Virginia's Troubled Racing Industry

[rcloisonne]

[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;7795605]
When comes to stallions in New England, you need look no further than NY, plus the fact that NE, NY, RI, DE have substantial harness and TB racing activities.[/QUOTE]
There are zero TB activities in RI. No flat, steeplechase, or harness racing - Zilch, zip, nada. Narragansett and Lincoln Downs have been closed to horses for many years.

Narragansett is now a large shopping plaza, specializing in discount stores. Lincoln went to the dogs for awhile but even that ended several years ago. Too many other legal ways for people to gamble their money away nowadays.

[Shammy_Davis]

I should have known that. It appears that racing in RI has gone in the same direction as the rest of NE. If I misspoke I apologize. I’m well into my social security years and my memory is not as tight as it was 60 years ago so remind me what’s the capital of RI?

[rcloisonne]

Providence you silly old coot. I very much enjoy your posts so keep them up!

PS: I’m SS eligible too but prefer to keep working until I can’t.

[Shammy_Davis]

I enjoy posting so I will. Like the capital of RI, I i think of it as Providence. My wife’s family is from ME. I have been to that track near Portland. If people think Colonial is bad they should try it. The mosquitoes area so bad there the spectators are fighting off the winning horses to get into quarantine barn.

Remind me again. Is RI near Pacific or Indian Ocean?

[Shammy_Davis]

Scrooge has arrived for the holiday to celebrate the demise of horse racing in VA. Early this year Jeff Jacobs said to the VA Racing Commission either accept his plan or there would be no racing in 2015. Since then four out of eight OTB sites have been closed.

Today, I read that motorcycle racing may return (actually didn’t know it was there before) to Colonial Downs as the New Kent planning commission will hold a hearing after the first of the year.

This 2009 article was a prediction of where the Thoroughbred Industry was headed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/25/AR2009052502301.html

I’m breeding a couple of mares in 2015 and there is no way, I’m going have them foal in VA. That’s ashame because watching the young horses develop and train is part of this wonderful experience we all call horseracing. What is particularly disconcerting is that many of the current leaders of the VA Thoroughbred Association, VAHBPA, etc were the leaders here when VA government passed the 1988 horseracing legislation opening the door for the industry here to expand. Certainly not encouraging. I don’t recall anything from 1988 on that gave me pause to think that VA horseracing would be a success.

http://www.jockeyclub.com/factbook/StateFactBook/Virginia.pdf

Very disheartening.:sadsmile:

[Shammy_Davis]

It appears that VA racing is right back where it began. Colonial Downs started off with Maryland running the show in the 90’s. Now with no “Colonial Downs” and nothing positive going on in the commonwealth, not to be confused with KY, to revive racing, the current poor leadership of VA Thoroughbreds looks to MD to save us from extinction.:o

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/92845/virginia-aims-to-move-graded-stakes-to-laurel

Well, there are my Thoroughbred history books that I can re-read. There is mention of North American horse racing beginning in VA in them. I can go to Colonial Williamsburg and become delusional and think I’m seeing quarter mile racing on Duke of Gloucester Street. No great stallions here now to be buried on a great VA TB farm like Meadow or Brookmeade. The last good one was BLACK TIE AFFAIR at Blue Ridge. That lasted a year before WV became his home. Maybe Penny Chenery will choose to be buried here? I can visit her tomb, before I visit my own.:eek:

[Texarkana]

Congrats to Virginia for becoming almost as sad as Tennessee. It just sucks to see this.

You know, we (middle TN) were “Lexington” before there was even organized racing in Kentucky. Tennessee stood the leading TB stallions in the country from about 1830 up til the civil war- we stole the distinction from VA, then KY stole it from us.

Although I believe the first organized thoroughbred races in NA were held in South Carolina and the first official track was in New York.

[vineyridge]

To be perfectly frank, if we want to find the point at which racing began its downward spiral, especially in places like Virginia, we can point to the tax code changes under Reagan. When the old line rich gave up/died out, there was no one to take their places. OTOH, Virginia really hasn’t had worthwhile racing for generations; but the breeders are dying/have died, and that’s where Virginia was outstanding in thoroughbreds.

What will this do to VA chasing?

[Shammy_Davis]

[QUOTE=vineyridge;8214132]
To be perfectly frank, if we want to find the point at which racing began its downward spiral, especially in places like Virginia, we can point to the tax code changes under Reagan. When the old line rich gave up/died out, there was no one to take their places. OTOH, Virginia really hasn’t had worthwhile racing for generations; but the breeders are dying/have died, and that’s where Virginia was outstanding in thoroughbreds.

What will this do to VA chasing?[/QUOTE]

I can’t speak for TN and I know I’m old, but to answer your question from a personal perspective, I’m one Virginian who is not going to give up on sex. :tickled_pink:

[Shammy_Davis]

[QUOTE=Texarkana;8214081]
Congrats to Virginia for becoming almost as sad as Tennessee. It just sucks to see this.

You know, we (middle TN) were “Lexington” before there was even organized racing in Kentucky. Tennessee stood the leading TB stallions in the country from about 1830 up til the civil war- we stole the distinction from VA, then KY stole it from us.

Although I believe the first organized thoroughbred races in NA were held in South Carolina and the first official track was in New York.[/QUOTE]

This thread is getting better. There are more places I can become delusional than just Colonial Williamsburg. I just love Charleston, TN is close, and from experience having been to NY numerous times, “delusional” is a genetic character trait for just about all New Yorkers. I’ll have all sorts of friends watching quarter mile racing up Broadway Avenue. Opportunities abound and all I had to do was post about the sad state of VA horse racing on COTH.

By the way, Richard Hancocks’ Ellerslie Farm north of us near Charlottesville is owned by Donald Trump now. It’s now Trump Vineyards and he is building (or has built) a golf course on the land also. The word is that the wine is pretty good. I guess, rather than getting drunk, you could indeed get “trumped” on it. Don’t know if Nydrie Stud is still fully intact in Esmont though. Vineyards seem to be popping up all around us. Wouldn’t mind a bourbon producer in the area. At least, TN still has “Jack Daniels” and it’s still affordable. Our “Virginia Gentleman” should be marketed as renewable human waste or floor cleaner.:sadsmile:

Now that I think about it. Penny Chenery most likely won’t choose to be buried in VA. Another tourist attraction lost, probably to CO or KY. Well, we still have Somethingroyal, Sun Beau, lots of battlefields, homes & graves of numerous very dead Presidents that no one remembers now, and I-95 where lots of horse trailers travel between FL and NY.

Happy “Independence Day.” Despite it all, it’s great to be an American!

[CVPeg]

How sad - I still think of VA as home to Thoroughbreds - especially, of course, after Secretariat. Hard to wrap my head around that it is really falling apart.
My guy would go to VA for winters and return to NY for the races. Sister lives in Northern VA, and it is such beautiful horse country.

However, guess, like everything, “country” is being overrun to put $$ in people’s pockets, and to stretch out the 'burbs for city dwellers.

And there is plenty of lovely horse country in NY State, but we haven’t exactly produced any truly significant horses, except Funny Cide, and then again, he’s a gelding… And then there are the winters…

[JJ_sLuckyTrain]

Shammy – don’t give up on Virginia!

I think a prerequisite for being involved in racing is boundless optimism! There will be racing for VA breds, even if it is not in the Commonwealth. There may even be racing in VA. Yes, times have changed but there is reason to hope.

[Shammy_Davis]

[QUOTE=JJ’sLuckyTrain;8216246]
Shammy – don’t give up on Virginia!

I think a prerequisite for being involved in racing is boundless optimism! There will be racing for VA breds, even if it is not in the Commonwealth. There may even be racing in VA. Yes, times have changed but there is reason to hope.[/QUOTE]

Your optimism is wonderful. I wish I could share it. Because of my age if a brighter future is in offing you may see it but I very much doubt I will. Breeder awards are nice but won’t save the TB in VA.

Thanks for your kind thoughts.

[Hunter_s_Rest]

Gaaaaaaaaaaaah!
You guys - the BRIEF shift to Maryland for the graded races is a POSITIVE thing, not negative.
The graded races will lose their grades if they take time off.
The track/s where the Virginia Equine Alliance will run the Old Dominion Derby (nee Virginia Derby) and the other races won’t be ready this season!!
Yikes!
No wonder racing is in a bad place, with ‘supporters’ coming out like this!
Steeplechasing is fine - it has not ever relied on parimutuel. Adding it at a couple jump meets added a lot (a LOT) to the purse account, and simulcasting the Kentucky Derby was a great addition.
Next year there will be graded turf races at a location in northern Virginia -it’s not been officially released yet but you all can guess where. There will be parimutuels at a harness meet in central Virginia, and possibly a few county fairs with already established trotters.
This move is a GOOD thing not a bad thing.
Comparing this to what happened in Tennessee is bizarre at best - I grew up there and my dad galloped at the old racetrack in Brentwood. I went to college in Alabama - I’ve seen all 3 and trust me, Virginia is in great shape.
LOCAL horsemen stand to benefit A LOT b/c the general public here (all over Va.) wants to bet and bet they can, now, with a new beneficiary of the ever-growing purse accounts.

[Texarkana]

Hunter’s Rest: thanks for the clarification regarding the relocation of the graded stakes races. I did not know additional races were in the works and that’s very encouraging to hear!

But… do you actually know anything about TN’s racing history besides your dad galloping at “the old track” in Brentwood? And unless your dad was galloping in the 1800s, Tennessee’s racing history was indeed history by that point. All pari-mutuel flat racing was ended in 1906. And unlike VA, the majority of our nurseries fled the state instead of persisting.

I don’t mean to sound persnickity, but I’ve become a Tennessee racing history buff since moving here. But the analogy is not a “bizarre” one. Two states with thriving breeding programs that put out top horses, mainly due to the rooted investment of many wealthy patrons and horsemen. The difference is Tennessee’s government essentially killed the thoroughbred program with a swift halt, while Virginia’s racing tradition has hung on with ups and downs.

[Shammy_Davis]

[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;8216550]
Gaaaaaaaaaaaah!
You guys - the BRIEF shift to Maryland for the graded races is a POSITIVE thing, not negative.
The graded races will lose their grades if they take time off.
The track/s where the Virginia Equine Alliance will run the Old Dominion Derby (nee Virginia Derby) and the other races won’t be ready this season!!
Yikes!
No wonder racing is in a bad place, with ‘supporters’ coming out like this!
Steeplechasing is fine - it has not ever relied on parimutuel. Adding it at a couple jump meets added a lot (a LOT) to the purse account, and simulcasting the Kentucky Derby was a great addition.
Next year there will be graded turf races at a location in northern Virginia -it’s not been officially released yet but you all can guess where. There will be parimutuels at a harness meet in central Virginia, and possibly a few county fairs with already established trotters.
This move is a GOOD thing not a bad thing.
Comparing this to what happened in Tennessee is bizarre at best - I grew up there and my dad galloped at the old racetrack in Brentwood. I went to college in Alabama - I’ve seen all 3 and trust me, Virginia is in great shape.
LOCAL horsemen stand to benefit A LOT b/c the general public here (all over Va.) wants to bet and bet they can, now, with a new beneficiary of the ever-growing purse accounts.[/QUOTE]

If what you are saying is true then this is a positive step. My experience goes back to the late 50’s on this. Some of the same people who managed the precipitous decline of the TB in 80’s are still involved including the current VTA executive director and numerous directors.

Don’t demean my thinking on this. The history and statistics are there for everyone to see. It is not a matter of not being supportive it a matter of being realistic.

You appear to be the only one who knows what is going on giving a great deal of this new info. As usual it is one surprise after another. When what you say happens I will grasp my cane tightly and attempt to jump for joy. Otherwise I keep my feet on the safely on the ground.

[ahf]

[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8216823]
Some of the same people who managed the precipitous decline of the TB in 80’s are still involved including the current VTA executive director …[/QUOTE]

Don’t think so. Debbie Easter would have been in her late teens then, in college or working for JCIS. In the early 90’s she was Reynold’s BM manager, foaling out 100 mares a season. She wasn’t really party to what went on in the late 80’s, other than the experience she was gaining in the industry.

I haven’t talked to Debbie for over a decade, but I have a lot of respect for her.

[Shammy_Davis]

[QUOTE=ahf;8216939]
Don’t think so. Debbie Easter would have been in her late teens then, in college or working for JCIS. In the early 90’s she was Reynold’s BM manager, foaling out 100 mares a season. She wasn’t really party to what went on in the late 80’s, other than the experience she was gaining in the industry.

I haven’t talked to Debbie for over a decade, but I have a lot of respect for her.[/QUOTE]

You need to check your dates against some of the board members. Debbie Easter was a President and former board member of the VTA and presided over a portion of the decline that began in the 80’s.

http://www.theracingbiz.com/2013/06/11/easter-associates-will-manage-virginia-thoroughbred-association/

Without getting into specific personalities I’m confident that a number of board members were active in the 80’s or 90’s when significant decisions were made and my point is that the same old management style has been practiced by principals in the VTA for decades. There is no doubt that the leadership of the VTA is replete with fine horsemen and women. That does not necessarily mean that their “eye for the horse” and “good business sense” are the same. I disagree with the appraisal that VA chasing is in good shape. Been to Montpelier lately? I have. Parking is never a problem. Hasn’t been for years. Plenty of room to roam around in solitude. Strawberry Hills and Foxfield are drinking parties. Pigs could be racing and the majority of the fans wouldn’t know and those of us interested in the racing find the viewing is always corrupted by an obscene act or foul language.

The point about losing graded stakes status is moot. It is reviewed every year so it could well be loss for a variety of other reasons.

I’m not encouraged about the suggestion of racing in Northern VA. Is that going to be Great Meadow or the Middleburg Training Center? Get real. Bring a picnic blanket? It works for chasing, but a flat racing meet? Where in Central VA will harness racing occur. Oak Ridge? The Hollands nearly went bust the last time they hosted SB’s. Cost them a fortune to truck all the mutual electronic equipment in and parking spaces were limitlessly empty. Acquire or lease Colonial Downs? Besides like Colonial, Oak Ridge is a considerable drive even from surrounding counties. Betting across the state in a year? Where? Walmart or Food Lion? One of the OTTB’s in Richmond is a Harbor Freight now. Sorry, I would like nothing more than to be proven wrong, but this “fox has gone to ground.”

The transition of the former VTA management was not without controversy either. In my mind, Glenn Petty and the fleeing board members are not exempt from liability. All of them were and are respected horsemen and women.

My point of concern is simply is the same management style going to continue? The coalition looking to revive racing is openly soliciting donations. They should be honest and call it VA TB charities.

At least TN has their TW festival in Shelbyville and they can count on it occurring annually.

[Hunter_s_Rest]

Strawberry Hill was eliminated when the car track took over the old state fair.
Montpelier is in great shape. Foxfield is going good guns. Gold Cup/s have never been larger. The point to point circuit/s are healthy.
And all of this without parimutuel (which is the point of the whole conversation.)
Adding parimutuel will boost all racing - flat, harness and jump.
The track location is a moot point given that the license holder has the license for web-based betting. Renting portable mutuels is no longer required.
It’s not a ‘suggestion’ of racing coming to NoVa. It will happen in the next 12 months. And yes of course bring a picnic blanket. Ask the patrons at Kentucky Downs how well it works. Talk about a cash cow in the middle of nowhere. A good track that was born a jump course that morphed into a Grade 1 level turf venue.

[Texarkana]

As someone who is heavily involved in Kentucky Downs, what saved them was eliminating jump racing… and “slots” to over-inflate purses. As for the patrons, well, also being the only place in the country where you could buy liquor by the drink also helped.

But I really do hope the same for VA.