George Rood asked: Why doesn't Hoof Beats do an article on the most dominant ownership operation in racing--Bulletproof Enterprises. They are like a big mystery that no one dares talk about. They are involved in every major race, but no one knows who they are--just some group hidden away in Florida. How about telling the fans who these guys are and what drives this operation?
Answer: Thanks for the suggestion. We will certainly consider it.
I seems like fall has jumped into central Ohio, and I am not sure we are ready. The rainy Jug was certainly an unwelcome distraction. I just spoke with Marilyn Jenne, a longtime Jug fan and visitor, and she lamented that the rain impacted her ability to suit in her box to watch great racing and to socialize—two great joys of the Delaware. It was, of course, still a great day of racing, and Well Said made sure the 2009 Jug was memorable. How about the Ron Pierce—he was as happy as I have ever seen him after a race. You’d think it was his first win, not his fourth. I was so glad to see him celebrating with the fans—it made the event even more special—and I wish more drivers realized showing their emotion helps everyone get more involved with the race and the winner!
Kudos to the HB staff for getting the Jug in our October issues. Truth be told, our deadline to get to the printer was Wednesday, Sept. 23, but I simply could not face an October book without the Jug. So we worked late into Thursday night (the Delaware fairgrounds are really dark at 10:30 p.m.) and from sun up to sun down Friday to get our story and photos together. We hope you agree it was worth it!
We are looking forward to heading to Lexington at the end of the week, though preliminary reports say the rain will be following us down there. I hope we can get one last burst of summer, so Muscle Hill has every chance to show how fast he is. There are few places more glorious than Lexington on a fast fall Saturday!
Have a great day!
Nicole
John Campbell closed the USTA Speaker Series with a capacity crowd. He was asked about his induction into the Canadian Sports Hall. “Everything I am is from my parents. My dad taught two people the horse business—me and my brother Jim. Jim was leading trainer and I was leading driver. Pretty good sire percentage.” He admitted his mother was disappointed when he quit school but she was supportive. She thought he should always go where competition the highest. John “hit the lottery” when he met and fell in love with wife, Paula. His schedule takes him all over the place to race every summer for past 25 years. She never complains. “She was the quarterback of family life for all these years.”
When Niatross was in Jug in 1980, it was his first time to Delaware. Ed Lohmeyer, Shelly Goudreau and he were flying in from New Jersey and got messed up with flights. They chartered small plane from Cincinnati just to watch Niatross go. Very special. Next year all 3 of them were in Jug. Eddie and I fell down in first heat, and Shelly fell down in 2nd heat. Next Jug was Merger, and I owned and trained him. Just getting around the track was special. Certainly Life Sign, phenomenal performance. I was awestruck by his race and the crowd. Everyone knew they saw something special. One of most thrilling moments in my career.
Talked about Showherthemoney. Not surprised she won 2nd heat after way she won the 1st. Very unusual for a horse to lose that much ground and still win.
Are you in favor of heat racing: I am here. Gotten away from heat racing. Only couple places for it.. I was in favor of changing the Hambletonian. It’s a different venue. I am in favor of doing it the way they do it here now. That might change in the future if we aren’t drawing top horses. We didn’t last year but did this year. Have to make adjustments if it make a pattern that top horses don’t come. If don’t get top horses for fans to see and be close to, we will lose luster of the event. We have to go for more money here. In any business it all comes down to money. If you put up enough money they will race down Highway 23.
When he was asked how to be successful in business, he advocated working for someone who is successful and seeing how they do things.
To keep horses racing after age 3. He would like that, but recognizes challenge. Somebeachsomewhere and Dewyecheatumnhowe perfect examples. Both worth $8, million-$10 million. Big risk to come back at 4. If not successful, value can plummet in matter of three races. Can’t put enough purse money up to make it worth coming back.
Problem with our industry is so fragmented. Can’t get jurisdictions to agree on rules. He is in favor of keeping lines in each hand.
First elim is lighter—missed top 2-year-old of year. Won’t be that easy when get out there. Chance to drive Keep It Real first in Mohawk overnight. I didn’t want to be tough on him. Got him in a bad spot. He had a lot of pace. Had to check him 2 or 3 times in stretch. Had a little problem with foot. He was sound and easy to drive. I expect him to do well. Not sure if that’s enough. He is a gifted and talented horse. Hope he can build on that.
Longshot in 2nd elim—Born To Rockn Roll. A man’s got to know his limitations—same here. Can’t overdrive this horse., Have to find shortest way around. Hope something up front that’s suicidal. Hope he can pick up pieces. He is owned in Ohio. I know it s dream to have horse in the Jug for these people.
Well Said: class of this division. Post 8 is detriment. Not think he was strong in last win as he was earlier. Great gaited, fine looking. If he gets any break at all going into first turn, he is the one to beat.
Vintage Master gotten better as the year as gone on. I hope they get into an argument on the front.
Favorite horse is Argyle Chester. “Born on John’s 11th birthday, his grandmother owned him and gave him half. He became an invitational pacer. You can’t image the thrill going to see that horse with my grandmother.
Offset gate: Been discussed. I have mixed feelings. Go back to tradition. I like it the way it is. It helps a horse. Reason people get excited having the rail at Delaware.
Standardbred Retirement Foundation. Very proud of my wife and Judy Bokman for starting it 20 years ago. Sent out 200 horses—found homes. Have 130 on waiting list. We need to address this issue. They should be funded better by industry. We have to take responsibility.
Favorite track and how many years drive: Meadowlands, hard to argue that. Had a bit of luck there. Love [Delaware] and The Red Mile. I evaluate driving every year. As long as I am getting opportunity to drive a lot of the stakes and I am healthy, I will continue. Schedule not the same in winter. Only drive Friday and Saturday in January, February and March. Keep you sharp.
Murray Brown appointed him commissioner of harness racing. Asked what he would fix. John said he would streamline licensing for owners and make universal rules, for which he received resounding applause. Long laundry list have to address. Have to get people back to tracks, but what would we do with them? Have to address how fans are treated, educated to racing, how information fed to them, food and services. We have driven millions out of Meadowlands with food and service. We want to get them there, but we have figure out first what we will do once we get them there.
Will not retire back to Canada. Daughters and grandchildren in New Jersey and likely Florida in winter.
What’s future of Meadowlands: We will have horses when we open. Comes back to money. We don’t have purse money and that’s why field are short. Even with all its problems, only place can still handle big bettors with large pools. Everyone hoping we get slots in New Jersey. If we don’t, I think New Jersey racing is in serious jeopardy.
Steve Elliott and Ron Pierce are at the USTA Speaker Series. Pierce as asked which horse are you most worried about: “I’m going to look over as we leave out and see what’s going on.” Track is in “super tip-top shape.” Pierce talked about how drivable Well Said is: “He’s a classy colt, a great attitude, does anything you want to do with him. He gives 110-percent. Who should be favorite. Pierce said Well Said.
Both are very confident in Well Said’s ability, despite bad draw.
Murray Brown of Hanover Shoe Farms remembered looking at Well Said as a yearling. Not surprised colt ended up so good. He remembered hearing from Steve in February of Donato Hanover’s 2-year-old year that he was the best trotter ever trained. Asked same of well said. Steve said he was always good, but he was stupid. He would shy and jump all over the place.
Steve got a round of applause for bringing “world class horse” to Delaware.
Importance of Triple Crown was asked of Steve. He said it has to be revamped. History is history and should be left like that. Have to change with the times. $1 million races not considered for Triple Crown and that’s wrong. Every era is different. People knock that Well Said race on half-mile track; used to be all races on a half. Times change.
Ron was asked how he maintains strength required to hold horses. I’ve been doing it for long, all the muscles are strong already. When first started driving, had to get fingers, legs, back and arms stronger. Sit-ups, push-ups, squats when younger. As got older, body got in shape. The Trick is to get horses relaxed.
Ron asked if he talks to horses: We have our own language. Horses respond to your voice. Fillies treated differently than treat boys. Some of the boys you have to get fired up.
Steve talked about how important great help is and called his assistant trainer Toni Rose his right arm. She warmed Well Said up and he won, so Steve said she could keep doing it until he lost. Then Steve went back.
What a great morning we had at the USTA Speaker Series, with Dr. Margaret Mudge from Ohio State, Dave Brower and David Miller, and Tim Tetrick and Jimmy Takter all taking their turns in front of the microphone.
The crowds were overflowing—even with the early hour, and the respect and appreciation for our “celebrities” was evident from everyone in attendance.
Jimmy was actually not on our schedule, but he came by just to listen and there was no way we could not ask him to join us. And it was not just Jimmy who was sharing with his fans. His wife, Christina—who always looks so beautiful—was talking with fans also, especially one young girl who wished to be a groom. Christina patiently answered all her questions, shared secrets of her life in racing, and repeatedly silenced her ever-ringing phone to give undivided attention.
There is no way to truly express my appreciation to all the people who help out with the Speakers Series—from my USTA coworkers, to the wonderful horsemen and experts who share their time. They come early, sign as many autographs as they are asked, and give of themselves so freely for people who really treasure the experience.
Tomorrow, we are back again at 8 with a full slate—handicapping the Jug program with Dave Brower, Dave Bianconi, Sam McKee and the speaker series debut of Roger Huston. They are followed at 9 by Ron Pierce and Steve Elliott, and the great John Campbell is with us at 10. I hope you will be, too!
Nicole
Yesterday we spoke about Steve Elliott’s reaction to the Jug conditions that allowed for first-heat splits of 9 and 10 horses for a 19-horse field.
Shari Hazlett had this reply to our blog:
I was so glad to see you asking this question. As an avid harness racing fan I was appalled that they went with two eliminations. I cannot believe that they have two trailers in one division and one in the other with the outer horses (including Well Said) basically being in as bad a position as you would ever think of in your nightmare.
To begin with, there should NEVER be trailers in an elimination and ESPECIALLY on a half mile track. Last year everyone was critical that Somebeachsomewhere was not in the Jug. After seeing this performance, I can totally understand why the Beach wasn't there. What if this had happened and he got the eight hole or, even worse, a trailer position. If the Jug wants to keep its place as a prominent race for 3-year-olds, they had better think very strongly about how they decide how many elims there will be. I give credit to Well Said's connections for racing him. If I was the owner, he would suddenly be ill the day before the Jug and wouldn't be in it.
Harness racing wonders why they struggle for fans. This is a perfect example. Just by the "luck" of the draw, Well Said the best 3year-old, may lose this race. That is absurd.
Well, Shari, it looks like the Jug already heard you! A release came today that said the Little Brown Jug Society had approves changes in future draws effective in 2010. The statement requiring a split for a set number of entries has been eliminated, and race officials now will determine splits based on the number of entries. Society directors admitted they were concerned at having to set nine and 10 horse divisions for the 2009 race and would have liked to have split the 19 entries into three divisions, but the current conditions did not permit that.
It’s great to see the Jug taking swift action on an unfortunate situation. Here is wishing everyone the best in the 2009 Jug—and I hope to see you at the Delaware races and the Speaker Series!
Nicole
Had a great talk with Steve Elliott today, as he prepared to head out for the Delaware County Fair to train Well Said for what he hopes is a Little Brown Jug . Of course, he wishes that Well Said had drawn better than post 8 in his elimination—where he will face Vintage Master and Carnivore—but Steve wasn’t really upset about it. He is and always has been a que sera sera type of person—whatever will be, will be. You can’t control some things and have to live with what happens.
One thing Steve and a lot of other people were more concerned by was Delaware’s decision to go with two elims for its 19 Jug entrants—nine horses in one and 10 in the other. That means there are two trailers in the second, 10-horse elim.
Last year, with 20 in the field, there were 3 elims with 6, 7 and 7 horses, respectfully. The conditions (which are available at http://horsemen.ustrotting.com/stks_conditions.cfm) say specifically: When 20 or more horses declare to start in the Jug or Jugette, three elimination heats will be raced.
But there are people in racing who think the Jug should look to make changes to ensure everyone who is putting money into the Jug purse pool through entry fees has a fair and equal chance to make some back—and this 9-10 split is not accomplishing that goal. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Send me a note to nkraft@ustrotting.com, and I’ll run the comments here.
And you can ask Steve about this topic and more when he visits the USTA’s Speaker Series in the Jugette Barn at 9 a.m. Sept. 24—Jug morning. Be sure to come out for all our speakers—from 8-11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the Jugette Barn.
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There is a big debate in media about how to attract new visitors to publication Web sites. A lot of publications are going Web only, and debating whether or not to charge for content. Others, like us, keep our print product but want to offer more on our Web site. The question is: What should we offer on the Web to keep people coming back. I would love to hear what you would like most from our Web site content. Please e-mail me at nkraft@ustrotting.com.
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Straight from trainer Steve Elliott: Well Said is going to the Jug!
Harnessphere has been quite active on this topic since a story on Standardbred Canada’s site that the colt might not go to the Jug. Elliott second-trainer Toni Rose, who I think is terrific, was no doubt trying to be diplomatic when she was less than definitive about the colt’s plans for Delaware, and Elliott said her comments were misinterpreted. The truth of the matter, according to Steve, is that Well Said has always been pointed in the Jug’s direction, and that is officially the next stop on his racing dance card.
It’s amazing how quick people jumped on this topic, clearly reflective of sore feelings left over from last year when Somebeachsomewhere skipped the Jug. As one Harnessphere poster pointed out, though, that horse’s absence opened the door for an incredible performance from Shadow Play. There is rarely, if ever, a bad day of racing at Delaware. It is truly one of those racing experiences you need to have in your lifetime—hopefully more than once.
I hope everyone will make it to Delaware for the races and the USTA speaker series, where Steve Elliott will no doubt be asked about the Well Said “controversy” when he speaks to fans with Ron Pierce on Thursday at 9 a.mn. in the Jugette Barn. He is one of several racing celebrities who will be with us Wednesday and Thursday from 8-11 a.m. We will also have prize drawings and coffee and donuts—and I hope we will have the pleasure of your company as well.
Be sure to stop by and say hello!
Nicole
Barack Obama said a lot of interesting things in his speech on health care reform last night, but the most remembered statement to come from the televised event was just two words--and it did not come from the president.
South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson called out, “You lie!” in response to Obama’s comments on illegal immigrants and his health plan—a break from decorum that shocked members of the Senate and House, pundits and the viewing public. Love him or hate him, agree or disagree, they all say, Obama is our president and should be treated with respect—especially when speaking before Congress and a live, televised audience.
I agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment, but I would like to take it further—he should be treated with respect simply because he is a person just like you and me, and no one deserves, or appreciates, being attacked with words.
I write this about just hours after I posted to Harnessphere a reminder that posts to that forum must be made with respect. That does not mean that everyone should agree or pander to each other, but if a point is to be argued, let’s simply do it with civility for our fellow men and women. Name calling and derogatory comments never advanced an argument well.
Our Harnessphere participants have been terrific, for the most part, about speaking to each other without hostility or confrontation, but it has taken a lot of work to get the message board to that condition. I appreciate and respect greatly those who participate, and the terrific monitors we have who work to keep the boards available to all.
I know--perhaps better than some--that not all messaging is like this. The anonymity offered by the Internet seems to remove, for some, the verbal filter that says, “This is really not an appropriate thing to say to or about another person.” But civil dialogue is always more productive, especially when it comes to topics we about which we all care so passionately. I value the opinion of those who impassioned about harness racing, and being able to hear comments and suggestions openly. Let’s keep talking—and let’s be kind!
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