Horse Racing

As a native of New Jersey, I had the displeasure of witnessing a once-proud horse racing industry deteriorate. The third-biggest circuit in the country in terms of quality and pari-mutuel handle didn't go away overnight; it took about 25 years.

New Jersey racing is doing that now, minus a one-time showplace that's now a strip-mall and condo haven, and another crumbling track that races only six days a year. But politics, and the Atlantic City casino lobby, have thus far stymied racing industry proaction.

I don't care for slot machines. I can remember putting a few dollars into one at Mountaineer several years ago. I ended up walking over to the simulcast area a few minutes later. Enough of that.

When it comes to gambling, I've always leaned toward the "social" games--blackjack, for instance, and of course, pari-mutuel wagering.

Slots don't do it for me, but I don't have a problem with them. If people are entertained by them, have at it. I do derive some benefits, however, in the form of nicer surroundings and upgraded food and beverage service at racetracks that have the money to make such improvements because of slots.

While I'm pretty sure I understand why New Jersey racing can't gain any traction, I'm at a loss when it comes to Kentucky, where horse racing and breeding are deeply imbedded in the fabric of the state. Is it really possible one legislator and a few Wizard of Oz types that call shots from behind a curtain really control the industry's destiny? I try, but I just can't fathom it.

Opposition to gambling is fine--if you are truly opposed to gambling. If so, why isn't legislation introduced to ban the lottery, charitable gaming, and yes, even pari-mutuel wagering?

Let's take it one step further. Why doesn't the Kentucky legislature ban tobacco? They'd be keeping me, an "addict," from continuing to make a stupid decision--smoking cigarettes. How about banning alcohol? We all know that, like gambling, it's dangerous when abused.

I lean heavily conservative in my views, but I don't put gambling on the same level as abortion. I also believe party-line voting flies in the face of reason and democracy.

Gaming at racetracks is far from a panacea. I've seen and written about the negative far too many times. One thing I've noticed, however, is it never has been done properly in my view. Slots revenue can be really beneficial in a state that truly values its horse racing and breeding industry. I'm a skeptic, but I still haven't gotten the impression racing would take a back seat to slots in Kentucky given current ownership of the tracks and the way they are operated.

Leading three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra, heads a field of five females for Saturday's $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park. The three-year-old fillies will fight it out over 1 1/8 miles on Belmont's main track.

Owned by Jess Jackson and Harold McCormick, the Preakness Stakes winner will start from post three with Calvin Borel returning for the ride. Three weeks ago Borel was aboard Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes when the gelding finished third.



Rachel Alexandra destroyed the competition in the Kentucky Oaks this year by better than 20-lengths. Currently on a six race winning streak, the three- year-old has career earnings of $1,618,354 with eight wins in 11 starts. In 2009 alone the filly has won more than $1.4 million.

"She gave a brilliant race last time," Jackson noted. "She's tested, healthy and ready to run." During a teleconference on Wednesday, Jackson hinted at some of the possible races his filly could compete in after Saturday.

A total of 62 races have been scheduled as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" program for this year. Racetracks in seven countries will participate in the program where winners of designated races gain automatic entry into Breeders' Cup races.

"In our continuing efforts to maximize the global popularity and competition of the World Championships, we have expanded this year's Breeders' Cup Challenge series to more racing venues for our horsemen and fans," said Breeders' Cup president and CEO Greg Avioli.

"The Breeders' Cup Challenge creates increased international awareness on a weekly basis from July through October for the world's great horse races and for the outstanding horses that will be competing in the Championships." Foreign races from England, Ireland, France, Australia and Hong Kong are now included in the Breeders' Cup Challenge. The first of the 12 overseas events was the Champions Mile in Hong Kong in April won by Sight Winner. The win earned Sight Winner a starting spot in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile on the turf.

This year's Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held November 6 and 7, during the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita Park, the first time a track will host the event two straight years.