Quote:
Originally Posted by thespaah
So, how is it that you are singling out Colonial when there are other boutique meets?
The same could be said for Keeneland, Saratoga, Kentucky Downs. Etc.
In my estimation, you view the existence of Colonial as a major inconvenience and I would also surmise that if the place never conducted another thoroughbred meet again, you would not lose a moment of sleep.
Well, with all candor, that isn't how the world works.
Obviously, the track operates well , thank you. That means lots of other trainers and back stretch workers have figured it out. And....It is NOT in the middle of nowhere. The track is located 30 minutes from down town Richmond. 40 minutes from Williamsburg and an hour from The Tidewater cities...
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And I did not state nor did I imply that any one person should "get better"...I clearly directed my comment at Maryland racing.
We were talking about 1997. We were also talking about a totally different management and all the rocky roads that usually follow with a start up project. The purses were less than what Laurels purses would be in the fall.
All those rocky roads fell at the feet of the horses, owners, trainers, workers, vets, valets, riders and more. If you google Colonial Downs 1997 you will find plenty of articles that will help you better understand it. Don't take my word for it, read what Vinnie Perrone wrote about it. Or others. But what you won't read is what I talked about. That is because I will no longer lose stalls, be sent to Bowie or the off track not racing to train, or any other heavy handed tactics to make me support something that was brutal in it's early years.
I'll address some of your comments.
You: you view the existence of Colonial as a major inconvenience
Me: In 1997 that is exactly what it was.
You: I would also surmise that if the place never conducted another thoroughbred meet again, you would not lose a moment of sleep.
Me: I left the game in 2001. It no longer matters to me.
You: Well, with all candor, that isn't how the world works.
Me: With all candor, you are going to teach me about how the world works?
C'mon man. Tone it down. I certainly don't need that from you.
You: Obviously, the track operates well , thank you. That means lots of other trainers and back stretch workers have figured it out.
Me: Yeah, 27 years and new ownership later.
I wonder if any of them think to thank those horses, grooms, hot walkers, owners, trainers and everyone that bore the brunt of the sacrifice given to be able to sell it to a management that did figure it out. I doubt it.
You: And....It is NOT in the middle of nowhere.
Me: Obviously our definitions of middle of nowhere are different .
You: I did not state nor did I imply that any one person should "get better"...I clearly directed my comment at Maryland racing.
Me: Yeah, I know that . I took a cheap shot at you there, but because you had takin multiple cheap shots at me, I thought you might enjoy one in return.
Kind of a shame that things get personnel when discussing racing sometimes. Fans are passionate about the game. That is wonderful. I as well am passionate about the game even after 23 years away from it. It let me down in one aspect in my estimation but years later, it is trying to get better. Won't help me and my career but hopefully it will help others with that same passion I felt.
I try and share that tricky thing called truth and what actually happened for fans that care to know. I don't honestly know if you do or not. It's fine with me either way.
I'll end with this: When I was a green hotwalker and first starting out in 1972 at Laurel there was an old groom that had worked on the track his whole life. I asked him one day, "Is the game on the level"? His answer was " The games on the level, it's some of the people in it that aren't".
In hindsight, that was probably the most honest and accurate sentence ever spoken about horse racing that I was ever told.
Thank you Mr. Berry ! Gosh, was he so right.
Good luck to you sir.
