Horse Racing Quotes and Comments

Insight and commentary on the world of thoroughbred horse racing.

Thoughts and opinions about the fascinating sport of thoroughbred horse racing from a racing insider.

Fun With Quotes

January 25, 2007

What the Horse Racing Blog has to say about what they had to say:

“I just lost total respect for the process. He beat Thor’s Echo two out of three. Now I expected we wouldn’t get the Eclipse Award over a horse like Thor’s Echo, because he won the Breeders’ Cup. But to not be mentioned as one of the three finalists? It’s embarrassing. It’s embarrassing for the voters.” (Daily Racing Form, January 25)
- Bill Spawr, trainer of Bordonaro

I couldn’t agree more (although I have to admit that I’m a little embarrassed that I didn’t catch the oversight myself). Mr. Spawr went on to rail against the decision include Discreet Cat as a sprint finalist saying “He’s not a sprinter.” Right on Mr. Spawr. By the way, that non-sprinter actually finished second in the voting ahead Henny Hughes, a grade one winner at six and seven furlongs last year. Embarrassing indeed.

"Plus, if they're having a bar and drinks and I can throw down a few bets, then it wasn't that difficult." (Lexington Herald-Leader, January 21)
- Jason Bibelhauser

Mr. Bibelhauser, a groom to be, had just made the discovery that bridal fairs aren’t so bad when they’re held at the newly expanded facilities at Churchill Downs. I just wonder how often he’ll be at the races after the nuptials.

“ We want to make it the greatest meeting in the world.” (Daily Racing Form, January 27)
- Greg Avioli, Breeders’ Cup CEO

By 2010, the Breeders’ Cup could well be a two day ‘festival’ with 16 races worth a combined $30 million. Is it just a coincidence that the Breeders’ Cup has entered this new progressive phase since un-merging from the NTRA last year?

“We’re trying a couple of different things. We’re trying to get the horse people out of here early on the weekends just to try to alleviate some of the traffic associated with the casino for the time being.” (Thoroughbred Times Today, January 3)
-Sal Sinatra, Director of Racing at Philadelphia Park

What an ironic title Mr. Sinatra has. It seems those pesky ‘horse people’, who have the audacity to attend the races, at the racetrack, are getting in the way of the slot players. There will be a separate casino building in place by 2009, but in the meantime I guess that’s what happens when a racetrack sells its soul to the casino industry…

“We have limited purse monies available, are facing increasing competition from growing slot-fueled purses in West Virginia and Delaware, and are about to face an entirely new wave of competition this year when Pennsylvania’s racetracks begin their slot operations.” (Bloodhorse.com January 25)
-Lou Raffetto, President and COO of the Marlyand Jockey Club

Those words were part of Mr. Raffetto’s announcement that the $500,000 G1 Pimlico Special would not be run in 2007. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t, or in this case can’t even though you’ve tried for years, sell your soul to the casinos.

It came upon a cold December morning, this message of icy reality from one of the nation’s most famous sporting venues: Buzz off, pal. Not in so many words, mind you, but clearly expressed in numbers was the fact that I’ve spent my last Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs. (Bloodhorse.com, January 16).
-John McEvoy, former Midwest Editor for Daily Racing Form

Mr. McEvoy was commenting on Churchill Downs’ decision to expand the reach of its personal seat licensing program to include several areas in the grandstand. He now has to pay a $1,000 fee in 2007 for the right to purchase his longtime Derby and Oaks seats for the next five years, at a face value of over $100 each. Granted the ‘black market’ value of those seats is in excess of $600, even though are actually bleachers with a limited view of the backstretch. As a publicly traded company Churchill has the obvious responsibility to make as much money as it can and the Derby is the company’s biggest cash cow. But I think the powers that be at Twin Spires, Inc. should at least consider what its own pricing policies are doing to the makeup of the crowds on Derby weekend. Local businesses in Louisville have banded together in response to the influx of chain restaurants and stores to create a ‘Keep Louisville Weird’ campaign. Churchill should consider the value of keeping the Derby ‘weird’ and accessible for as many everyday racing fans as possible, even if it means a few less dollars on the ledger in the short term.

“I can't display it and let people enjoy it, and one has already been donated, so I figured this way I could at least do something for the cats." (Bloodhorse.com, January 24).
-Connie Peters, daughter of Robert Lehmann, owner of 1970 Kentucky Derby winner Dust Commander

Mrs. Peters was explaining why she has a replica of her father’s Derby trophy on E-Bay (the original is safe and sound in the Kentucky Derby museum). She apparently wants to use the proceeds to help fund a homeless shelter for the feline set. I can’t comment on this without being, well, catty…

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Matt O'Neil has been a racing enthusiast since the mid-1980's. He is a freelance writer and thoroughbred marketing consultant and editor of the breeding journal Owner-Breeder International. Contact Matt O'Neil