Well, well, well. It seems that, no matter how hard they try–Churchill Downs, that is, CDI, the corporate giant that owns Churchill Downs and therefore, the Kentucky Derby–keeps stepping in it.
In fact, it appears that CDI’s responsible for the big pile into which they keep stepping. In the space of 10 days or so, they’ve managed to alienate virtually everyone who actually matters in horse racing. Except, that is, the bimbo starlets whom they pay to attend the races for a couple of days in May…
First, CDI announced that their takeout will be increased. DRF (the Daily Racing Form) announced on April 11 that “…Takeout on win, place and show bets will rise from 16 percent of every betting dollar to 17.5 percent, a jump of 9.4 percent.”
That’s a big chunk of change. That announcement enraged a lot of betting folks, from the dollar-across-the-board people like me to those who put $200 on a horse to win.
Next, the bloodthirsty moneygrubbers at Churchill Downs went for the horse owners–you know, those people without whom there would BE no horse racing? The folks who pour their cash and hopes into a horse to get her/him to the track?
Rick Porter--an owner of many years’ standing–has been kicked in the cannon bones by Churchill Downs. You know Mr. Porter: among others, his Fox Hill Farm campaigned Horse of the Year, Havre de Grace. Yeah, THAT Rick Porter. Not a slouch. Not a second-stringer. A horseman who’s dedicated to the sport.
Well, Churchill Downs doesn’t think he’s All That. In fact, they’re treating him like he’s just another piker.
I take that back: they treat the pikers better. Churchill Downs treats the idiot drunks who’ll pay forty bucks to get bombed in the Derby infield–better than they’re treating Rick Porter. This should enrage you. It enrages me. (Come a little closer, so I can whisper in your ear: You see…without owners like Rick Porter…horse racing doesn’t exist. Without the infield drunks…well, the infield drunks are useless, puerile juvenile delinquents.)
But the infield drunks get royal treatment, while owners like Rick Porter get…squat. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. Zero.
The fact that his wonderful colt, the talented Normandy Invasion, will race in the G2 Alysheba Stakes on Kentucky Oaks Day means NOTHING to CDI.
Rick Porter can’t get a seat to watch his horse race. As a horse owner of an Oaks undercard horse–he doesn’t get seats or even admission to the track.
If he wants to see Normandy Invasion race, he’ll have to stand in line and pay general admission.
That is a sin. That is wrong. That is idiotic.
If Mr.Porter decided to boycott CDI tracks after this weekend–never to race any of his horses on any CDI track, ever again–I wouldn’t blame him.
To think that the infield drunks will be touted as “race fans” and all manner of media coverage of the debauchery will be given the OK with a wink by CDI–while legitimate racing professionals are treated like crap–that is wrong.
(I’m guessing that CDI holds the same contempt for all horse owners. Only infield drunks and movie stars–the cheap seats and Millionaires’ Row–will get big, red, Kentucky Derby lip prints on their lily-White butts.)
Read about the stupidity here:
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/fox-hill-farms-porter-churchill-made-an-irresponsible-mistake/The third–but certainly not last–affront was announced today. I nearly dropped my night vision goggles when I read the Paulick Report’s relay of Hall of Fame Jockey, Ron Turcotte, citing offenses that he’s suffered at the ham-handed fists of Churchill Downs. CDI has gone from rude, inappropriate and ignorant to Bully status:
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/hall-of-famer-turcotte-issues-statement-against-churchill-downs/I am out of my mind with rage. If you’re a sincere race fan–or even a human being–you’re enraged, as well. Let’s start with all that Mr.Turcotte has done for the sport of horse racing.
Ron Turcotte, CM (Order of Canada–akin to knighthood)–rode some amazing horses in his day: Arts and Letters, Dahlia, Damascus, Fort Marcy, Northern Dancer, Shuvee,Tom Rolfe.
Oh, yes. And then there was Riva Ridge and Secretariat.
As you read Mr. Turcotte’s letter about atrocities at the hands of CDI, your blood will boil. NO human being should be treated thus–NO person in a wheelchair or with any disability should be treated with such callous disrespect and disregard.
Ever. Anywhere. For any reason.
But for Churchill Downs to treat Mr. Turcotte with such blatant animosity? Not to acknowledge the fact that he’s racing royalty?!?! THAT is absolutely, unequivocally unacceptable.
Not only should they roll out the red carpet for him every time he comes to town–he should be granted the BEST table on Millionaires’ Row. Move over, Snooki: someone IMPORTANT is in the house.
So here we have three examples of Churchill Downs’ utter disregard for horse racing-–for anyone who’s genuinely involved. Bettors, owners and jockeys–all treated like garbage on the one hand, while trashy reality TV stars are paid to attend, and catered to at every turn.
Does this seem fair to you? Is this any way to run a sporting venue?
Is this the image we want of horse racing?
Clearly, Kentucky Derby Day now is nothing more than one gigantic reality TV show–only those who are famous-for-being-famous, bouncy, fluffy, moderately attractive and able to teeter erect on two stilettos are given any kind of consideration.
Those who love horse racing–those who bet, own or ride–are insignificant to CDI.
And women! NBC Sports thinks that we watch for the FASHION. Get that. But that’s another column, which I’ll post tomorrow.
Let’s face it: CDI doesn’t give a barn-rat’s tiny ass about anyone who’s actually involved in horse racing. Unless your face has been plastered all over Us magazine–they have no use for you.
We can write all we want about it–post it all over Facebook–tweet our brains out. But unless we DO something about it–they won’t care.
Would you dare not to BET on Kentucky Derby Day, on any of the races at Churchill Downs?
You’re mad about the takeout? Then don’t hand your money to CDI.
Bet on races at other tracks–go ahead, have a great time. This really is our opportunity to put our money wherein lay our mouths: let’s bet on every track EXCEPT Churchill Downs on the First Saturday in May.
Obviously, CDI is just about the Bottom Line. If we can affect that bottom line on Saturday, May 3rd–they might realize that we’re far more than “just” bettors, owners and jockeys.
We are a community, and we stand up for what’s right.
