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!