As reported yesterday, the 3rd at Parx Wednesday was declared a “no contest due to a spill.” Now, as I fully anticipated, we have confirmation that at least one of those involved, 4-year-old Sudoku Terry, died. (The other, Alma Brilha, survived for now, but we’ll see.) That makes it two kills (Ritaan, a few races later), on the same day – and all of it funded by the good taxpayers of Pennsylvania. As a postscript, the “no contest” was covered by the Paulick Report because and only because, as its headline reads, the “marred race [left] jockeys hospitalized.” And having reported on the dinged-up jockeys, Paulick was practically forced to mention Ritaan. Vile people. Vile industry.
In other news, we are of course heavily engaged in the effort to decouple the two Thoroughbred tracks down in Florida – which, if the bill passes, would leave Gulfstream and Tampa Bay free to keep their gaming licenses without the requirement to hold live horseracing. In other words, this may be the beginning of the end for one or both tracks. Wednesday, the bill, HB 105, was overwhelmingly voted out of a House subcommittee. Obviously, there are more hurdles to clear, but in the meantime I give you this quote from Lonny Powell, the CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association:
“The misguided effort to decouple racing in favor of slot machine and cardroom casinos threatens the heart of our state’s $3.24 billion, and growing, Thoroughbred industry.”
Well, Mr. Powell, if your industry generates billions – “and growing” – you shouldn’t need taxpayer subsidies, right? These racing people take legislators (and the masses) for fools. At the same time, Powell said this: “I don’t know what we did to deserve that. What did the horse people do to be put in such a spot?” Um, I can answer that, Mr. Powell: You failed. The public (at least outside of Kentucky) doesn’t want what you’re selling anymore.
Fred & Joan, the racing industry press is reporting that the New York Racing Association is sparing no expense and paying attention to every detail. Whatever they’re selling is supposed to be because of the government subsidies and that $455 Million State-backed Bond Loan that was approved by Gov. Hochul. I don’t know but it sounds like they are bragging about it as if they’re getting money from another source in addition to the government support.
If both California and Florida horseracing tracks go out of business by 2028, will the NYRA people still be bragging about how great their facilities are? It might be that live horseracing in New York will soon follow after Florida and California don’t have legal racing.
It does not surprise me that there is petition action to contact legislators to increase the profits of gaming enterprises and not one word of action on how to rescue horses when the industry goes belly up. So, just for the record, you all who have your own agendas for wanting racing to close other than humane reasons for horse welfare and protection, I will tell you the future of not only Florida, but for all humanity and it comes straight from the Bible.
This world and everything in it is on borrowed time, Revelation is clear about that and when Christ makes a promise, HE DELIVERS. Read Revelation and prepare yourselves, because the world is on its way out and the Battle of Armageddon is nearing the starting gate. For those organizations, rescue groups et al, on The Day of the Lord, all who did not rescue horses from calamities and used them as an excuse to build the profits of Big Business….well, the Rod of Justice will be most active when Christ returns. So for those who have a clean conscience they have nothing to fear, but for those who used thoroughbreds for excuse to build gambling empires, there is a place reserved for the wicked — and is is stocked with maggots and worms that will feast on the flesh and blood of all evildoers who opposed God’s laws of compassion, sympathy and assistance to His horses and to His creation.
Lonny Powell used to be heavily involved with racing here in Oregon many years ago. When he realized racing was a sinking ship in our state he departed for better conditions in Florida. Wonder where he will go next after the Florida racing sinks? Decouple all racing from all subsidies including the Hub funds from ADW`s that Oregon racing now relies on to fund the racing commission as well the Oregon Racing commission too. The small tax % is the only $ support that allows the bull ring county fair meets to operate at the summer fairs here. Those bull ring 1/2 mile tracks are the worst of the worst in our years experience with them in Oregon. Absolutely nothing worse.
Belinda Stronach was reported to have said that Gulfstream is not a good place for horses. I didn’t read the rest of the article, but my thought was that she is thinking about all of the millions and billions of dollars she and her business partners can make through the development of the real estate by building hotels and other businesses that attract many more people with money to spend.
When Belinda Stronach was reported to have said Gulfstream is not a good place for horses, it could not possibly mean that she all of a sudden had an attack of conscience. It’s a no-brainer that she meant to influence people’s minds about what Gulfstream is good for. It’s good for development into something that is profitable for herself and her business partners. She also was reported to have said that she hates horses in a past article.
If you live in Florida, please contact your state reps!
📢 Take action now: Every message counts! Use our online tool to send a prewritten letter to your reps here:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/urge-florida-legislators-to-support-hb-105-s-408?source=direct_link&
Then CALL your Florida Reps today!
Use the online tools below to find your reps and their contact numbers!
Find your Florida State Senator: https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/find
Find your Florida State House Representative:
https://www.flhouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative
Sample Call Script:
Please vote yes and support HB 105 (if calling House Rep) / S 408 (if calling State Senator), which will modernize Florida’s economy by allowing gaming businesses to operate without being tied to live horse racing. Decoupling will attract new investment, create jobs, and strengthen Florida’s tourism and gaming industries.
Need help? Contact me at nicole@horseracingwrongs.com