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http://www.horseraceinsider.com/John-Pricci/
Jockey Franchise Plan: Too Little, Too Late
By John Pricci

… Yesterday, the New York jockeys officially entered the local franchise morass. Johnny Velazquez, sounding more like Barack Obama’s campaign chairman than Board Chairman of the Jockeys‘ Guild, called for legislators to “initiate change” by better incorporating OTB systems into the income sharing process and maximizing all revenue streams eventually lead to a long-term industry solution.

… As a group, the local New York riders are a little late in recognizing the problem to the point of their own participation, yesterday’s press release stating what is uppermost in the minds of local riders, 13 of whom adding their names to a roster in support of Velazquez.

Beyond calling for change, it would have been better had the riders proposed a plan, or at least some idea of how the situation might be resolved. The solution needn’t even be correct. God knows no one has supplied the right answer yet, and they’ve had nearly six years to find one.

… The most cynical among us might question their motivation, arguing that their positions address mostly what‘s in their own best interest.

… let’s not forget that jockeys are willing risk-takers, private contractors who are entitled to a fee for basic services and a healthy percentage of the winning purse. And let’s remember, too, that the least successful day-to-day journeyman in the New York jocks’ room earns six figures a year while taking none of the monetary risk.…