost on the associations and the racetracks. The purse money belongs to the horsemen and again the associations have failed to do due diligence in protecting their interest.
The simple fact is that we generate more purse money, tax revenue, and local economic impact through live racing and we should be in the business of providing live racing opportunity to the horsemen, patrons, and state. The loss of those eight days has a ripple effect through the industry and simply cannot be justified. The additional 30k/day will not generate enough additional live handle, simulcast, or ADW revenue to replace the purse money lost by not having those eight days of racing.
Horsemen’s wishes were again ignored in this process to the point that the full board of the TTA was not made aware of the agreement until after it was done. The process is flawed because the associations are flawed and until they are held to the some standard of accountability, their representation of the horsemen should be considered vacated. I would like to make a formal request at this time the TRC open an investigation into the major breed associations to determine what can be done to correct this situation. The horsemen have no choice but to plead our case to the commission and hope you will represent us until changes can be made. We simply ask that caps be in place so that purse generating race days can be maintained or extended to maintain the industry. The loss of 39 thoroughbred race days will again diminish the purse generating capacity of the industry and force the downward spiral promoted by the associations and the racetracks to achieve a political end.
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keyranch
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This (above) is what I presented to the TRC on the 9-14 meeting. All the committee transcripts are now posted for everyone to see. Look them over very carefully and see the condescending arrogance of your representatives on these boards.
The TRC said they had no complaints about the behavior of the associations. Mine may have been the first one, it is time for each of you to look at those transcripts and e-mail the TRC to either support the actions of your representatives or file a formal complaint.
The issues I see most important are:
1) Total lack of transparency
2) Total lack of accountability
3) Total lack of communication with members.
4) Board member selection and for the TTA the concept of an excecutive committee for total rule is disturbing
5) No meetings posted in a timely fashion
This is just a few and I am sure this list can be added on to for a few days. Now is the time to clean up this mess!
These are the folks that spent six months of meetings to come up with a plan to eliminate 48% of your racing opportunity! If we can not get some results from the TRC we will take it to the legislature to plead our case, we can not allow this to happen again to the horsemen of Texas! Bussiness as usual is not acceptable and it is time to have a mushroom party to get things turned around!
The TRC said they had no complaints about the behavior of the associations. Mine may have been the first one, it is time for each of you to look at those transcripts and e-mail the TRC to either support the actions of your representatives or file a formal complaint.
The issues I see most important are:
1) Total lack of transparency
2) Total lack of accountability
3) Total lack of communication with members.
4) Board member selection and for the TTA the concept of an excecutive committee for total rule is disturbing
5) No meetings posted in a timely fashion
This is just a few and I am sure this list can be added on to for a few days. Now is the time to clean up this mess!
These are the folks that spent six months of meetings to come up with a plan to eliminate 48% of your racing opportunity! If we can not get some results from the TRC we will take it to the legislature to plead our case, we can not allow this to happen again to the horsemen of Texas! Bussiness as usual is not acceptable and it is time to have a mushroom party to get things turned around!
The THP's monthly or quarterly news letter is up.
www.texashorsemen.com/PDFs/THNsept10.pdf
I'm glad that they were always on our side during this dates discussion. "thats my attempt at sarcassum {sp}" Make sure you look at the Queen's letter to the membership. She has a lot of respect for our intellegence and memories "sarcassum again.
I have dial-up and things are slow on this computer, but I need some help from all of you to help fight these and future attachs on the Mushrooms. We have them running when they attach us. What I want to do is for all us to start reading through the three or four transcrips of the TxRC meetings and look for direct quotes that we can compile to share with the commission proving that we sold out by our organizations and to show them where the tracks lied to them. I want to post these here and I will put them together and post them at the tracks and get them sent to the TxRC. I really need your help! All of you!!!
www.txrc.state.tx.us/agency/meetings/CommitteesWG.php
www.texashorsemen.com/PDFs/THNsept10.pdf
I'm glad that they were always on our side during this dates discussion. "thats my attempt at sarcassum {sp}" Make sure you look at the Queen's letter to the membership. She has a lot of respect for our intellegence and memories "sarcassum again.
I have dial-up and things are slow on this computer, but I need some help from all of you to help fight these and future attachs on the Mushrooms. We have them running when they attach us. What I want to do is for all us to start reading through the three or four transcrips of the TxRC meetings and look for direct quotes that we can compile to share with the commission proving that we sold out by our organizations and to show them where the tracks lied to them. I want to post these here and I will put them together and post them at the tracks and get them sent to the TxRC. I really need your help! All of you!!!
www.txrc.state.tx.us/agency/meetings/CommitteesWG.php
Loving God, Loving People and Serving = Peace and Happiness
Try it you will like it.
Try it you will like it.
I want to put together a history of the race dates episode. Correct me where I'm wrong.
The tracks and the org.s (TTA and THP) met over lunch and the idea of pooling OUR purse money and running one 60 day meet evolved. No agenda, no minutes, no posted announcement of the lunch, no asking the membership for input, but it really was not secret, just lunch.
The THP had a meeting at LS where they announced this new race schedule for all the Texas Racing Industry. The membership was shocked and most were not happy.
TxRC held their first meeting and most everyone said no to the 60 day idea. The GROUP (THP, TTA, and the Tracks) maintained their intent to push this off on the Industry.
TxRC held their second meeting at and many more in the industry said no to the 60 day idea, yet the GROUP maintained their stance. They were intent.
THP held their Retama meeting and again they were told no, but they still were intent on not listening to their members and having their 60 day meet.
TxRC held a meeting and the Group held to their 60 day plan.
Ms King said one sentence in addressing the GROUP that changed the picture. She told the GROUP to come in with a plan that addressed all the information that the TxRC had gathered or the commission would tell them what to do.
Seems more like a victory for the Mushroom to me. We need to continue working with the commission. We need to show the Boards that we have friends on those boards and it will not take many elections to change the directions of those boards.
I'm planning on running at Retama next week and I would like to post some statements and this history in the racing office and barns. I need help. I want to advertise this site and the fb site. What do you think?
The tracks and the org.s (TTA and THP) met over lunch and the idea of pooling OUR purse money and running one 60 day meet evolved. No agenda, no minutes, no posted announcement of the lunch, no asking the membership for input, but it really was not secret, just lunch.
The THP had a meeting at LS where they announced this new race schedule for all the Texas Racing Industry. The membership was shocked and most were not happy.
TxRC held their first meeting and most everyone said no to the 60 day idea. The GROUP (THP, TTA, and the Tracks) maintained their intent to push this off on the Industry.
TxRC held their second meeting at and many more in the industry said no to the 60 day idea, yet the GROUP maintained their stance. They were intent.
THP held their Retama meeting and again they were told no, but they still were intent on not listening to their members and having their 60 day meet.
TxRC held a meeting and the Group held to their 60 day plan.
Ms King said one sentence in addressing the GROUP that changed the picture. She told the GROUP to come in with a plan that addressed all the information that the TxRC had gathered or the commission would tell them what to do.
Seems more like a victory for the Mushroom to me. We need to continue working with the commission. We need to show the Boards that we have friends on those boards and it will not take many elections to change the directions of those boards.
I'm planning on running at Retama next week and I would like to post some statements and this history in the racing office and barns. I need help. I want to advertise this site and the fb site. What do you think?
Loving God, Loving People and Serving = Peace and Happiness
Try it you will like it.
Try it you will like it.
-
keyranch
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Absolutely, Look at the newspaper articles about the triangle of tracks. They all signed off on that plan and their anger at SHRP was over breaking their deal, not about the race days. If we do not change the boards and make them adhere to some standards of conduct we will be going through this again next year! We have to get over the lost Decade or the Hooper years and move on to the next chapter for Texas racing and horsemen. We won some battles but they are an incestuous group of associations that will continue their kool-aide drinking meetings in the dark recesses of their own minds.
I am not in an agreement with the dates that were “approved” by the TTA. The difference in me and “some” of the board though is I will come out and say it. The final dates approved were not shared with the board for a vote. The “Executive Committee” met via conference call and they discussed it and approved it. No “official” vote was taken. (This was not shard with the members so I wanted to throw it out there). In the board meeting I did however agree on the 106 proposed dates, at that time I thought if we could get that we were doing good, but again when that changed I was not privy to a vote. I do not agree with it at all.
I have asked and continue to ask for the TTA to be transparent. We need to share all the info we can to the members and also listen to the members. At this time I am sorry to say WE DO NOT DO THIS. (I will say I have asked DH to post more updates to keep people informed and that has happened) I have had several members come to me and ask how or why these “backroom deals” (their words) can happen within the TTA. I am sorry to say I do not have an answer to this question, but again I DO NOT agree with it. I can only say for me that I will continue to listen and try to represent as best I can.
I want what is best for all Texans for racing and not just the few. I feel there are a lot of board members like me who feel the same way, but then there are others who just go with the flow or are just on the board with no opinion. I will say this. People have asked me what can be done about it. Well join the TTA and vote. If you are not a member then join.
We (the TTA and horse owners) need all the help/support we can get. If you do not like what the board does then replace them. Myself included. How do you do that? Again join and vote. I see post on here about firing the board or getting rid of people and honestly the members hold the power.
Do I agree with all the views on this site? No. Do I agree with some? Yes. One thing I can say though is people will post their opinions and you know who they are and I am no exception. Do I want slots? Absolutely! Do we need a back up plan or a plan B? Absolutely! We all want one thing though and that is what is best for Texas racing.
Transparency and communication is the key though. We have to start there so we know where we all stand. I will continue to push for that as a board member of the TTA.
Delwin Lovell
I have asked and continue to ask for the TTA to be transparent. We need to share all the info we can to the members and also listen to the members. At this time I am sorry to say WE DO NOT DO THIS. (I will say I have asked DH to post more updates to keep people informed and that has happened) I have had several members come to me and ask how or why these “backroom deals” (their words) can happen within the TTA. I am sorry to say I do not have an answer to this question, but again I DO NOT agree with it. I can only say for me that I will continue to listen and try to represent as best I can.
I want what is best for all Texans for racing and not just the few. I feel there are a lot of board members like me who feel the same way, but then there are others who just go with the flow or are just on the board with no opinion. I will say this. People have asked me what can be done about it. Well join the TTA and vote. If you are not a member then join.
We (the TTA and horse owners) need all the help/support we can get. If you do not like what the board does then replace them. Myself included. How do you do that? Again join and vote. I see post on here about firing the board or getting rid of people and honestly the members hold the power.
Do I agree with all the views on this site? No. Do I agree with some? Yes. One thing I can say though is people will post their opinions and you know who they are and I am no exception. Do I want slots? Absolutely! Do we need a back up plan or a plan B? Absolutely! We all want one thing though and that is what is best for Texas racing.
Transparency and communication is the key though. We have to start there so we know where we all stand. I will continue to push for that as a board member of the TTA.
Delwin Lovell
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keyranch
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Welcome to our little group Delwin. I hope you stay longer than the Queen did. It is only reasonable that both associations have to adhere to same principles that the TRC does. They should post their meetings in a timely and transparent fashion and should have financial audits in a timely and transparent fashion. The staff of the TRC is outstanding and many of the staff personel of the TTA and THP are outstanding. If we are to have any confidence in our and I repeat should be our associations, they should be as open and responsive the their members as the TRC is to the citizens of Texas.
This gets me back to the secret meetings which were not open and the associations not being responsive. We as members want to know who attended these meetings that started in November, where were they held, why were the minutes not posted, and who do you think you are to deny us that information!
This gets me back to the secret meetings which were not open and the associations not being responsive. We as members want to know who attended these meetings that started in November, where were they held, why were the minutes not posted, and who do you think you are to deny us that information!
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tinners way
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I continue to me amazed at the objective reporting of Gary West. We should have OTB's and ADW, but 15 years ago we tried that-the bill got watered down or something and it didn't work, Donnie please come back to Texas, blah, blah, blah.
We have tried for the passage of slots through 4 legislative sessions going on 5 as a single initiative. The OTB and ADW arguments of not having any support is not true. ADW already exists, just not legally.
In July, the HBPA and the tracks are singing kumbia. Read the latest transcripts, they are the most tenacious, but friendly, adversaries that have ever existed. The HBPA had to fight hard to get those dates up.
Queen Bee, tell me you don't see some inconsistencies.
It is all about slots.
Yes Mr. West, it is all about slots.
We have tried for the passage of slots through 4 legislative sessions going on 5 as a single initiative. The OTB and ADW arguments of not having any support is not true. ADW already exists, just not legally.
In July, the HBPA and the tracks are singing kumbia. Read the latest transcripts, they are the most tenacious, but friendly, adversaries that have ever existed. The HBPA had to fight hard to get those dates up.
Queen Bee, tell me you don't see some inconsistencies.
It is all about slots.
Yes Mr. West, it is all about slots.
Well, I was never very good at chess - and now we find ourselves playing the three dimensional kind. The racing coverage from the Houston Chronicle has been miles above that from The Ft. Worth paper. This article is a must read.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 03022.html
Yes, Tinner, it is all about the slots, but it is also about the egos of a few. Mr. West actually gave us a list of the few that he really cares about -- you know, those "quality people." Unfortunately, Mr. West does not care that those he wants to attract are not likely to benefit us very much. Their "one night stands" at our Texas tracks do not trickle down to benefit those of us who are really here in Texas, supporting our local economy. They just take the money and invest it elsewhere. Mr. West claims to be representing the fans, but I do not think he means the ones in the cheap seats that drink the dollar beer, and actually go to our race tracks.
Maybe the Texas race tracks should start selling Kool Aid?
Bedouwia
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 03022.html
Yes, Tinner, it is all about the slots, but it is also about the egos of a few. Mr. West actually gave us a list of the few that he really cares about -- you know, those "quality people." Unfortunately, Mr. West does not care that those he wants to attract are not likely to benefit us very much. Their "one night stands" at our Texas tracks do not trickle down to benefit those of us who are really here in Texas, supporting our local economy. They just take the money and invest it elsewhere. Mr. West claims to be representing the fans, but I do not think he means the ones in the cheap seats that drink the dollar beer, and actually go to our race tracks.
Maybe the Texas race tracks should start selling Kool Aid?
Bedouwia
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keyranch
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I will give you another cute chess move that SHRP pulled off with little or no input from the horsemen. Look at the dates they ended up with! They just positioned themselves to be in the triangle. Since rumors are they are for sale it protects the time slot between Remington and Lone Star.
We lost racing days without a whimper from the associations and they had the leverage, SHRP protected a very valuable asset and it is that time slot on the racing calender that both global and Penn National are as much interested in as that as they are the facilities. SHRP did get its boutique meet and everyone is supposed to be grateful for the valiant efforts, right. They are not running in November and December as they previously applied for. Sure didn't think Andrea was that smart, but it is always good to be underestimated.
We lost racing days without a whimper from the associations and they had the leverage, SHRP protected a very valuable asset and it is that time slot on the racing calender that both global and Penn National are as much interested in as that as they are the facilities. SHRP did get its boutique meet and everyone is supposed to be grateful for the valiant efforts, right. They are not running in November and December as they previously applied for. Sure didn't think Andrea was that smart, but it is always good to be underestimated.
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keyranch
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Attendance and handle was very good at Retama last night considering the weather. Lots of folks to talk to and I did not get in but a few bets, sorry Mr. Brown. I did get to see Mr. Brown and he was open and friendly as always and we certainly appreciate that considering all the wonderful comments about the mushroom faction of terrorists patrolling the streets.
The mushrooms have spent a long time developing a good reputation and standing up for all horsemen in the state. The small group of terrorist mushrooms have tried to coop a worthy cause and inflict harm on an otherwise good reputation. We do not know who these people are that are patrolling neighborhoods and attacking parked vehicles and making threats of bodily injury to the servants of the industry in the name of some perverted justice.
I assure you Queen that the non poisonous mushrooms will do our best to weed out these poisonous varieties to maintain the safety and security of all.
The mushrooms have spent a long time developing a good reputation and standing up for all horsemen in the state. The small group of terrorist mushrooms have tried to coop a worthy cause and inflict harm on an otherwise good reputation. We do not know who these people are that are patrolling neighborhoods and attacking parked vehicles and making threats of bodily injury to the servants of the industry in the name of some perverted justice.
I assure you Queen that the non poisonous mushrooms will do our best to weed out these poisonous varieties to maintain the safety and security of all.
-
jrgators
- Starters Handicap
- Posts: 690
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2006 5:26 pm
- Location: Lockhart, Texas
- Contact:
September 19, 2010
Good afternoon,
I finally had sometime and read the news letter from the THP, and I'm incredibly insulted as a mushroom, and I'm sick of this attitude of these great folks.
The article in question can be found http://www.texashorsemen.com/PDFs/THNsept10.pdf
This article is on pages 6 and 7
Jan Haynes, Look I would hate to imagine that someone attemptted to hurt someone else over a discussion! If there are some whacky azz folks out there doing that, it's not with my blessings, nor do I believe any other real "mushroom" that is out there.
You made it a point to state you don't represent me, and you don't represent other "mushrooms" so I hope that you get it that there are sick folks that you DO represent that can have an axe to grind with the tracks, the track associations, and the folks that they feel are taking money out of their pockets, and food off of the dinner tables!
The attitude of your ms. Queen is shameful! you are so distanced that you took the meeting in Austin to let me know I supposedly owe $14.00 to your organization, ( I still haven't got a statement of the bill either!), and you took that chance to state that you don't represent me because my last starter is now a broodmare.
You simply amaze me! WOW
I'm amazed, and I don't know why, but I am.
The Queen really has me angry!
The more I read that NONsensical letter that she actually placed in a publication the more angry I become.
So what is the queen really saying? Because "WE" disagree with the mighty QUEEN we are sending folks to her house to harm her, or her property, or her family? REALLY? WOW!
The nerve of the THP to actually put something like that in print, not on some FB page, or blog site, but in actual PRINT! WOW
Your letter reads like I had a group of my “homeboys” come by your house, and shoot the windows out of your car or something! I’m INSULTED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF BEING INSULTED!
The tone of this letter should outrage every hard working person in this country! Everyone who’s ever disagreed with someone, and everyone who’s ever tried to reach their dream!
Dear Queen, I work very hard, and I work hard EVERYDAY! I have never as an adult been on public assistance, and I am committed to my family to provide the best life I can for them. Queen, when I leave this world, I desire what most folks desire, and that is to leave my family with memories, and some money too! While I’m here, I have dreams of financial stability for myself, and the chance to do what I enjoy doing, that’s racing horses!
Let me tell you a little bit about myself…..I was born in Cleveland Ohio March 23, 1965. My mother was a 15 year old girl, in love, and not ashamed. My dad was a 19 year old hard working man. My parents married just about 10 weeks after I was born. They divorced in 1973, and my mother raised to the best of her ability her 4 black children. We were poor as a church mouse, but we had values, morals, and understood that NOTHING IN LIFE WAS FREE!
My dad was a groom for several trainers in the country. The man was a genius when it came to a racehorse, but he didn’t have the same drive to be the owner/trainer, he was happy as a groom.
I started cleaning stalls and walking hots for Joe Diemert in 1978. I worked at Thistledown until 1989. I left the horse business, but I never left the horse owner dream! I never stopped waking up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night with dreams of being the first black owner and trainer of a Kentucky Derby winner!
In 2005 I couldn’t take it anymore, I decided that I had to get back in, so I took $4000 out of my 401K, and went to Lone Star Park and claimed Oak Hill. It was the beyond my comprehension to do something that small alone dear queen. I, ME, Theophilus Scales, Jr. claiming a horse! Couldn’t be happening! Not the poor black kid from the PJ’s with stains from wet spots on his knees! Not the kid that slept on Bales of straw with horse blankets covering him in the dead of winter! What, that kid! An OHIO bred! Me! Theo!! WOW
After claiming another horse, I decided that I wanted to play in the big leagues, with little league money! I felt that if I could figure out the breeding industry, I had a chance of breeding the “big horse!” Not much of a chance of claiming that kind, but I could breed one. I got started, and my first one is in my back yard as I type this letter. Her name is Gator Girls Gone! We call her GiGi. You know what queen, she may never reach the starting gate, but dog gonnit, I’m trying! I’m working hard and I believe she’s going to be a decent kind of filly. I can promise you that if she ever makes it to the winners circle everyone within 5 counties will know about it. They will talk about this big black bald headed man that cried a river of tears all the way to the winners circle. But they won’t know the whole story! It won’t be about the winning of one race, it will be about the completion of a little wide eyed kid who dared to dream! This little black boy with a High School Diploma and a dream. They will be tears of joy dear Queen. Tears for hard work, commitment, dedication. Tears for the nights of Roman Noodles, late car payments, late rent payments. They will be tears for a dude who dared to dream the impossible dream dear Queen.
I am a mushroom queen, yes I am, and I’m proud to be! I believe that the title fits, we’ve been done just like a real mushroom have been done, kept in the dark, and you know the rest!
Here is what I am dear Queen, I’m my kids father, I’m my partners best friend, I’m my mother’s first born, and I am a child of God! I love running and breeding my horses under the name Junior Gators, you know why dear Queen, I’ll tell ya! My great grandfather was a black man who went by the name of “the Gator” he had a 2nd grade education and was born in 1896. Mr. Thomas Shaw was in business prior to the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He taught all of us that we can do and be anything. I’m just part of the Legacy of the first Gator, and I’m a Junior Gator! I want to let it be known, and let me be clear, your words have reach the very core of a part of my soul that cries out injustice has been done.
Because we don’t agree with you oh mighty one, that doesn’t make us some terrorist, radical, extremist group of people who keep screaming for our lives.
I AM NOT SOME BLACK THUG DUDE THAT’S OUT TO GET FOLKS WHO DON’T AGREE WITH ME ON AN ISSUE!!!!!
I AM INSENSED, INRAGED, INSULTED, AND IN SEARCH OF LEGAL AVENUES OF RESOLUTION!
I've posted this, and I'll post it again, my email address is:
[email protected]
My phone number is 512-529-3417
If you think this "mushroom" dude that you DON'T REPRESENT has anything to do with whacked out folks like that you need to contact your police department with my information.
I will send this letter, and the article written in the THP to every organization I can find in the world dear Queen. I want to let everyone know how folks who disagree with the Queen are treated.
Last thing dear queen. After I do finally race one of my horses again, I rescind my stance of running for the THP board. I don’t want to be associated with a group that would put something like this in print. I don’t want any part of a group that still hasn’t sent me a bill for the mystery $14.00. I don’t want to be part of a group who had the nerve to say over and over again to everyone…..”if you want to be heard, get on the board.” Queen and all please forgive me for thinking that this was the United States of America, and that I actually had the right to speak to those I wanted to speak with.
Humbly submitted,
Theophilus Scales, Jr.
Good afternoon,
I finally had sometime and read the news letter from the THP, and I'm incredibly insulted as a mushroom, and I'm sick of this attitude of these great folks.
The article in question can be found http://www.texashorsemen.com/PDFs/THNsept10.pdf
This article is on pages 6 and 7
Jan Haynes, Look I would hate to imagine that someone attemptted to hurt someone else over a discussion! If there are some whacky azz folks out there doing that, it's not with my blessings, nor do I believe any other real "mushroom" that is out there.
You made it a point to state you don't represent me, and you don't represent other "mushrooms" so I hope that you get it that there are sick folks that you DO represent that can have an axe to grind with the tracks, the track associations, and the folks that they feel are taking money out of their pockets, and food off of the dinner tables!
The attitude of your ms. Queen is shameful! you are so distanced that you took the meeting in Austin to let me know I supposedly owe $14.00 to your organization, ( I still haven't got a statement of the bill either!), and you took that chance to state that you don't represent me because my last starter is now a broodmare.
You simply amaze me! WOW
I'm amazed, and I don't know why, but I am.
The Queen really has me angry!
The more I read that NONsensical letter that she actually placed in a publication the more angry I become.
So what is the queen really saying? Because "WE" disagree with the mighty QUEEN we are sending folks to her house to harm her, or her property, or her family? REALLY? WOW!
The nerve of the THP to actually put something like that in print, not on some FB page, or blog site, but in actual PRINT! WOW
Your letter reads like I had a group of my “homeboys” come by your house, and shoot the windows out of your car or something! I’m INSULTED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF BEING INSULTED!
The tone of this letter should outrage every hard working person in this country! Everyone who’s ever disagreed with someone, and everyone who’s ever tried to reach their dream!
Dear Queen, I work very hard, and I work hard EVERYDAY! I have never as an adult been on public assistance, and I am committed to my family to provide the best life I can for them. Queen, when I leave this world, I desire what most folks desire, and that is to leave my family with memories, and some money too! While I’m here, I have dreams of financial stability for myself, and the chance to do what I enjoy doing, that’s racing horses!
Let me tell you a little bit about myself…..I was born in Cleveland Ohio March 23, 1965. My mother was a 15 year old girl, in love, and not ashamed. My dad was a 19 year old hard working man. My parents married just about 10 weeks after I was born. They divorced in 1973, and my mother raised to the best of her ability her 4 black children. We were poor as a church mouse, but we had values, morals, and understood that NOTHING IN LIFE WAS FREE!
My dad was a groom for several trainers in the country. The man was a genius when it came to a racehorse, but he didn’t have the same drive to be the owner/trainer, he was happy as a groom.
I started cleaning stalls and walking hots for Joe Diemert in 1978. I worked at Thistledown until 1989. I left the horse business, but I never left the horse owner dream! I never stopped waking up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night with dreams of being the first black owner and trainer of a Kentucky Derby winner!
In 2005 I couldn’t take it anymore, I decided that I had to get back in, so I took $4000 out of my 401K, and went to Lone Star Park and claimed Oak Hill. It was the beyond my comprehension to do something that small alone dear queen. I, ME, Theophilus Scales, Jr. claiming a horse! Couldn’t be happening! Not the poor black kid from the PJ’s with stains from wet spots on his knees! Not the kid that slept on Bales of straw with horse blankets covering him in the dead of winter! What, that kid! An OHIO bred! Me! Theo!! WOW
After claiming another horse, I decided that I wanted to play in the big leagues, with little league money! I felt that if I could figure out the breeding industry, I had a chance of breeding the “big horse!” Not much of a chance of claiming that kind, but I could breed one. I got started, and my first one is in my back yard as I type this letter. Her name is Gator Girls Gone! We call her GiGi. You know what queen, she may never reach the starting gate, but dog gonnit, I’m trying! I’m working hard and I believe she’s going to be a decent kind of filly. I can promise you that if she ever makes it to the winners circle everyone within 5 counties will know about it. They will talk about this big black bald headed man that cried a river of tears all the way to the winners circle. But they won’t know the whole story! It won’t be about the winning of one race, it will be about the completion of a little wide eyed kid who dared to dream! This little black boy with a High School Diploma and a dream. They will be tears of joy dear Queen. Tears for hard work, commitment, dedication. Tears for the nights of Roman Noodles, late car payments, late rent payments. They will be tears for a dude who dared to dream the impossible dream dear Queen.
I am a mushroom queen, yes I am, and I’m proud to be! I believe that the title fits, we’ve been done just like a real mushroom have been done, kept in the dark, and you know the rest!
Here is what I am dear Queen, I’m my kids father, I’m my partners best friend, I’m my mother’s first born, and I am a child of God! I love running and breeding my horses under the name Junior Gators, you know why dear Queen, I’ll tell ya! My great grandfather was a black man who went by the name of “the Gator” he had a 2nd grade education and was born in 1896. Mr. Thomas Shaw was in business prior to the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He taught all of us that we can do and be anything. I’m just part of the Legacy of the first Gator, and I’m a Junior Gator! I want to let it be known, and let me be clear, your words have reach the very core of a part of my soul that cries out injustice has been done.
Because we don’t agree with you oh mighty one, that doesn’t make us some terrorist, radical, extremist group of people who keep screaming for our lives.
I AM NOT SOME BLACK THUG DUDE THAT’S OUT TO GET FOLKS WHO DON’T AGREE WITH ME ON AN ISSUE!!!!!
I AM INSENSED, INRAGED, INSULTED, AND IN SEARCH OF LEGAL AVENUES OF RESOLUTION!
I've posted this, and I'll post it again, my email address is:
[email protected]
My phone number is 512-529-3417
If you think this "mushroom" dude that you DON'T REPRESENT has anything to do with whacked out folks like that you need to contact your police department with my information.
I will send this letter, and the article written in the THP to every organization I can find in the world dear Queen. I want to let everyone know how folks who disagree with the Queen are treated.
Last thing dear queen. After I do finally race one of my horses again, I rescind my stance of running for the THP board. I don’t want to be associated with a group that would put something like this in print. I don’t want any part of a group that still hasn’t sent me a bill for the mystery $14.00. I don’t want to be part of a group who had the nerve to say over and over again to everyone…..”if you want to be heard, get on the board.” Queen and all please forgive me for thinking that this was the United States of America, and that I actually had the right to speak to those I wanted to speak with.
Humbly submitted,
Theophilus Scales, Jr.