"I'll tell you the biggest problem with the game, owners like you!!!"-A Thoroughbred Trainer
Yes, not one, but three exclamation marks. Clearly the sender wanted to make them self understood.
The above is a direct quote from a recent e-mail that I received from a trainer after I contacted them with my concerns about how they were publically slandering others in the sport. I tried to point out how some level of tact should be used regarding those who spend millions on the game, even if you don't agree with what that person says. Obviously reasoning did not work in this situation. And so the above quote goes down in the history books as just another perfect example of racing's biggest hurdle: itself.
Unfortunately horse racing is a zero sum sport. In other words 1 - 1 = 0. In a zero sum activity, one only succeeds at the expense of another. So even in a field of four horses, you're going to end up with one person taking the majority of the purse money while the other three barely make ends meet for the month. Fifth and beyond are left well into the hole.
Concerning the majority of us, the wagering patron, someone has to lose 20% from every race to pay for the takeout. Consequently this constant dog eat dog environment in horse racing breeds a lot of resentment, especially if one trainer claims off another and turns that horse into a super star or if a lucky patron cashes $.55 million on a $4 pick-6 ticket (said patron cashed twice, 1 $2 and 1 $4 ticket). All this resentment eventually reaches such a boil that many in the sport become jaded and spiteful towards one another. Consequently they lash out, just like the above trainer. In the end all this harbored animosity just brings harm to the sport.
It may just be a "Candy Land" optimistic approach, but can't horse racing at least try to work together and show common courtesy? Maybe I'm alone on this but in the Ambassador Program you need to be polite to insure repeat customers. I've learned to tell everyone "that's a good choice" regarding their wagers because I've been humbled by some people getting $120 back on a $5 win bet when its their first time and first wager at the races. When someone else wins during the program I try to offer my congratulations even if I got completely hosed. Think about it, if other people do nothing but lose and you rub it in their face or give them hard looks and brush offs when they do succeed they're eventually going to give up on the game. Then when they leave the sport how are you going to win their money?
I've said this before but it bears repeating. Horse racing needs to collaborate. When people work together they're more successful. Ever heard these sayings?
"A cord of three strands is not easily broken."
"A house divided cannot stand."
Tracks need to work together, sharing vendors to cut costs and pooling resources to increase purchasing power. Wagering platforms need to end exclusivities instead of trying to force one another into the dark. (Instead all they accomplish is upset the customer caught in the middle who wants to just bet on the Derby.) We need to condense all the leadership factions into fewer ones to reduce administration expenses, have fewer conflicts, and speed up the decision making processes. Opposing trainers need to at least show respect to one another and stop the slandering, otherwise their owners will lose trust in both of them and walk. Partnerships need to be straight up and not bamboozle their investors with broken horses and fine print. Otherwise they will sour owners before they can make a serious long term investment. Bettors need to be polite at the windows and show some dignity towards one another. We're all in this together.
Can racing overcome itself? The answer depends squarely upon each individual who makes up the whole of our sport. Whether they are at the top or the bottom, we are only as strong as our weakest link. If we want to see racing last for the next generation, think twice, go the extra mile, and be the bigger individual. Collaborate and congratulate. Breed honesty and respect.
Maybe then our sport will be a little better off.
Perseverance!
