There was a point in time where I seriously thought about approaching that asshat and asking for the job. I wanted to convince him that there was a right way to do things and a wrong way and the wrong way not only took money out of his pocket by killing horses that therefore could never make him any money in the future but also made him look like a gigantic prick. I have contacts with countless rescue organizations. I would convince him to stop on them or lay them up before it was too late. And to rehome his retirees with reputable agencies. Make sure the whole world knew of his total transformation. I then decided he was more than a little set in his ways and most likely one of us was not making it out of there alive. Too hard to take care of my horses from a jail cell so I just had to hope he sees the light through some other means.
Its PETA not Pitaā¦NOT being unsupportiveā¦just pointing out a typo that they may use against you.
Holy crap: youāre right! Looked right past it, but I guess Iām a PITA as well!
On second glance, it works well that way.
[QUOTE=foundationmare;4639163]
On second glance, it works well that way.[/QUOTE]
Thatās what I thought.
How did you find Fred Lipkinās contact info? I think heās more in the marketing / PR role for the casino now than racing. He used to do the simulcast with John Bogar.
Well, he was the top spot in their contact info. I ccād a copy to the GM. But Mr. Lipkin IS a PR person and should be concerned aboutā¦their PR.
[QUOTE=foundationmare;4639179]
Well, he was the top spot in their contact info. I ccād a copy to the GM. But Mr. Lipkin IS a PR person and should be concerned aboutā¦their PR.[/QUOTE]
Let us know if he responds, my guess is ānoā. Penn Gaming likes this press if you ask me, makes it easier to eliminate horse racing. Part of their grand plan.
Here is Chris McErleanās e-mail address. He might be the best person to contact:
Christopher.McErlean@pngaming.com
At the very least he should acknowledge your e-mail.
No new Facebook posts from David Cora, but trainer Brandon Kulp posted this today:
yet another one tonight, you guys need to refuse to ride in any race he is in, you have the power to change this! when is it going to stop? when someone gets killed?!?!?!
Yeah, Dick, Iām pretty sure youāre right, as is the case with every track that has a racino.
Thanks Little Hound. Done. Certainly Iāll let you all know if I get a response (donāt hold your breath). Should I get a bodyguard?
New Facebook post by David Cora as of 9 p.m. tonight:
Well last Saturday one more mike gill horse broke down after the wire with the rider Frazier . Luckily his ok, thanks god
Anybody here on Facebook? If you āfriendā David Cora youāll be able to see these posts are authentic, I donāt want anybody here thinking Iām making them up.
Cora update: He has now removed all his Facebook posts, instead stating that "i did it know that many people read facebook,i have to think first before i write something here,god bless everybody
Maybe his agent or someone at Penn is advising him not to post on this subject anymore.
Disappointing to say the least. What has Cora got to lose? Getting mounts on Gillās horses? LOL His posts were only his emotions which are quite interesting since heās on the horseās. He should get more courage and post them back up.
Yes, I was disappointed to see them removed, too. Oh well, at least we got a glimpse into what some of the jockeys are thinking.
Got a reply already from Christopher McErlean! Responded right back. I am deeply sorry that David Cora has retreated from his honest assessment of the situation. Someone has compelled him to do so.
That is great, I had a feeling McErlean would respond quickly. And Iām sorry Cora decided to stop posting on Facebook, too.
[QUOTE=foundationmare;4639467]
Got a reply already from Christopher McErlean! Responded right back. I am deeply sorry that David Cora has retreated from his honest assessment of the situation. Someone has compelled him to do so.[/QUOTE]
Without saying exactly what McErlean said, what did he say?
It went something like this:
Ms. Linn,
I tend to rely on facts. The clear fact on the necropsies is that in almost every case, Gill horse or not, there is a pre-existing condition with the horse. In many cases that pre-existing condition is not the actual cause of the breakdown, but it was there, potentially waiting to happen.
The fact is, six trainers in 2009 accounted for 43% of the breakdowns at Penn National. Those six were the only ones with more than 1 breakdown. Mr. Gillās trainers (Adamo and Delahoussaye) had 3 and 4 respectively. They raced a total of 820 times during the year I believe. There was actually one other trainer with more total breakdowns, with about 600 starts, a breakdown rate exactly the same as the gill trainers. The slipperly slope is if the measurement or action taken is going to be on when this occurs, as it may also involve others who people feel are not an issue.
I can tell you that we are well aware of the current issue and again, I cannot comment on what is being done as it will affect others as well. I will assue you that we are not blind to the issue nor to addressing the matter with any trainer or owner who we feel is not acting in the best interest of their horses.
From: Margie Linn [mailto:foundationmare@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sun 1/24/2010 9:47 PM
To: Christopher McErlean
Subject: Re: Michael Gill
Dear Mr. McErlean,
Thank you for your prompt response to my e-mail. I appreciate that Penn has the appropriate mechanisms in place to in-theory 1) minimize breakdowns during racing and 2) ascertain the factors that lead to breakdowns, particularly fatal ones. I would expect that particular attention will be paid to the inordinate number of breakdowns coming from the barns associated with Michael Gill.
With all due respect, what are your committees gleaning from their reviews and necropsies? More importantly, what remedies are being put in place to decrease the numerous, predictable breakdowns from the Gill connections? With all of the purported fixes you cite in place, why are so many horses dying so hideously?
Furthermore, blocked and/or nerved horses wonāt jog unsound for the State vet in the morning prior to racing. They will, however, run their hearts out, oblivious to impending catastrophic injury, and snap a leg in a heartbeat and KEEP ON RUNNING! Thatās always a barrel of fun for the horsemen who care about the horses and, of course, the public who continue to retreat from horseracing.
What management at Penn and other racetracks around the country need to understand is that butchers like Michael Gill not only sully the sport of TB racing in a vulnerable time, but also cast a negative light on the people who aid and abet his way of ādoing businessā. Ultimately, the onus of his inhumane, cheating practices rests on the people who let him get away with it.
Very truly yours,
Margie Linn
To: Margie Linn <foundationmare@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sun, January 24, 2010 9:12:27 PM M
Subject: RE: Michael Gill
Ms. Linn,
I appreciate your comments and understand your concerns.
While I cannont comment as to actions being taken I can tell you the following are in place at Penn National:
- unlike many states we have both a state vet and a vet that works for the track that does pre-race inspections
- Penn National has a breakdown review committee that reviews every breakdown and interviews trainers and vets associated with such horses
- every breakdown at Penn National has a necropsy (an autopsy) done by the Dept of Ag (we are one of the few tracks that has this done - the only one in PA as a matter of fact)
- Penn National has one of the most extensive collection of breakdown statistics of any track in the country, going back 15 years, on all matters relating to breakdowns on our track
I can tell you that any breakdown is an issue and we know there are a multitude of potential factors that can come into play. We are very cognizant of the public perception of this issue and that other trainers potentially fall into similar categories.
From: Margie Linn [mailto:foundationmare@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sun 1/24/2010 8:33 PM
To: Christopher McErlean
Subject: Fw: Michael Gill
Dear Mr. McErlean,
I am forwarding this message to you with the hope and expectation that someone will respond with a solid plan for positive change at Penn National, currently the armpit of TB racing.
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Margie Linn <foundationmare@yahoo.com>
To: Fred.Lipkin@pngaming.com
Cc: Frank <Quigley@pngaming.com>
Sent: Sun, January 24, 2010 7:01:56 PM
Subject: Michael Gill
Dear Mr. Lipkin,
I am hoping that you are paying heed to the nasty canker on your backside: that would be the so-called racing stable associated with Michael Gill and his lot of butchers who support his āwin at any costā mentality. That Penn National has not taken a proactive stance against Mr. Gill and his cronies is distressing to many of us who champion Thoroughbred horse racing. If you are not already aware of the seedy practices he and his ilk employ to eke every last dime out of doomed horses, you should make it your business to know what is going on with his horses. There are multiple reasons why his horses, and horses coming out of the barns of his ātrainersā, break down on a regular basis. That Penn management has chosen to look the other way and allow his sham of a racing operation continue to taint the Penn National racing community is disgraceful. Other than the cheaters and butchers who hope to get stalls on your backside and win your favor, your lack of response to the pathetic deaths of so many horses exposes management for the greedy and heartless bunch you appear to be.
I support the jockeys who refuse to ride races with a Gill entry. As a horseman, I would not to run my horses in a race with a Gill entry for fear that his nerved/blocked wreck of a TB would break down and take me out as well. In case you think that the racing community at large is immune to the abomination that is Michael Gill, rest assured that the majority of us are fed up and demanding that track management sprout some brass ones and exile Mr. Gill from your racetrack.
You have an opportunity to appear that you actually care about horses (okay, thatās far-fetched, I know, itās all about the bottom line after all, as you have amply demonstrated) and avoid the unpleasant scrutiny that is about to come your way.
Lest you think that Iām a PITA fanatic or someone who would choose to outlaw racing altogether, Iām not. I am a TB owner and breeder and I love TB racing in its purest form. It is the people like me who will champion TB racing and endeavor to sustain itās noble history. Michael Gill and his ilk have no part in that. They are not noble and they certainly donāt have the well-being of horses at heart. Itās way past time for you to make him and his partners in CRIME persona non grata.
Very truly yours,
Margie Linn
So, the ones vanned off and killed donāt count? I would love to spend 3-4 hours looking at every chart on equibase to see if his numbers are accurate. I find it hard to believe, perhaps unfathomable, the count is that low.
Also, is Mcerlean counting breakdowns by Gillās other trainers? Delahoussaye didnāt get here until the spring for goodness sakes.
Youāve seen the three monkeys, right? Hear not, see not, speak not. These guys are steeled to withstand the onslaught and I doubt anything will change. Is it a coincidence that one of my favorite movies is Mister Smith Goes to Washington?
