Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Cannon Shell
I was think about the whole issue of integrity in this industry this morning. Just my opinion but I think that most fans, gamblers, and smaller owners are far more concerned about integrity than the major figures in the game INCLUDING the racetracks themselves.
|
Let me clarify about the racetracks. I'm sure they would like fewer questions about integrity but they dont want to spend the money or go through the pain of cleaning up the sport at their level. It is easy to exclude some 2nd rate jockeys on property rights issues but it is much harder to kick off a super trainer and his 200 horses. What they fail to understand is that the owners are in the game because they love the game and because they want to make money, not because they are in love with Todd Pletcher or Steve Assmussen. They think they are in love with them because they are constantly bombarded in the racing press and TV by these guys. A lot of new money guys just go to the guy who is winning all the races not necessarily the guy who would be best for his operation. What happens is the super trainer is given power disproportionate to their actual standing. I mean what would Pletcher do if NYRA cut his stall in half? Not run in their stakes? Skip Saratoga? If you had a Saratoga quality 2 yo in his barn and he told you he was going to run him at Ellis Park because he's mad at NYRA what would you do?
So what happens to management in these situations is that they are willing to look the other way when it comes to the really big outfits. They become 'above the law'.
Does anyone really think the steroids scandal in baseball would have gotten so much press if Bonds, Sosa, and McGuire weren't involved?
How do you explain to the betting public how our game is on the up and up when all the major trainers are suspended?
Why do you think Assmussen got 6 months instead of 60 days or less?