JJ: Just as an aside, call it food for thought, but has the VEA offered your operation any assistance as it has for Eagle Point Farm or Middleburg Training Track?
Both private operations and both with leadership connections, as you are no doubt aware. Exactly what are the long term public interests involved here? Why is the VTA position of executive director held in concert with the consulting firm Easter Associates? Family, maybe?
Woops.
Added: So as not to waste perfectly good space. Here is a 2009 Washington Post article. The late Ned Evans indicates his disappointment as the industry is becoming only a shadow of its former image.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/25/AR2009052502301.html
Woops.
Woops, again. Me thinks my restless leg syndrome is spreading.
Well at least Paulick is keeping up with VA. I was feeling lonely. To paraphrase Barry Irwin, if this was reported in any other news outlet it would be in the obituaries.
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/virginia-equine-alliance-wins-approval-otb-richmond/
Paulick still keeping up with VA. Wasn’t a slow racing weekend, so I figure this is probably his sympathetic nature coming out in print.
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/virginia-equine-alliance-opening-first-otb-richmond/
Foxfield Race Course near Charlottesville maybe in jeopardy of being sold. A mainstay on the NSA circuit for decades, it appears that its legacy and future is to be decided in the courts. Just another blow to VA racing and its shrinking Thoroughbred industry.
http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/a…e-of-foxfield/
And this in March 2017.
Back in February, this positive report came out on OTB and ADW.
http://www.theracingbiz.com/2017/02/…ry-are-strong/
With only two OTB outlets in the Richmond area it appeared to be a good sign. But alas, then came the Morven track revelation this month as linked in previous post. Now the VRC tells the VEA to take a breath and seek other goal oriented opportunities to help the state TB industry. Debbie Easter says the VEA is beginning that process. In what alternate universe is she living? What TB industry? Easter and Petramalo, motivated by VRC chair Danny Van Clief and Governor McAuliffe wiped out the industry and tossed the VA racing schedule over to MD along with annual payments to keep our stakes racing alive. Dreamers all? History will recall the last VA Derby was run in 2013. End of story and, sadly, end of industry.
VA should be an example to other states on what not to do and first and foremost all horse people should beware of clowns and fools posing as leaders.
VA now has only two OTB sites. One is named the Breakers and the other named Ponies & Pints. Considering recent events I suggest a name change for both. The Breakers changed to Broken and P&P to Ponies & Penniless.
Word to the wise in other states, if you are hiring or electing a leader for your horse association, first check their clothes closets for clown suits.
The formidable goal of returning racing to VA is still a topic of conversation for the VEA.
Where you been, Shammy???
Long overdue vacation!
:encouragement:
News from Virginia – they will be funding a program similar to the Delaware Certified Program.
Virginia is starting a new program modeled on the Delaware Certified Program. I tried to post a link but it did not seem to work. More info can be found at the VTA website, vabred.org.
There will be a new incentive for people to keep their young horses in VA – similar to the Delaware Certified Program:
http://www.vabred.org/virginia-racing-commission-approves-new-virginia-certified-thoroughbred-program/
^^^^ That seems like a very good idea to breathe life into the industry. :yes:
I tried to comment on this earlier and it gave me some weird message about my post needing to be approved.
…but, I think this is a great idea for the state. :encouragement:
At last, optimism! In a state that has been historically anti-gambling it appears 2 separate forces are prevailing to insure casino gambling in the state. Horsemen now have their legislation for historical racing machines along with the high probability that Colonial Downs will be purchased and under new ownership. New incentives recently ignaurated are cause for hope.
https://www.theracingbiz.com/2018/04/12/virginia-residency-program-providing-full-barns-future/
Simultaneously, the Pamunkey Tribe located in Prince William County, adjacent to New Kent, is aggressively seeking casino locations and recently purchased land close to Colonial Downs.
http://www.dailypress.com/news/politics/dp-nws-pamunkey-and-20180421-story.html
Is this a well thought out collaboration or just coincidence? Can new owners of Colonial Downs do what Jeff Jacob’s could not do? Provide more than 20 days of annual racing? Will a casino in New Kent be too much of an attraction to allow Colonial Downs to compete for patrons? Time will tell.
Things are moving rapidly. Colonial Downs has new owners. The big question now is will surrounding racing state horsemen embrace this revived opportunity and will VA horsemen moderate past demands to insure safe footing for the track.
Why would you want horsemen to moderate demands for safe footing? You like dead horses?
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
