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Jockey's and Trainer's Thread Horse Racing
From: Derby132
3/5/20
What the heck is going on? We're losing the good guys....
Well, I guess I owe everyone an explanation on today's news. I love racing more than words can explain. Since 2012 I have tried to no avail to land on the management side of racing because I never sleep. I am constantly thinking of ways to make things better and to improve racing. The Federal Department of Labor went through the racing community establishing new rules, which if followed will pretty much run anyone with less than 100 horses out of the game. So my choices were ...follow their rules, cheat or cut corners. I can not do any of the above. If I follow their rules I bleed to death. I will not cheat or cut corners so here I am walking away from training. Kieran McLaughlin coming out this morning saying the exact same thing tells it all.
So I am not really leaving. Just not going to train their way. Jennifer is very sick and could use me home for awhile. During that time I am hoping the phone will ring and I can use my work ethic and knowledge of this game to land on the management side of racing anywhere in the world. I can and will make a difference if I am given that chance. Until that time I will take care of my wife and keep an eye on the horses.
I love this business far too much to simply walk away
From: Derby132
3/5/20
‘I’ve Had Enough’: After 35 Years, Contessa Leaving Training Game
by Natalie Voss
“I've had enough,” said Contessa this week. “It's virtually impossible. Lots of people are going to continue to try, because that's what we have in our blood, but I've been doing this for 35 years and it's become increasingly impossible with the protocol put in place by the Department of Labor, among other things, to stay in business.”
When I had 100 horses, I could absorb this, but when I have 40 horses and 20 of them are so-so, it's not enough to overcome what the Department of Labor is expecting of us,”
From: gerchgo
3/5/20
It’s a shame that we don’t have a national governing body to offer insurance to backstretch workers. I don’t know the particulars of what or how they pay “bonus” money ( assume that’s OT?), but if trainers had written contracts with employees, with a liaison person, they should be able to work on a contract basis? I know the Labor Board is looking out for the employees, but wouldn’t you think they have different sets of bylaws for workers like this? It will ruin N.Y. racing.:(
From: Derby132
3/5/20
I'm guessing bonus is for overtime. I hope there is a fair resolution for all in the future. Contessa is the kind of guy the sport needs. He does a lot to try to grow the sport by sharing it and bringing in new fans.
From: Amy (1pony)
3/7/20
3 days of racing and the small fields is a concern to me as a fan. The cost of living is high in Ca so I do not blame him for making the move and wish him luck!
From: Amy (1pony)
3/7/20
I wonder what will happen.
Smith, Ortiz Jr. to Have Appeals Heard in Saudi March 8
Jockeys Mike Smith and Irad Ortiz Jr., each issued lengthy suspensions for riding infractions at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Saudi Arabia Feb. 29, mostly due to the use of the whip, will have appeals heard before Saudi racing officials there March 8.
Read more from BloodHorse.comFrom: gerchgo
3/8/20
15 horses die in barn fire, a GoFundMe page is included in article. So very sad, RIP sweet horses:(
From: Derby132
3/9/20
Tom WinterVerified account @Tom_Winter 27 minutes ago
NBC News: Federal prosecutors and the FBI in New York to hold a press conference at 11am today to announce charges against 27 people in the professional horse racing industry (including vets and trainers) in a scheme to allegedly illegally dope racehorses.
Among those charged is trainer Jorge Navarro....
- Edited March 9, 2020 10:01 am by Derby132