Churchill responds to CC owners

[JustRalph]

http://www.wdrb.com/story/25545222/california-chrome-owners-uneasy-over-churchill-downs-experience

[ArlJim78]

I'm starting to like this Coburn fella. focus now goes to Nyra, hope they're taking notes on what not to do. :D

[Clocker]

CD treats everyone equally. (http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/triplecrown2014/story/_/id/10863749/secretariat-jockey-ron-turcotte-says-kentucky-derby-snubbed-him)

The jockey who rode Secretariat to the Triple Crown says he's skipping the Kentucky Derby on Saturday after being snubbed by the track's management.

Ron Turcotte, the paralyzed Hall of Fame rider, said Wednesday he couldn't get a parking spot during his last Derby Day visit to Churchill Downs, and then couldn't even get into the track to watch last year's race.

The two-time Derby winner said he was so disgusted by how he was treated that he decided not to attend the 140th Run for the Roses.

[sandpit]

Because of my past employment experience in this sport, I thought I'd offer my insights to the issues at CD, which mainly stem from CD Inc.

There are many hard-working, long-term employees in the Churchill Downs guest services department (full disclosure: never worked in that area) that go out of their way to help patrons on a daily basis, and it's no thanks to the corporate management, who rarely came out of their ivory tower when the corporate headquarters were located at the track, and now that they've moved some 15 miles away, they only show up on Oaks and Derby days (which is probably actually a relief to the racetrack employees).

As most of you can probably tell, John Asher is one of the most dedicated people at the track, and no matter what they are paying him, you cannot compensate the man well enough for the dedication, knowledge and love he has for the history of Churchill Downs and the Derby. Again, he unfortunately is hamstrung by his bosses.

Derby and Oaks days have become victims of their own success. The needless and incredibly complex myriad of passes, armbands, tickets, etc. that people have for various levels of access makes for a complete cluster, which makes it all the more difficult on the GS department. On Oaks day this year, I went (illegally because the 17yo girl checking credentials had no clue who should or shouldn't be allowed in) into the new Grandstand Terrace area they built at the head of the stretch. It is a very nice area, but the place was only half-full, and this was well into the day. They probably over-priced the thing astronomically; I looked on their website and couldn't find the ticket costs.

I'll sum up my rambling with a quote that is widely known around Louisville. "The people in town with the biggest smiles on their faces are ex-Churchill Downs employees."

[Skanoochies]

At the presentation to the owners today, Coburn gave quite a shot to Churchill downs. Anyone else notice that?

[anotherCAfan]

Yes! I think he has a point, although I'm sure he will be slammed by many in the horse racing community. So far, this year, Churchill has been called to task for:

Availability of tickets for horse owners whose horses run on Derby and Oaks days
Mistreatment of Ron Turcotte

I'm unsure if these were what his comment referred to, but I think his comment was great. It's nice to see someone speak his/her mind.

[depalma113]

You forgot raping the Fairgrounds.

[SecretAgentMan]

Coburn stated on can what lots of people are thinking but are scared to say on TV. There's always a politically correct way the media wants to get things across & its good to see people like Coburn state things but I wasn't sure exactly what he was referring to but whatever it was, it definitely had to do with what's going on at Churchill..........

[nvemil]

You forgot raping the Fairgrounds.

Add Calder. Although in that case past tense.

[Tom]

What did he say?
I love a good CD bashing.

[Skanoochies]

He was thanking Pimlico and all of the fans for the way they were treated there. At the end he said something like "Churchill should take a lesson from that" or something to that effect. I1d had a few drinks. :lol:

[breezing]

What did he say?
I love a good CD bashing.

"I just want to thank the people of Maryland for all the hospitality they've shown us," Coburn said. "And Churchill, you need to take a lesson on this – you really, really do, because these people have been absolutely fabulous."

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/triple/2014/05/17/chrome-owner-says-churchill-can-take-a-lesson/9229235/

[Tom]

CD is a disgusting cancer on the game.
Glad someone is not afraid to call out scumbags in public! :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

[PaceAdvantage]

Threads merged

[Stillriledup]

CD is a disgusting cancer on the game.
Glad someone is not afraid to call out scumbags in public! :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

Here here! :ThmbUp:

[johnhannibalsmith]

Speaking of which, can we wait until CDI (and a few others in that vain) officially destroy the catalyst product before we centralize racing and these are the movers and shakers with influence enough to dictate policy through legislative mouthpieces, please?

[Stillriledup]

http://www.wdrb.com/story/25545222/california-chrome-owners-uneasy-over-churchill-downs-experience

Why would they respond with stuff like this, do they think we were born last night?

This is just another example of CD thinking horseplayers and customers of the game are stupid.

[Dark Horse]

Coburn is a marketing genius. There's no way he wasn't looking ahead at Belmont when he reflected on CD. After already branding CC as 'America's Horse'. He understands the politics involved, and remains a step ahead of the game.

[Mad Scientist]

The people at CD are snobs. Just like much of horse racing patrons. The idea of a Cal bred performing on the worlds biggest stage is a joke to them and many others. Well CC is showing the jokes on them. I hope after CC takes down the TC that his connections snub Churchill downs in every way possible.

[PaceAdvantage]

The people at CD are snobs. Just like much of horse racing patrons. The idea of a Cal bred performing on the worlds biggest stage is a joke to them and many others. Well CC is showing the jokes on them. I hope after CC takes down the TC that his connections snub Churchill downs in every way possible.Let me ask you a serious question, if that's possible.

What kind of treatment did other horses/trainers/owners at CD receive compared to CC's camp? Did CC's owners use any comparisons to prove just how worse they were treated than other connections?

Without comparison, the whole story is a bit suspect.

CD seems to treat most everyone with disregard these days. Look how they have been treating Ron Turcotte. Secretariat wasn't no Cal-bred...why would they dis Turcotte?

This whole "woe is the California horse when they go out east" stuff is boring me...it's all hat and no cattle.

As an aspiring professional player, I expect better from you.

[Grits]

The people at CD are snobs. Just like much of horse racing patrons. The idea of a Cal bred performing on the worlds biggest stage is a joke to them and many others. Well CC is showing the jokes on them. I hope after CC takes down the TC that his connections snub Churchill downs in every way possible.

For one who is such a sharp handicapper--sharp in the selection's thread--you can write some of the wildest, most foolish comments I've read in a while. The stuff of paranoia and bitterness. You lost me completely with the above comment.

--FWIW. It won't take California Chrome or his connections taking down the Triple Crown to show me anything regarding the California breeding program.

I learned plenty, long ago, from TIZNOW, his trainer, Jay Robbins and his owner, Celia Straub Reubens. Winning back to back Breeders' Cup Classics.

How can you make these kinds of statements? You're the one convinced of such disdain. Perhaps, you need to look at yourself.

[Greyfox]

Any organization that has to look after 160,000 customers on a given day knows that it is nigh impossible to please them all.
Cut CD some slack here.

[PaceAdvantage]

We're not really talking about customers here. We're talking about race participants. They are a separate group with separate needs and considerations, and rightly so.

There was obviously a contingent of folks working for CD whose sole task was to see to the needs of race participants, and according to some of those participants, both pre-race day and on race day, they failed.

This really has nothing to do with the size of the general fan base that showed up that day.

[Greyfox]

We're not really talking about customers here. We're talking about race participants. They are a separate group with separate needs and considerations, and rightly so.

There was obviously a contingent of folks working for CD whose sole task was to see to the needs of race participants, and according to some of those participants, both pre-race day and on race day, they failed.

This really has nothing to do with the size of the general fan base that showed up that day.

On a 12 race card averaging 10 or more horses each you have a lot of participants to look after as well, including jockeys, trainers, owners, grooms, journalists, TV media, vets and relatives etc..
Even with a horse on the undercard, many requests from lesser participants would be made.
The volunteer base is only so large and certainly would be stressed.
Staging the event is challenging and CD should be cut some slack.

[PaceAdvantage]

Having volunteers run the show is probably their biggest mistake.

[Greyfox]

Having volunteers run the show is probably their biggest mistake.

Volunteers help run the show and it probably could not be staged without them.
One owner mouthed off about a poor experience at Churchill.
That does not mean that Churchill "failed" - as you have stated in an earlier post.
There may be another owner that didn't like his treatment at Pimlico - we don't know.
When large events are staged, it is impossible to please everyone.
Churchill should note the man's complaints and make sure that they don't happen again.
In the meanwhile, I suspect, many owners are thrilled by their experience at Churchill.
Unfortunately, as in many instances, satisfied people don't speak out and the squeeky wheel gets the grease comes into play.

[tucker6]

Having volunteers run the show is probably their biggest mistake.
Volunteers man nearly all aspects of pro golf tournaments, and we don't hear a peep about problems over four days and similar acreage. There are 150 participants at a tourney with tourney cars and specific traffic control for their needs and their family's. There is a volunteer for each participant during the tourney on the grounds to meet their every reasonable need. I don't believe using volunteers is a problem in and of itself. CD either lacks sufficient volunteers, or the ones they are using are insufficiently trained, or both.

[Clocker]

There are 150 participants at a tourney with tourney cars and specific traffic control for their needs and their family's.

There were 19 participants and their "families" at the biggest race on the biggest day of the year at CD. With the exception of that relatively small percentage of the population that cares about things like take-out and such, that race is CD, period.

How many people in those 19 sets of connections had special needs, like wheel-chair access? A couple? CD couldn't figure out how to handle that?

[Saratoga_Mike]

CD is a disgusting cancer on the game.
Glad someone is not afraid to call out scumbags in public! :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

Churchill Downs is a publicly trade company. They're in the business of maximizing shareholder value. I know you're a capitalist. Therefore, I'm surprised by your description of CHDN. The company's management team realizes there are better returns to be earned in the casino business than the horse-racing business. That makes them scumbags?

[fast4522]

`The owners now say if they are not allowed to run CC with his nasal strip they might skip the Belmont.

[Saratoga_Mike]

`The owners now say if they are not allowed to run CC with his nasal strip they might skip the Belmont.

They're bluffing.

[fast4522]

If you do not run things as a business, you resemble the United States.

[cj's dad]

I find it amusing that those here who benefit from race track sponsership

have a very difficult time criticizing anything to do with those sponsers !

[Dark Horse]

They're bluffing.

I wouldn't be so sure. One of the two owners didn't even show up at the Preakness because of how he was treated at CD. They are not going to be pushed around by Belmont.

[Robert Fischer]

I don't know what they will decide on, but I do have the sudden urge to buy some nasal strips.

[Clocker]

Right or wrong, a ban on nasal strips has been in effect at Belmont for many years. Not granting an exemption to the standard conditions of racing for one horse can hardly be called pushing someone around. It is up to the connections of the horse to know the conditions of a race when they enter him.

The stewards should drop the ruling for all horses from now on. If they don't, they are stupid. If the rule stands and the horse is pulled out of the race, the connections are stupid.

[wiffleball whizz]

This has to be the longest stay for a horse that won the kentucky derby and preakness to stay hanging around at pimlico.....

I've heard the horses arrive Thursday and are out by early Sunday AM....

The must not mind being 30 feet away from winner ave :eek: :eek: :eek: :lol:

[Saratoga_Mike]

I wouldn't be so sure. One of the two owners didn't even show up at the Preakness because of how he was treated at CD. They are not going to be pushed around by Belmont.

I didn't realize that. I only watched about five minutes of the pre-race coverage and the race itself. I saw the obnoxious guy was in attendance. He should have stayed home. Hell, let them skip the Belmont and live up to their stable's name.

[BettinBilly]

Having volunteers run the show is probably their biggest mistake.

Absolutely.

FWIW, I am a Race Director in another sport. Now, my company is certainly not anywhere near the size of CDI, but we are not small. Some of our venues are fairly large, with over 800 athletes participating and over 2,000 spectators. We can't run them without volunteers. It would be so cost prohibitive to have enough employees to do everything necessary, Race Directors would be out of business after only 1 venue production.

Therefore, it falls to me, the Race Director, to give good, appropriate and solid education to my volunteers and team members on what they are about to do and how they should go about it. They are the face of my company on the public and with the athletes. If I were to tell them "YOU CRACK KNUCKLES IF YOU HAVE TO BUT NO ONE GOES BEYOND THIS POINT WITHOUT A PASS, AND DON'T TAKE ANY CRAP FROM ANYBODY.", then I would expect that attitude to ring through to my athletes and spectators, whom would probably not attend any more of my venues.

The key here is that management must have the right training, education, guidance and attitude that they must impress upon the volunteers. It all starts with management - with my company or with Churchill. That's the only way to assure your volunteers do the proper job. Also, there are jobs that a volunteer should not and can not do. If I try and cut corners too much and place volunteers at key points that need an experienced employee, I'm not only cheating my athletes (customers), I'm shooting my company in the foot.

[fast4522]

the article. . . .

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/will-california-chrome-skip-the-belmont/

[Tom]

How many people in those 19 sets of connections had special needs, like wheel-chair access? A couple? CD couldn't figure out how to handle that?

They couldn't handle Ron Turcotte. They are bums.

[Tom]

Churchill Downs is a publicly trade company. They're in the business of maximizing shareholder value. I know you're a capitalist. Therefore, I'm surprised by your description of CHDN. The company's management team realizes there are better returns to be earned in the casino business than the horse-racing business. That makes them scumbags?
Yes, it does.
I am a capitalist, but I am more a customer.
Not to CD ever again I think you can be profitable without being a scumbag. CD hasn't figured that out.

[Clocker]

Not to CD ever again I think you can be profitable without being a scumbag. CD hasn't figured that out.

The irony is that CD is becoming more and more of a casino company. Does anyone think that a high roller at a CD casino would ever have a single bump in the road getting to the tables? Don't the people that bring a top contender to the Derby rate the same attention as a high roller at a CD casino? How many full time hosts are on the CD casino payrolls, taking care of the high rollers?

[Stillriledup]

Let me ask you a serious question, if that's possible.

What kind of treatment did other horses/trainers/owners at CD receive compared to CC's camp? Did CC's owners use any comparisons to prove just how worse they were treated than other connections?

Without comparison, the whole story is a bit suspect.

CD seems to treat most everyone with disregard these days. Look how they have been treating Ron Turcotte. Secretariat wasn't no Cal-bred...why would they dis Turcotte?

This whole "woe is the California horse when they go out east" stuff is boring me...it's all hat and no cattle.

As an aspiring professional player, I expect better from you.

Why would the story be suspect? Its not like they had some "Agenda" because if they did, they would have said Pimlico treated them like crap too.

[sammy the sage]

another side to the story....from a good poster who was personally involved...http://www.network54.com/Forum/366748/thread/1400375525/last-1400467285/CC%27s+owner+takes+a+swipe+at+CD

Probably will catch hell for this here on the Forum but I don't care. Mr Coburn's comment hit a nerve, an especially personal one. Not sure what his entire experience Derby was like and certainly can't say how they were treated the entire day. Perhaps he made a general comment regarding the treatment he and his partner received at Churchill, but I know what I did and what many others did to make sure the winning connections were treated with every possible convenience they could ask for. I feel for Mr Martin's mother, a woman of some years in a wheelchair as navigating 156,000 people must be nearly impossible. That's the exact reason why I delivered the garland of roses to the museum and ran back through the crowd and back across the track with 3 others to CARRY her in her wheelchair across the track and into winner's celebration at the Derby Museum.

After the press conference and escorting the connections to the museum, essentially my long two days working for Churchill was over. However, Mrs Coburn had tickets she wanted to cash so I personally escorted her out, found a mutuel supervisor, who when he learned who the customer was, cleared a line so she could claim her winnings without wait ensuring she could return to the party without delay. When rejoining the party, I even played barmaid getting Mrs Coburn her requested double gin and Sprite in leu of the mint julep that was being used for the celebratory toast.

[Stillriledup]

They're bluffing.

They should sell the horse to someone who has an unlimited supply of money who wants to "buy" a Triple Crown 'winner'?

[Greyfox]

another side to the story....from a good poster who was personally involved...http://www.network54.com/Forum/366748/thread/1400375525/last-1400467285/CC%27s+owner+takes+a+swipe+at+CD

Probably will catch hell for this here on the Forum but I don't care. Mr Coburn's comment hit a nerve, an especially personal one. Not sure what his entire experience Derby was like and certainly can't say how they were treated the entire day. Perhaps he made a general comment regarding the treatment he and his partner received at Churchill, but I know what I did and what many others did to make sure the winning connections were treated with every possible convenience they could ask for. I feel for Mr Martin's mother, a woman of some years in a wheelchair as navigating 156,000 people must be nearly impossible. That's the exact reason why I delivered the garland of roses to the museum and ran back through the crowd and back across the track with 3 others to CARRY her in her wheelchair across the track and into winner's celebration at the Derby Museum.

After the press conference and escorting the connections to the museum, essentially my long two days working for Churchill was over. However, Mrs Coburn had tickets she wanted to cash so I personally escorted her out, found a mutuel supervisor, who when he learned who the customer was, cleared a line so she could claim her winnings without wait ensuring she could return to the party without delay. When rejoining the party, I even played barmaid getting Mrs Coburn her requested double gin and Sprite in leu of the mint julep that was being used for the celebratory toast.

Whoever Ozzy is, the writer of that post at another web site, deserves a hug.
Thank you for posting that Sammy the Sage. :ThmbUp:
(And No! Curtis on the Bay (formerly posting as cj's dad), my company has never received a penny of sponsorship from Churchill Downs. You're up a gum tree with that remark.)

[Stillriledup]

Whoever Ozzy is, the writer of that post at another web site, deserves a hug.
Thank you for posting that Sammy the Sage. :ThmbUp:
(And No! Curtis on the Bay (formerly posting as cj's dad), my company has never received a penny of sponsorship from Churchill Downs. You're up a gum tree with that remark.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bufTna0WArc :D

[PaceAdvantage]

Why would the story be suspect? Its not like they had some "Agenda" because if they did, they would have said Pimlico treated them like crap too.Suspect, in that perhaps they were treated just like all the other contenders in the race, when in fact they expected to be treated as if they had already won.

Switch to Pimlico, and here they are, the Kentucky Derby winner...the horse gets the stall that every Derby winner gets, and I'm sure they're doted upon a bit more, precisely because they are the Derby winner. Now they're treated up to their expectations...they are treated as the star of the show. Just like the headliner gets the biggest dressing room...the movie star gets the biggest trailer...etc...etc

I think they came into the Derby expecting people to treat them as the winner, when in fact they were treated just like every other Derby entrant...

Until I see proof that they were treated substantially worse than any other Derby entrant, I remain suspect of their claim. In their mind, I'm sure they feel slighted...but in reality, maybe not...

[menifee]

Suspect, in that perhaps they were treated just like all the other contenders in the race, when in fact they expected to be treated as if they had already won.

Switch to Pimlico, and here they are, the Kentucky Derby winner...the horse gets the stall that every Derby winner gets, and I'm sure they're doted upon a bit more, precisely because they are the Derby winner. Now they're treated up to their expectations...they are treated as the star of the show. Just like the headliner gets the biggest dressing room...the movie star gets the biggest trailer...etc...etc

I think they came into the Derby expecting people to treat them as the winner, when in fact they were treated just like every other Derby entrant...

Until I see proof that they were treated substantially worse than any other Derby entrant, I remain suspect of their claim. In their mind, I'm sure they feel slighted...but in reality, maybe not...

I think they were treated like every Derby entrant and that is the problem. Every Derby entrant's connections (in fact all the connections of the horses that run that day) are not treated well by CD. It is well documented.

From not accommodating the veterans connected to Normandy Invasion to not giving Ron Turcotte a handicap parking pass, CD is notorious for being shortsighted. There are too many examples to sight here. The concerning part is how they are treating people with disabilities. Turcotte, owner's mother, etc.

[JustRalph]

Seems to me Ozzy is describing a very short period in a long week of events. Coming from a customer service background, I can tell you that getting it right 99 times can be wiped out completely by the interaction of your one hundredth employee.

I still don't know why this guy dragged his mother to Churchill in her infirmed condition. I get it's a once in a lifetime event, I won't second guess him, not my place

[Stillriledup]

Suspect, in that perhaps they were treated just like all the other contenders in the race, when in fact they expected to be treated as if they had already won.

Switch to Pimlico, and here they are, the Kentucky Derby winner...the horse gets the stall that every Derby winner gets, and I'm sure they're doted upon a bit more, precisely because they are the Derby winner. Now they're treated up to their expectations...they are treated as the star of the show. Just like the headliner gets the biggest dressing room...the movie star gets the biggest trailer...etc...etc

I think they came into the Derby expecting people to treat them as the winner, when in fact they were treated just like every other Derby entrant...

Until I see proof that they were treated substantially worse than any other Derby entrant, I remain suspect of their claim. In their mind, I'm sure they feel slighted...but in reality, maybe not...

I like this logic, this is what might have happened, they were guaranteeing victory so they just felt they were special and when they got treated like "everyone else" they took that as "don't you know who we are".

Also true that Pimlico treated their horse and them like someone special, they might have even *nudge nudge wink wink* said that if they were to win, a nice 'plug" for Pimlico would be greatly appreciated.

[cj's dad]

Whoever Ozzy is, the writer of that post at another web site, deserves a hug.
Thank you for posting that Sammy the Sage. :ThmbUp:
(And No! Curtis on the Bay (formerly posting as cj's dad), my company has never received a penny of sponsorship from Churchill Downs. You're up a gum tree with that remark.)
Now thats funny, I was not referring to you at all. I have no idea what you do or that you are ? connected to CD, Oh well :lol:

[Greyfox]

Now thats funny, I was not referring to you at all. I have no idea what you do or that you are ? connected to CD, Oh well :lol:

Sorry about that then.
In post #33 you said:

"I find it amusing that those here who benefit from race track sponsership
have a very difficult time criticizing anything to do with those sponsers !"

As only two posters had provided any defence at all for Churchill when you made that comment, I mistakenly felt included.
My apologies to you for that error.
I simply wanted to make it clear that CD has never given a nickel of sponsorship to me or my firm.

[TJDave]

I still don't know why this guy dragged his mother to Churchill in her infirmed condition. I get it's a once in a lifetime event, I won't second guess him, not my place

Delicate point.

Someone disabled would have a valid complaint if they were denied access...but infirmed?

If it were my mother it would be up to me would provide everything necessary for her comfort... Including three guys to carry her wheelchair. The fact that Churchill provided this service is, IMO, above and beyond.

They're still dicks for the way they treated Turcotte, though.

[Dark Horse]

Just tossing this in here. Crushed CD expectations for the owners of Wildcat Red.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85345/wildcat-red-owners-unhappy-with-churchill

[Tom]

Ron Turcotte is going to be at Belmont. I bet he gets far better treatment there than he got at Chuchville Downs.