Regal Heart

The last twelve months of horse racing has taught me a lot. It has provided significant insight into the sport's nuts and bolts, both in front of the curtain and behind. I've also learned a few things about myself.

Probably the biggest take away that I can share from these experiences is that racing is where it is because there are so many people involved. In order for things to happen there has to be a consensus among these many minds. Since the range of the opinions differs so greatly, it is very difficult and time consuming to reach a compromise. As much as the fans would like to see abrupt, positive changes, such will not happen. That is simply the nature of the beast.

I've also discovered that the engine of horse racing is driven primarily by fiscal and political means. Unfortunately for the fan we possess neither. What we do have is passion, conviction, imagination, determination, and a sense of community. The many racing blogs out there is evidence of just how passionate the people are concerning their sport and how committed they are to it. A well written blog post can consume a significant amount of time and there are hundreds of posts that are published every week. These bloggers write without any compensation or any assurance others will read.

Out of everything, I have come to the conclusion that my efforts in trying to improve the game have been either misdirected or ineffective. Sometimes a problem cannot be solved purely by strength. Much like a Chinese finger puzzle, the more I pull, the worse the situation becomes. It seems that all I've accomplished in the last twelve months is annoy a lot of people all while exhausting myself in the process. Frustrated, I've finally gone back to the drawing table to find a new solution.

The solution would seem to be to work apart from the system with the tools one has at hand.

What do I mean? Consider the tugboat. A completely separate vessel, its job is to assist a much larger ship in making tight maneuvers. Horse racing is the Queen Mary II. I'm the tug. As an independent operator I need to act alone until the game is ready to throw me a line and make use of my service. Tugs do not ram themselves into a ship wantonly. They only make their move when the signal is shown and the line is thrown. Right now neither has been given.

Secondly I need to work with what I have. Since I am neither fiscally endowed nor politically connected, I need to use my passion, imagination, and determination instead for the good of the sport. Putting those three components together, the best result I can come up with is to write a thoroughbred novel. Movies such as Seabiscuit, Dreamer, and Racing Stripes all helped draw renewed interest in the sport. In the case of Seabiscuit it first began as a book. Since a book is an independent project it can be done at one's own speed and does not require significant outside resources until time of publication. That would seem right up my alley.

Fortunately today's Preakness provided me just what I needed. Rachel Alexandra, along with Eight Belles and Rags to Riches all rolled into one, gives sufficient credibility to write about a filly that attempts all three legs of the Triple Crown, capturing the interest of a nation in the process. While the plot to Regal Heart will have a lot more depth than this, that is the elevator pitch.

The short term goal right now will be to complete the novel's first two chapters and then enroll into a year long writing course through a guild. Hopefully the course will help produce a better product. The length of the journeyman level course I am considering is one year. That is likely how long it will take to finish the rough draft, after which it will need to go through substantial line editing which could take many more months. Then the publishing process itself takes another year. So Regal Heart probably won't be on any shelves until April 2012, which by then would make her a three year old, but prefect timing for the Derby.

Now since I've publicly committed to the project, I will stick with it. Consequently you will see me much less active blogging wise. The topics of future blogs will also likely change from that of industry reform to updates on the research and writing process. Hopefully Regal Heart will enjoy great success, drawing new fans to the sport and making the leadership more receptive to proposals such as the Ambassador Program and Certified Stables. So now if I disappear at least you know why.

Perseverance!

Hollywood Gone, TOC "At Peace"

Well Hollywood Park's days are now numbered. The Inglewood City Planning Commission unanimously recommended the destruction and redevelopment of Hollywood Park's 238 acres during their May 11th meeting. The final gasp of HOL's life could come as soon as May 28th when the city council makes their final ruling.

No one seems to be shedding any tears.

TOC president Drew Couto reportedly stated that he is, "at peace with the demise of Hollywood Park," and that attempts to save the track were, "too little too late." His words surmise the sport's general apathy on the matter. During the series of city meetings no executive representation of the sport was too be seen, even after the planning commission pointed out that they should be present. An NTRA executive questioned on the matter via telephone reported that there were significant conflicts of interest preventing their presence during the meetings.

And so marks the loss of a 2nd race track in California within the last 12 months. In September 2008, Bay Meadows was demolished leaving behind a pile of debris that remains to this day and questions concerning the sport's vitality both in California as well as nationally. With Magna Entertainment Corporation in bankruptcy, Golden Gate and Santa Anita are also at risk of being purchased by a non racing entity, begging the question if they will be next to go. In December the general manager at Golden Gate Fields stated during a television interview that the future of the track was in the balance.

It makes a young person like me wonder what will be left for the next generation at the rate which the sport is being torn down.

T.R. Phone Home

Today afforded the opportunity to speak again with Mike Ziegler, head of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, via telephone. It was a follow up call to our April meeting at Santa Anita regarding certified stables. The gist of the call was that, as much as they would like to, the NTRA cannot certify stables in any immediate fashion. Currently Mr. Ziegler's time is devoted to accrediting 30 race tracks in 2009, of which only two are officially complete at this time (CD and KEE). His plate is full and rightly so. Accrediting tracks is agreeably by far the most important thing at this time.

Instead any immediate movement would have to be taken on by NTRA CEO, Alex Waldrop, who undoubtedly has his hands full. Another twist in the matter is that everything the NTRA does must first go through their board of directors which is comprised of a lot of industry groups. That's where things get really sticky. Members of these boards are people I've already tried to contact regarding certifying stables. I do not know how interested they are in the matter. The KTA-KTOB's response on certifying stables was that it's been considered for 30 years, half dozen plans have been discussed, but nothing has been implemented. Meanwhile communications with the TOC, as one has put it, "have not been productive." If the industry has seen no need to act in the last three decades, why would they now? If the board does not give their blessing, the NTRA cannot take any action.

So the choice was given to either stall progress or to continue certifying stables on my own without the NTRA. Going alone of course defeats the whole purpose because it would just make the game more fragmented when consolidation is what the game needs.

The reality is as much as I push against the starting gate, it won't open in an official manner. Like Barbaro I'll simply be caught and reloaded. So all one can do at this point is wait.

Perseverance!

Where are the Decision Makers?

I am not looking forward to hitting the publish post button on this one, but someone has to say something. Since I have already infuriated 721,025 United Auto Workers with an offsite article that questions the fairness concerning the General Motors reorganization deal, what are a few more angry racing executives? So I’ll just say this now so that no one else has to take the flak for it.

Last week at an Inglewood City Council meeting, a series of which will determine the end of Hollywood Park, it was said that while it was, “great to see the 'working folks' of the industry come out, where are the decision makers?” As the council pointed out, “they ought to be here.”

They were right.

Where is the leadership of horse racing? Are they concerned about the future of Hollywood Park?

Their deafening silence seems to be the answer. Since I am already a marked man, I’ll elaborate my position further. As I pointed out in an internal e-mail to the primary in the stand to preserve the track, “There are many [leaders] that have no internal motivation (lost their passion) nor external motivation (financial) to appear, so they do not. Some would argue they have other responsibilities but in times of crisis when a major track’s life is on the line the leaders need to be there for the sport even if it means making tough decisions, such as missing ball games or skipping dinner with the wife. This is crunch time for HOL. Its disappointing that they are not here when the sport needs them the most.”

Is the passion gone? Yes. I know this first hand. When I spoke to the head of marketing at Santa Anita it was like speaking to a defeated solider. His paraphrased words were, "we're an inner city track, what's the use". In another incident, the head of publicity at Santa Anita wrote a very lifeless piece about the Ambassador Program last year. I wrote the draft but what eventually ran looked nothing like mine. It was void of passion and I know that readers, if any paper picked up the release (as far as I know none did), would sense that and not come. When I asked for a press release for the spring meet I was turned down because one was enough, I was told. Furthermore I've emailed every member of the TOC about the Ambassador Program and Certified Stables and only one responded. I have more examples, but three is enough to validate the point.

I can understand the council allowing for the track to be bulldozed if there's no noticeable leadership willing to step up and save a member of their family. If these meetings are Hollywood Park’s funeral, then the track must have really done some bad things. At least we should send flowers, or something.

Maybe racing wants HOL to disappear? I know of trainers who do. The destruction of HOL could solve the problem about too much racing in So Cal. Does Santa Anita want more dates? I suppose it would benefit them to see HOL go up in smoke then. Sure, HOL is dumpy and scary, but that’s because those who own the track have let it become that. They don't care about the track they’re just interested in the real estate. The owners have no vested interest in trying to make it better. Declining attendance and handle actually helps their cause and gives the city all the more reason to let it be torn down. HOL could be much better in the right hands. Someone just needs to raise a hand. In the days of the Roman Empire, a thumbs up saved a life.

Can someone spare a thumb?

Perseverance!

(P.S.: If this my last post, it was a pleasure to serve the sport of horse racing the best way I knew how. Thank you for reading.)

Warmest Thanks

Wednesday I received a thick envelope while at work. I wasn't expecting anything so it came as quite a surprise. Things became clearer however when I read the return address: Merced, California. Immediately I thought of an Ambassador Program where two women drove over four hours just to come to the track so they could experience what the program offered. It just goes to show that if you make horse racing enticing enough that you will draw the crowds. I don't know how Ms. Price got the address, but she was paying enough attention during the day to make note of where I work at, and then go to all the trouble of finding the mailing address. If that's not a way of saying thanks, what is?

The envelope contained a thank you card. Inside was a very nice hand written letter which read as follows:

"I want to thank you for providing such an enjoyable Sunday participating in the NTRA Ambassador Program. The knowledge I gained adds to my appreciation of the sport. And it is a thrill to actually pet the horses; please extend a thank you to Frank for opening his barn to us. I told a single-mom co-worker about the experience and she is planning a first trip to Santa Anita this fall. I apologize for leaving early, but with a stop in Bakersfield for dinner, we didn't want to get back to Merced too late since we both had to be at work Monday morning. Thank you for making a great day even better."

Well there you have it, no clearer evidence that the NTRA Ambassador program accomplishes what it sets out to do, to give fans new appreciation for our sport. Even better it has a pyramid effect. Participants enjoy themselves so much that they come back again with friends and introduce them to the sport. The point of the program is to plant seeds; seeds which will eventually develop into new shoots of fan growth for our sport.

The ground of horse racing is densely packed. Between the fear of the unknown track, the Greek like Racing Form, or misconceived notions of its people (some see racing as only rich snobs, others as only degenerates), its impossible to get a seed to take root unless each one is personally touched. Yes, expensive shotgun mass marketing helps give a boost for a particular day of racing, but in order to get a long term return, racing needs to roll up its sleeves and get dirty. Is anyone interested in doing the heavy lifting?

Perseverance!

Viva Verde

On Sunday I had the honor of attending Woodbury University's "Viva Verde" Fashion Gala and Scholarship Fundraising Dinner. It was the university's way of saying "thank you" to the NTRA for all that both Santa Anita Park and it did for their students over the course of the meet. It seems like the Ambassador Program just does not run out of nice surprises.

Ok, now while I certainly have a "cool" side, I'm not nearly chic enough to have gone to something like this before. I was really looking forward to the experience but figured I'd be a fish out of water. Fortunately my liaison, Ms. Bowley, was a former assistant trainer, making the transition from horse racing to fashionista easier.

As it turned out the experience was a great opportunity to meet a lot of very important people and help ensure that horse racing still remains fashionable. Besides having a moment with the university's president, I also had the chance to shake hands with a lot of financially important people. The words "Oaks" and "Derby" seemed to be on many lips and when the question of the dark side of horse racing reared up I was quick to promote the Safety and Integrity Alliance. Cards were exchanged and promises made to attend the next Ambassador Program season at Del Mar. As Ms. Bowley pointed out, a lot of the well to do might be interested in becoming thoroughbred owners after the experience. Here's hoping that NTRA Certified Stables can get in motion to help fill that desire.

The fashion show seemed like something right out of ABC's "Ugly Betty". Lots of loud music, camera flashes, and some clothes you'd never see anyone dare wear in real life. The theme of the show was "eco-friendly" and "sustainable", prompting the designers to use recycled materials in their designs. For example, one dress appeared to have been made out of a black fibered tarp, while another had its entire skirt made of peacock feathers.

My favorite line from the evening came during the swimsuit portion of the show. When a comment was made about all the scantily clad fillies I was quick to come back with, "But they only have two legs, not four."

The green theme of the night made me consider what horse racing could do to be a better neighbor. What about the solid waste that race tracks generate? An average thoroughbred produces approximately 50 pounds of manure a day. Consequently major tracks, like Santa Anita, which have well over 1,000 horses in year round residence, have to contend with what to do with twenty five tons of solid waste every day. (Currently they sell it to a fertilizer company.)

Besides the space consumed and its smell, all this manure is actually an environmental hazard. Scientists report that one of our major ozone depleters is methane gas, the main component of flattace. The main source for methane (CH4) released into our environment comes from large dairy cow herds. Scientists are urging a reduction in the amount of methane pollution in order to preserve the ozone layer that protects us from lethal solar radiation.

While collecting methane gas sounds like a farce, it’s actually quite profitable.

Methane (CH4) is very similar in composition to propane (C3H8) and therefore flammable. Methane is a by-product of crude oil production, usually found in the top layer of underground oil pockets. Drillers used to burn the methane off, now they collect it, condense it, pipe it, and use it to fire boilers thousands of miles away. The steam generated is used to heat buildings and turn turbines, creating the electricity that powers our every day lives. Methane is very clean burning, prompting environmentally conscious states such as California to derive the majority of its electricity from this energy source.

Unfortunately methane from oil production is considered a non-renewable source. Once the oil runs out, it will too. However Biogas, which is the same methane, just from a different source (manure), is renewable. So as long as there are dairy cattle and thoroughbreds companies such as BioEnergy Solutions can be in the business of turning poo into profits.

What BioEnergy Solutions does is set up shop at large manure producing operations. Manure is collected and stored in large sealed containers that accelerate decomposition, rapidly releasing large amounts of methane. These amounts are collected, refined, and condensed. Trucks then collect the liquefied methane gas and haul it to be consumed at nearby electric generators. Because Biogas is a renewable energy source and because states such as California require that by 2010, 20% of all electricity must come from renewable sources, Biogas is high in demand and therefore can fetch a lucrative price.

But that's not all. The government recognizes that because this trapped methane is sparing our environment, they give extra incentive to containing it by granting emission credits. What emission credits are is the legal right to pollute without a fine. Every polluting business is granted an emissions allowance. Just like you see in your electric bill, if you go over your monthly allotment then you have to pay the price in increased rates. Polluting businesses such as steel manufactures buy unused emission credits from others in order to avoid hefty rate increases. BioEnergy Solutions sell their credits to these businesses to help offset their emissions debt. These credits are expensive, resulting in revenue for the seller.

Between the Biogas and emission credits, BioEnergy Solutions makes a handy profit, and after expenses, it shares its profits with the generating site. According to their website, this profit sharing results in hundreds of thousands in yearly revenue to the generating site. What race track wouldn't want another six figures onto the bottom line? Not to mention the good neighbor aspect would make horse racing look better to their surrounding communities. And because the Biogas collection process still spares the majority of the manure, race tracks can still sell it for fertilizer. So how about it horse racing? Want to "go green"?

Perseverance!