Will The Federal Government Take Control Of Harness Racing?

[Elgin]

Will The Federal Government Take Control Of
Harness Racing?
By Bill Finley

While harness racing has been largely unscathed while
both the New York Times and certain politicians have been
skewering thoroughbred racing, the standardbred side is
not exactly immune to the onslaught. In a Congressional
hearing held Monday in Kennett Square, Pa., it was made
clear that should the federal government take control of
thoroughbred racing, a move that is part of a bill that has
been introduced, harness
racing would fall
into the same boat.

[careless hal]

Many changes will come about when the Feds take over.    All starters will share in the purse equally.  It's not fair that the best horses make most of the money, along with their rich owners and trainers, while others struggle to survive.  Takeouts will increase dramaticaly.  It's not fair that the idle rich have money to bet on horses while others struggle to collect the welfare checks. Racing secretaries will be replaced by race track czars who will develop a system of placing horses in the right class.  If you are a heavy contibutor, your horses will be placed in a higher class and make more money.  There will be strict limits on the payouts.  No more than 10-1 for a winner, 20-1on an exacta, 30-1 on a tri.  Pick fours will be capperd at $1,500.
It's not fair that better cappers be rewarded with lucrative payouts.  The extra money will go into a slush fund fund for the needy.  Purses will be equallized throughout the country.  Why should Yonkers horsemen benefit from high purses while at Lebenon they are racing for peanuts? I can't wait!!!
 

[Wilderness]

"In the meantime, there is hardly any surveillance
of the horses that are permanently stabled on the racetrack"

The article is obviously referring to T-Breds.

Most S-Bred tracks today, have reduced on-track stables to a few barns, while others offer none at all.

[Elgin]

After the Moonstone Bay

[Wilderness]

The following from the Nov 1942 Hoof Heats and the "As We See it" column, where a reader responds to the previously submitted Oct 1942 article:

The last issue of HOOF BEATS contained an article on the inhuman practice some drivers employ in the matter of punishing their horses in driving them in trotting and pacing races. Responses from our readers was asked for, and among the many received the following letter from Lena Allen Davis, of Dighton, Mass., stands out as a shining example of the revulsion that is felt by spectators at harness horse meetings where the so unnecessary strong-arm tactics of the "hell-bent-for-leather finishers" is used. We thank

Miss Davis for her letter and we very gladly publish it:

In the October issue of HOOF BEATS there is a picture of two drivers teaming their mounts to the finish in a humane way

[Elgin]

Big M Implements New Whipping Policy
Published: May 4, 2012 12:46 pm ET

A change in rules governing the use of the whip in harness races at the Meadowlands Racetrack will take effect this weekend.
In an effort to safeguard the welfare of horses, New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC (NMRLLC) requested the assistance of the New Jersey Racing Commission by implementing a new and expansive policy concerning the use of the whip by drivers in harness races conducted at the Meadowlands. The new policy clarifies provisions contained in the current NJRC rule which prohibits the brutal and indiscriminate use of the whip upon any horse.

[LVGaryD]

WHen the  Feds get involved, good things turn into bad things and bad things become much worse things.

[Danville]

Many changes will come about when the Feds take over.    All starters will share in the purse equally.  It's not fair that the best horses make most of the money, along with their rich owners and trainers, while others struggle to survive.  Takeouts will increase dramaticaly.  It's not fair that the idle rich have money to bet on horses while others struggle to collect the welfare checks. Racing secretaries will be replaced by race track czars who will develop a system of placing horses in the right class.  If you are a heavy contibutor, your horses will be placed in a higher class and make more money.  There will be strict limits on the payouts.  No more than 10-1 for a winner, 20-1on an exacta, 30-1 on a tri.  Pick fours will be capperd at $1,500.
It's not fair that better cappers be rewarded with lucrative payouts.  The extra money will go into a slush fund fund for the needy.  Purses will be equallized throughout the country.  Why should Yonkers horsemen benefit from high purses while at Lebenon they are racing for peanuts? I can't wait!!!
 

I really want to laugh at your great post Hal, I really do!
Knowing the ways of our government over the years and for the past three years in particular, it's awfully hard to laugh at what hits so cl;osely to the perceived reality of our marxist state and it's czars.

[Elgin]

Gural Supports Federal Regulation Of Racing

Published: May 7, 2012 2:53 pm ET

Racetrack owner-operator Jeff Gural has again voiced his support for the idea of utilizing revenue derived from slot machines for drug testing, but he has now also stated that he is in support for federal regulation of the horse-racing industry.
Gural's stance has come to light via an article by The Ithaca Journal. The report starts off by focusing on the lives of former racehorses, but it ends up casting its light on Gural, who states his feeling regarding the funding for drug testing and the national regulation of the game.
"We do have a problem with illegal medication and I think we should use some of the slots money to help fund additional drug testing," he said.
Gural went on to say, "At the state level, all racetracks are regulated by state racing commissions. We would probably be better off if there was one central governing body, which is why a proposal bringing the federal government into play would make sense if it were done right."

(With files from The Ithaca Journal)
(Standardbred Canada)

[LVGaryD]

I would respectfully ask Mr. Gural exactly when it was the federal government did anything right?

[AmyHollar]

I'd support it if they helped us get our share of what is wagered over the net.

[Just Saying]

Gural Supports Federal Regulation Of Racing

Published: May 7, 2012 2:53 pm ET

 ...which is why a proposal bringing the federal government into play would make sense if it were done right.

Yeah... right. That will take a big problem and turn it into a gargantuan problem. ...but it will be surprisingly more expensive than originally estimated.

Regardless, we must do it for the children.

[Elgin]

Janet Napolitano is getting burned out at Homeland Security. If they made it a cabinet level position, she might want to be the new Secretary of Racing And Wagering.

[Just Saying]

Janet Napolitano is getting burned out at Homeland Security. If they made it a cabinet level position, she might want to be the new Secretary of Racing And Wagering.

She'd screw that up, too.