Where Does Your Income Originate?
Posted by Billy at 6/23/2009 10:19 AM 
Categories: Horse Racing's Future
Tags: Kentucky Horse Farms Thoroughbred Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Tourism Lexington Horse Racing trainer VLT's Jockeys Starbucks
Categories: Horse Racing's Future
Tags: Kentucky Horse Farms Thoroughbred Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Tourism Lexington Horse Racing trainer VLT's Jockeys Starbucks
Be warned - I'm hot right now.
It's unbelievable to me that I am even having to think about this bill that didn't get passed in the senate.
Let me take you back to a place for a moment. I take you there a lot mainly because - well it's the only other place I've lived. New Mexico. It's not a state you think of racing and breeding horses. Most people in this country aren't educated enough to realize it's a state - and that's the fault of either the school system or poor gene pool. I haven't decided. Anyway - New Mexico's horse racing (both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred) and breeding industry was nearing extinction when I left to follow my dreams in Kentucky.
It's a large state (5th largest btw) and not heavily populated. There were 6 tracks at one point and time. Not all racing at the same time. Here is your list:
1) San Juan Downs (NW corner - between Farmington and Bloomfield, NM) - they could handle traffic from corners of Arizona, Colorado, Utah and NM. Raced May 2nd to Labor Day. Average purse per race in 1992: $1,246
2) La Mesa Park (NE corner in Raton, NM - they could handle Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas and NM. June 20th to July 26th (once upon a time they raced all Summer). Average purse per race in 1992: $1,081
3) The Downs at Santa Fe (about middle of the northern half of the state, in Santa Fe, NM - handling large tourist traffic and Albuquerque traffic). Raced April 29th to Labor Day roughly. Average purse per race in 1992: $3,857.
4) The Downs at Albuquerque (about 55 miles south of Santa Fe in Albuquerque, NM - handles their own traffic, and that of many who travel through NM to get somewhere else). Raced from January 10th - June 15th. Then again from September 11th to October 12th. (NM State Fair Meet). Average purse per race in 1992: $4,484.
5) Ruidoso Downs (about middle of the southern half of the state in Ruidoso, NM - handling a large amount of Texas traffic and Southern NM traffic). Raced May 7th to Labor Day. Average purse per race in 1992: $3,471.
6) Sunland Park (on the NM/TX/Mexico border - way south yo, handling obvious traffic including that from El Paso, TX). Raced January 1st - May 3rd and October 23rd to December 31st). Average purse per race in 1992: $2,944.
So there you have it - 6 tracks, 4 competing against each other during the Summer. The purses were beyond crap. Take note - in case you don't know - most races the winner gets 60% of the purse. The trainer/jockey each get 10% (that may have changed - but I'm not looking it up). Most pay to 5th or 6th place. So you as the Owner - ended up with very little - considering that most horses run (back then) once or maybe twice in a month - and not every month. If you didn't win every time - you're losing money (which most people did). So let us fast forward a bit.
I left New Mexico in the Summer of 1993. At that time San Juan Downs closed (remained closed for 6 years). La Mesa Park closed the year before and has yet to reopen but ground breaking (interestingly enough) begins tomorrow June 24th. Santa Fe Downs closed in 1997 - and has not reopened and likely will not btw. This left 3 tracks in operation mostly due to the strong Quarter Horse support for large stakes at each track, IMHO.
Something had to be done - there was a slight change in race date distribution and they added VLT's or slots. Had that addition to these entertainment venues not come to pass - I do not believe I would know a soul who owned/race/trained a horse in NM any longer. Let's jump ahead shall we to 2007 - slots in affect since 1999 and purses have risen significantly.
1) SunRay Park (Formerly San Juan Downs) - Raced May 3rd - July 15th. Average purse per race in 2007: $14,184. Up from $1,246.
2) The Downs at Albuquerque. Raced from August 10th - October 7th. With the NM State Fair Meet somewhere in the middle. Average purse per race in 2007: $16,018. Up from $4,484.
3) Ruidoso Downs. Raced Memorial Day to Labor Day. Average purse per race in 2007: $18,378. Up from $3,471.
4) Sunland Park. Raced December of 2006 - April 29th, 2007. Average purse per race in 2007: $26,111. Up from $2,944.
5) Zia Park (New Track opened in 2005 - on the NM/TX border near the South East corner of the state, in Hobbs, NM). Raced September 22 to December 11. Average purse per race in 2007: $21,923.
It's a no brainer that the VLT's fully saved racing and breeding in NM - eventually leading to us having horses race there and end up winning the Kentucky Derby-G1, Alabama S.-G1, Acorn S.-G1, La Brea S.-G1, must I go on?
So for years everyone said it won't matter because this is Kentucky. Well people it matters. People support horse racing but not "gambling" because it's addictive. Are you f*^%in kidding me? Gambling supports horse racing. We are not Dubai - we need people to wager in hopes of making a big splash at the window in order to support the horses, the people and the exterior that benefits from horse racing.
I cannot believe people are this stupid that they have to have it spelled out for them. But I'll get the block letters now - and you can pass this on to every retard that makes a buck from horse racing but thinks they are better than it - and thinks they'll survive without it.
What do you do for a living? I do pedigree research on Thoroughbreds for numerous consignors that are mostly based in Lexington. All of my income is derived from the world of horse racing. I won't share with you the amount - 'cause it's none of your business. But - if I don't have my business - that means I will leave Kentucky most likely probably on a killing spree but that's way off topic. Say I'm gone because I can no longer support my lifestyle and there are no horses for me to research. This means - I do not spend money at Incredipet, Kroger, Wendy's McDonald's, Puccini's, Mia's, Ohana Massage, Fayette Mall, Loch Lea Antiques, King's Garden Center, Walgreen's, Staples, FedEx Office (that's Kinko's yo), Farmer's Market, Portofino's, Giuseppe's, BloodStock Research, Daily Racing Form, NuVOX, Dish Network (I canceled DirectTV btw), KU, Columbia Gas, Starbucks, Kentucky American Water, Slone's Signature Market, Lansdowne Vet, BP - all in Lexington or surrounding areas. Do you know how much money I blow? A lot - I like to spend when it's there. That leaves only Verizon still getting my money because I must have a cell phone and they aren't based here. But I'll not be buying a new phone at a Lexington store or accessories.
Do you see how this works? I am one person. If you're a retailer, restaurant owner, business owner of some sort in Lexington your cash flow - somehow begins with a horse that someone else owns. There are plenty of racetracks and plenty of states that have plenty of land that anyone (outside of Don and Mira Ball) can change into a horse farm in this country. - I make the Ball crack because they both own a farm and develop land on former farms - the biggest hypocrites in the business. Someone long ago said this was the best place to raise a horse - people believed it, a community began - there you have it. A City thrived.
But it doesn't take a genius to realize that if the purses continue to drop at Ellis, Turfway and Churchill - even Kentucky Downs - then eventually those tracks close. Meaning people will have to ship further to race their horses. Why ship so far - why not just move? I would.
Keeneland is a boutique track with a public auction business. They will most likely be fine - without slots. But will they be fine as the only track in the state? No - not at all. Because - who comes to Kentucky if the farm owners that race cannot sustain because they have to spend more money to ship to tracks that have good purses? It's a vicious cycle.
Plain and simple: we are an entertainment industry that only exists if people gamble on us. You cannot pay the jockey, groom, trainer, exercise rider, hot walker, vet, blacksmith, feed supplier, etc. without that gamble. Right there are 8 different job titles that directly work with horse racing (just racing not breeding or sales). If they aren't here in KY making a living - they WILL be elsewhere. Believe me - which means all their excess money will not trickle down to YOU - the person struggling to keep their business afloat.
If you live in an area with a racetrack in the state of Kentucky - your ass makes money when the races are live (and in Lexington - all year round). Not just business owners - but employees as well. If you're a server at any one of the restaurants in Lexington alone, Starbucks staff, Sonic Carhop - imagine life without a tip during Keeneland live racing or sales? That means - you get to find a job delivering the crap ass Herald-Leader one day - that made sure no one cared about your job because they don't support horse racing anyway. Good luck with that.
I do not give a shit what religious belief you have, what political party you're associated with, what moral high ground you think you are on, what part of Kentucky you reside in - without horse racing - what is Kentucky? It's Tennessee without Country music. It's New York City without Broadway. It's Disneyworld without happiness. And who the fuck would want any part of that?
Wake up.
Also - for show your support and how important your job and your income are to you and your family. "We are NOT done fighting!" Rally @ Keeneland Sales Pavillion. 6/24 at 6:30 p.m.
http://www.horseswork.com/
It's unbelievable to me that I am even having to think about this bill that didn't get passed in the senate.
Let me take you back to a place for a moment. I take you there a lot mainly because - well it's the only other place I've lived. New Mexico. It's not a state you think of racing and breeding horses. Most people in this country aren't educated enough to realize it's a state - and that's the fault of either the school system or poor gene pool. I haven't decided. Anyway - New Mexico's horse racing (both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred) and breeding industry was nearing extinction when I left to follow my dreams in Kentucky.
It's a large state (5th largest btw) and not heavily populated. There were 6 tracks at one point and time. Not all racing at the same time. Here is your list:
1) San Juan Downs (NW corner - between Farmington and Bloomfield, NM) - they could handle traffic from corners of Arizona, Colorado, Utah and NM. Raced May 2nd to Labor Day. Average purse per race in 1992: $1,246
2) La Mesa Park (NE corner in Raton, NM - they could handle Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas and NM. June 20th to July 26th (once upon a time they raced all Summer). Average purse per race in 1992: $1,081
3) The Downs at Santa Fe (about middle of the northern half of the state, in Santa Fe, NM - handling large tourist traffic and Albuquerque traffic). Raced April 29th to Labor Day roughly. Average purse per race in 1992: $3,857.
4) The Downs at Albuquerque (about 55 miles south of Santa Fe in Albuquerque, NM - handles their own traffic, and that of many who travel through NM to get somewhere else). Raced from January 10th - June 15th. Then again from September 11th to October 12th. (NM State Fair Meet). Average purse per race in 1992: $4,484.
5) Ruidoso Downs (about middle of the southern half of the state in Ruidoso, NM - handling a large amount of Texas traffic and Southern NM traffic). Raced May 7th to Labor Day. Average purse per race in 1992: $3,471.
6) Sunland Park (on the NM/TX/Mexico border - way south yo, handling obvious traffic including that from El Paso, TX). Raced January 1st - May 3rd and October 23rd to December 31st). Average purse per race in 1992: $2,944.
So there you have it - 6 tracks, 4 competing against each other during the Summer. The purses were beyond crap. Take note - in case you don't know - most races the winner gets 60% of the purse. The trainer/jockey each get 10% (that may have changed - but I'm not looking it up). Most pay to 5th or 6th place. So you as the Owner - ended up with very little - considering that most horses run (back then) once or maybe twice in a month - and not every month. If you didn't win every time - you're losing money (which most people did). So let us fast forward a bit.
I left New Mexico in the Summer of 1993. At that time San Juan Downs closed (remained closed for 6 years). La Mesa Park closed the year before and has yet to reopen but ground breaking (interestingly enough) begins tomorrow June 24th. Santa Fe Downs closed in 1997 - and has not reopened and likely will not btw. This left 3 tracks in operation mostly due to the strong Quarter Horse support for large stakes at each track, IMHO.
Something had to be done - there was a slight change in race date distribution and they added VLT's or slots. Had that addition to these entertainment venues not come to pass - I do not believe I would know a soul who owned/race/trained a horse in NM any longer. Let's jump ahead shall we to 2007 - slots in affect since 1999 and purses have risen significantly.
1) SunRay Park (Formerly San Juan Downs) - Raced May 3rd - July 15th. Average purse per race in 2007: $14,184. Up from $1,246.
2) The Downs at Albuquerque. Raced from August 10th - October 7th. With the NM State Fair Meet somewhere in the middle. Average purse per race in 2007: $16,018. Up from $4,484.
3) Ruidoso Downs. Raced Memorial Day to Labor Day. Average purse per race in 2007: $18,378. Up from $3,471.
4) Sunland Park. Raced December of 2006 - April 29th, 2007. Average purse per race in 2007: $26,111. Up from $2,944.
5) Zia Park (New Track opened in 2005 - on the NM/TX border near the South East corner of the state, in Hobbs, NM). Raced September 22 to December 11. Average purse per race in 2007: $21,923.
It's a no brainer that the VLT's fully saved racing and breeding in NM - eventually leading to us having horses race there and end up winning the Kentucky Derby-G1, Alabama S.-G1, Acorn S.-G1, La Brea S.-G1, must I go on?
So for years everyone said it won't matter because this is Kentucky. Well people it matters. People support horse racing but not "gambling" because it's addictive. Are you f*^%in kidding me? Gambling supports horse racing. We are not Dubai - we need people to wager in hopes of making a big splash at the window in order to support the horses, the people and the exterior that benefits from horse racing.
I cannot believe people are this stupid that they have to have it spelled out for them. But I'll get the block letters now - and you can pass this on to every retard that makes a buck from horse racing but thinks they are better than it - and thinks they'll survive without it.
What do you do for a living? I do pedigree research on Thoroughbreds for numerous consignors that are mostly based in Lexington. All of my income is derived from the world of horse racing. I won't share with you the amount - 'cause it's none of your business. But - if I don't have my business - that means I will leave Kentucky most likely probably on a killing spree but that's way off topic. Say I'm gone because I can no longer support my lifestyle and there are no horses for me to research. This means - I do not spend money at Incredipet, Kroger, Wendy's McDonald's, Puccini's, Mia's, Ohana Massage, Fayette Mall, Loch Lea Antiques, King's Garden Center, Walgreen's, Staples, FedEx Office (that's Kinko's yo), Farmer's Market, Portofino's, Giuseppe's, BloodStock Research, Daily Racing Form, NuVOX, Dish Network (I canceled DirectTV btw), KU, Columbia Gas, Starbucks, Kentucky American Water, Slone's Signature Market, Lansdowne Vet, BP - all in Lexington or surrounding areas. Do you know how much money I blow? A lot - I like to spend when it's there. That leaves only Verizon still getting my money because I must have a cell phone and they aren't based here. But I'll not be buying a new phone at a Lexington store or accessories.
Do you see how this works? I am one person. If you're a retailer, restaurant owner, business owner of some sort in Lexington your cash flow - somehow begins with a horse that someone else owns. There are plenty of racetracks and plenty of states that have plenty of land that anyone (outside of Don and Mira Ball) can change into a horse farm in this country. - I make the Ball crack because they both own a farm and develop land on former farms - the biggest hypocrites in the business. Someone long ago said this was the best place to raise a horse - people believed it, a community began - there you have it. A City thrived.
But it doesn't take a genius to realize that if the purses continue to drop at Ellis, Turfway and Churchill - even Kentucky Downs - then eventually those tracks close. Meaning people will have to ship further to race their horses. Why ship so far - why not just move? I would.
Keeneland is a boutique track with a public auction business. They will most likely be fine - without slots. But will they be fine as the only track in the state? No - not at all. Because - who comes to Kentucky if the farm owners that race cannot sustain because they have to spend more money to ship to tracks that have good purses? It's a vicious cycle.
Plain and simple: we are an entertainment industry that only exists if people gamble on us. You cannot pay the jockey, groom, trainer, exercise rider, hot walker, vet, blacksmith, feed supplier, etc. without that gamble. Right there are 8 different job titles that directly work with horse racing (just racing not breeding or sales). If they aren't here in KY making a living - they WILL be elsewhere. Believe me - which means all their excess money will not trickle down to YOU - the person struggling to keep their business afloat.
If you live in an area with a racetrack in the state of Kentucky - your ass makes money when the races are live (and in Lexington - all year round). Not just business owners - but employees as well. If you're a server at any one of the restaurants in Lexington alone, Starbucks staff, Sonic Carhop - imagine life without a tip during Keeneland live racing or sales? That means - you get to find a job delivering the crap ass Herald-Leader one day - that made sure no one cared about your job because they don't support horse racing anyway. Good luck with that.
I do not give a shit what religious belief you have, what political party you're associated with, what moral high ground you think you are on, what part of Kentucky you reside in - without horse racing - what is Kentucky? It's Tennessee without Country music. It's New York City without Broadway. It's Disneyworld without happiness. And who the fuck would want any part of that?
Wake up.
Also - for show your support and how important your job and your income are to you and your family. "We are NOT done fighting!" Rally @ Keeneland Sales Pavillion. 6/24 at 6:30 p.m.
http://www.horseswork.com/
Like I said when we talked, I moved here to work in the thoroughbred industry. if Kentucky doesn't see fit to save its signature industry, I see no reason to stay here. KY is killing the goose that laid the golden egg. I want to know what all churches, industries, whatever fought to keep this from happening. I want to know who supports the senators that voted it down. They will not be getting my votes or my business and I want their names in a letter to the editor at all the newspapers in the state. Cannot make the rally tomorrow.
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Just a quick FYI -- From what I've read Keeneland is going to forego slots at the track and share slots revenue with Red Mile, which will keep the Red Mile open, keep a lot of Standardbred business going, and draw big crowds to Lexington a couple of times a year. When I went to the Grand Circuit meet last year, I was amazed at the cars from Canada, New York, Jersey, Florida, Ohio, etc. The place was packed even though Keeneland had live racing at the same time. Saving the horse industry means saving the tourism industry - hotels, restaurants, interstate gas stations, the Hustler store. We're all in this together.
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Dana, I'm a regular at the Grand Circuit (and rarely go to Keeneland because it is so overcrowded and filled with people who are into socializing, not racing) and I can tell you that most of those out of state cars in the parking lot belong to trainers, drivers, grooms etc. and not tourists who come from other states like we get at Keeneland. Yes, the Red Mile would love slots, but if they never get them, they've got an extremely valuable piece of developable real estate, which leads to something else we would all hate to see.
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I was with you until the Disney comment! Also, Tennessee would still be pretty cool without country music. They do have blues and bbq and some pretty terrain.
Very good column. I don't think Kentucky realizes what its economy would be like without horse racing.
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we break ground on the new Raton racetrack tomarrow. the gov is coming the commission has a reg.meeting here .the horsemens assoc. is bringing a bus full .there will be a picnic at the park.
The local businesses on both sides of Raton Pass are starting to get excited about the return of the horses to race here. while all of the other towns that wanted the racino were heavy on economic development and the casino Raton first of all wanted the horses and the horsemen . the casino was second on the list. with us there will be a constant pitch to the horses in the casino. large screens etc. Raton's water and air are fantastic for horses the cool nights make them thrive.
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As a non-Kentuckian, I'm shocked by this betrayal of the state's signature industry. I vacation in Lexington every year ONLY for horseracing. Yes - we do the whole tourist thing: spending a week in a hotel, eating every meal in a restaurant, buying silly geegaws for souvenirs, the works ... all money that will eventually find its way to another part of the country (perhaps New Mexico!) as the racing declines.
By the way, Bill Shanklin has an excellent piece up at Horse Racing Business about the gratitude neighboring states must be feeling about now.
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Tennessee without country music. ... An interesting comparison.
I once heard Arkansas described as "Mississippi with shoes." As a man of partial Arkansas pedigree, I'm allowed to laugh.
Yes, Kentucky is frittering away its future by piddling on the alternate gaming issue. Not being a Kentuckian myself, I'm not sure what these yahoos have to gain from the foot-dragging and posturing, unless it's political capital for some other issue (or overall), but they're screwing you over in the process.
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Maybe hidden somewhere in the Fed stimulus money to KY there is a 'no deal' if there is support for gambling? Politicians make me paranoid!
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I like Beth am not from KY originally. Neither is my wife who does not work in the horse industry but at a company affected by it called Alltech. We moved here for one reason only, the thoroughbred industry. We are about to have our first child and own a very small farm in Midway. We've put roots down here and my young family relies heavily on the future of horse racing in this state. We are not rich as the perception may be of those involved in the industry are seen from outside observers. Most of the people I am friends with that work in the indsustry are not from here, and would not be here without this industry. If I leave, (and I've been laid off twice now from thoroughbred businesses) my wife leaves as well, that effects the local economy. It's the case with a lot of people, not only does the horse industry suffer, but other industries who rely on spouses or significant others for income and a labor force. I'm willing to bet that at least half of those who work in this industry are not from around here. The ripple affect from our industry dying would be a economic blow to this state that would be impossible to recover from.
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Also count the people who take and cash your bets at the track, sell you your hot dogs and beer, racing forms, admissions, security, etc. etc. I am in favor of gambling of all sorts being legalized because IMHO having it outlawed puts it into the hands of the wrong element. You can gamble as much as you want on the internet right now. And people will gamble whether it is legal or not, so why not let the state prosper from those gambling dollars instead of letting them either go to places out of state where someone else prospers from them or illegal gambling which does not serve the public at all. For those who have a gambling problem, there should be money earmarked for gambling rehab, all funded by the money realized by gambling. Politicians need to realize that gambling has always been with us and always will be. To say that not letting horse tracks have slots is somehow good for the people of the state is clearly not facing reality. Why not at least allow riverboats on the Kentucky side of the river to compete with the ones just across the river. There is already gambling going on at the race tracks and without it nobody would bother to show up at all. Gambling is gambling and to allow one kind of gambling and not another is short sighted and discriminatory. Wake up Frankfort, allowing VLT's at race tracks is not the way to let casino gambling into the state. It is the way to stop it, by saying this and no more. Quit telling people what they can do with their disposable entertainment money and help fix the horse racing industry by allowing it to become competitive again.
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The groundbreaking for the new racetrack and casino at Raton,NM. was held today with an appreciation pic-nic provided by Michael Moldenhauer the project developer .
govenor Bill Richardson was on hand to help as well as the New Mexico racing Commission chairman Arnold Reale and the chair of the New Mexico Gaming Commission. Arnold spoke at length about Ratons support and how the commission was impressed that with Raton it was about the horses and Racetrack and few of the locals mentioned the casino. they especially liked that the word racino was not used always the racetrack and casino.
gov.Bill Richardson talked about the history of racing in New Mexico and how Raton was the first track and how glad he was that Raton has this new chance. With over 500 locals in attendence it was a fun event. The mayor of Raton Joe Apache presented a proclomation to mr.Willis of the racing commission for mine that birds owners. June was proclaimed Mine That Bird month in Raton earlier this month.Dr Blach and Mark Allen were unable to attend as they were out of country .Dr Blach was gracious enough to Give KCRT/KBKZ an interview earlier this week about how they plan to have a stable here when the track opens.Chip is in Kentucky preparing Mine That Bird for a planned start in the West Virginia Derby.
Eric Culver the driving force to return racing to Raton was able to attend but not participate due to being ill. Eric owned the old la mesa park and Ruidoso downs at one time. the name of La Mesa Racetrack and Casino was chosen due to history .it will be great to see LAm in the past performances of horses once more. The new location was chosen to highlight the beautiful mesas in the background.Mr.Moldenhauer promised Raton a beautiful facility.
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people don't like the sport anymore... and don't let the door hit you on the way out.
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People? People dont like horse racing? Who are these people your referring to? Why are you even on this blog if your so ignorant you don't know Kentucky is but 2 things Horses and Bourbon... I bet you don't even drink so don't let the door hit you on the way out...
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If you are one of those "people", why are you reading a blog called "Loving The Race Horse"? The horse industry has kept me employed for almost 30 years. My mother for 55 years. I know all sorts of "people" that love the sport. So, "don't let the door hit" YOU on the way out.
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Once upon a time, KY was the horse and burley tobacco capital of the world. During that time, our KY economy was nice and comfy. Government cuts and foreign tobacco later, KY tobacco farmers are struggling to make it...and the KY economy is beginning to struggle. Fast forward a few years later (current) and KY's proud reign of "horse capital of the world"..is in a dire situation. Our horse farms which are built on hundreds of years of tradition and hard work are on the verge of folding! Why? lawmakers don't value the industry professionals opinions. People are going to gamble...just like people are going to smoke, and drink...so why not keep it here? Wouldn't KY enjoy that comfy economy NOW? SAVE OUR HORSE INDUSTRY! SAVE OUR FAMILY FARMS! Don't let the fairytale end!
And Nancy...don't let the door hit you on the way out...but try not trip over your 100 cats on the way out either.
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