IHHA update

[jrstark]

In our continued commitment to improve the life of the Illinois Harness Horsemen, the IHHA wanted to explain some of the issues currently being discussed in regards to our 2012 contract. We are trying to ensure that Balmoral and Maywood Park make the necessary upgrades in their facilities to allow us to work in a comfortable and safe environment. We expect these improvements to come out of the money which was received by Maywood and Balmoral from the 3% impact fee bill. The IHHA is seeking the following:

At Balmoral:
- New roofs on every barn
- Pave entire backstretch with asphalt or similar
- Flood lights for entire backstretch
- Add more hot water tanks for hot water improvement
- Electric improvements for paddock (more outlets for fans, etc.)
- More televisions for the paddock area
- Additional stall space for 13th, 14th race with a secured storage area with lock and cameras, for racebikes and jogcarts
- Complete overhauling of drainage problem in area from racetrack to paddock. The door openings in paddock to the racetrack must be built up and leveled
- New winners circle vehicle (golf cart, gator etc.)
- Completely remodel the driver’s room (couches, paint, etc.)
- Security cameras in paddock and in parking lot
(Where trucks and trailers are parked)
- Saddle pads (2 sets)
- Re-opening and re-modeling of track kitchen
- Weekly television show on a cable TV station to market the sport
- In-between race interviews with driver-trainer about upcoming races
- Add 30% in purse money to Super Night Finals (corporate sponsorship encouraged)
- Add equicizer to backstretch
- Add aquaciser to backstretch
 
At Maywood:
- Pave entire backstretch with asphalt or similar
- Renovation of paddocks – Matted stalls, concrete aisles etc;
Including a storage area facility for racebikes and jogcarts, that is secured with locks and cameras
- Heat in ship in barn
- Completely remodel the driver’s room (couches, paint, etc.)
- Paddock doors to be replaced with lighter doors and new tracks
- Upgraded, thicker new padding around light poles on the infield
- Backstretch kitchen needs to be completely remodeled (tables, chairs, paint, etc.)
- Security cameras in paddock and in parking lot
- Lighting between paddock and parking lots
- Saddle pads (2 sets)
- In-between race interviews with driver-trainer about upcoming races
- Add equicizer to backstretch
- Add aquaciser to backstretch

http://www.harnessillinois.com/

[trotsamillion]

What, no golden, heated toilet seats? I hope the powers to be at both tracks didn't hurt themselves laughing. Can we say joke?

[looking in]

The more you ask for the more you can give back in trade.

[trotter]

Trot it isn't funny.  Ask for all you can get.  This backside situation needs attention.  The place is turning into a dump!!  The steps outside the track kitchen are falling apart. There are holes big enough to swallow a small child.  In the 35 years I have raced here I have seen the decline and it is sickening to remember how it used to be.  To go in a track kitchen and actually get something to eat that wouldn't kill you.  The roofs leak so bad the inside of the barns have running creeks going down their hallways.  It's a joke.  Racing board years ago used to come and inspect the backside, apparently they have lost interest because no one cares.

[Illinois sucks]

Both places are a dump outside of the grandstand they haven't cared for many many years just think
if they got there slots how much the horse racing aspect would look if they didn't care before they
will care even less as they will be printing money.  Don't worry no chance anyway for that Johnstons
no good for horse product or the people involved with it wondering why people can't see that they
are just greedy dush bags in it for themselves.

[honest & balanced terry]

What, no golden, heated toilet seats? I hope the powers to be at both tracks didn't hurt themselves laughing. Can we say joke?

I have a hard time believing that track management isn't just falling all over themselves to meet those eminently reasonable aquaciser demands.

[honest & balanced terry]

Don't worry no chance anyway for that Johnstons
no good for horse product or the people involved with it wondering why people can't see that they
are just greedy dush bags in it for themselves.

Is anyone involved in racing as a profession NOT just a greedy dush bag in it for themselves? Trainers? Drivers? Vets? Blacksmiths?  

Some of the smaller homegrown mom & pop operations, maybe they're in it for love, but for most everyone else, their own monetary well-being is first and foremost.

[LARRY TROTTER]

Reach for the sky
If they agree to even half the requested items i would be amazed

[Illinois sucks]

My goal is buy the best i can afford as a yearling hope they turn into something special
losing 100k in training, vet bills, staking, and buying the horses last year I haven't turned
on my trainer and sented those horses to Burke or Miller love going to see my horses in the
morning before work and out east to race my income isn't disposable but I do make a very
good living to try a business I like and notice didn't say hobby.  So greed on my part not
likely if results continue then on to something else but for time being my kids enjoy just as
myself.  The dush bags like Lightening Lane and whoever is in with Burke racing can go
screw themselves they have cheated the sport and owners of the sport.

[honesthorseman]

My goal is buy the best i can afford as a yearling hope they turn into something special
losing 100k in training, vet bills, staking, and buying the horses last year I haven't turned
on my trainer and sented those horses to Burke or Miller love going to see my horses in the
morning before work and out east to race my income isn't disposable but I do make a very
good living to try a business I like and notice didn't say hobby.  So greed on my part not
likely if results continue then on to something else but for time being my kids enjoy just as
myself.  The dush bags like Lightening Lane and whoever is in with Burke racing can go
screw themselves they have cheated the sport and owners of the sport.

just wait for people to come out of the woodwork now saying that you have the wrong trainer and you should try them and then you wont lose 100k.............they will make you100k


good luck

[Illinois sucks]

Thats ok have had a couple other trainers for a couple horses that were in partnership
with and even thou both horses never amounted to much which never blamed either the
quality of the horse wasn't there and the other had issues with his soundness all that
happens the one thou we were lead on to being better in the end he wasn't and will
leave it with that.  Don't get me wrong we had some good horses and most of mine made
the track and our best made 90k but we have a few partners there, bad luck in draws
on big races for my only Ill bred, or bad drives but that is racing, totalled nearly 95k in
purse money may have had atleast 18 win photo's but the staking, vet bills, travel to
watch all that shit adds up and I will say this racing needs owners like myself and the
few that got me into the game that keep things going year to year than some ego driven
trainers that are here at Balmoral which are a dime a dozen especially when racing out
east.  They all have the same b.s. lines myself just want to have my babies taken care
of not over trained early and ready for racing come June then everything will play out if
they are good enough.

[LUCPARK]

KEEP YOUR CHIN UP,,,YOU ARE ONE THE FEW,,, THAT CAN AFFORD RACING,,,,

IN OUR MARKET PEOPLE ARE GOING BROKE JUST TRYING TO STAY AFLOAT...

[LUCPARK]

ITS JUST A HOBBY TO ME,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,SERIOUSLY IT IS,,,,

[Old and Slow]

ITS JUST A HOBBY TO ME,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,SERIOUSLY IT IS,,,,

Don't say that to our dear Uncle...

[Illinois sucks]

I'm fine wouldn't be in the game and of the 100k loss 62k was from buying 4 new yearlings so if I can
keep a marginal loss or make money atleast over next two years I will be happy but I think the IRS gives
you 6 years to show a gain then your business turns into a hobby and tax writes become less have to
check that unless someone out there knows?

[honest & balanced terry]

My goal is buy the best i can afford as a yearling hope they turn into something special
losing 100k in training, vet bills, staking, and buying the horses last year I haven't turned
on my trainer and sented those horses to Burke or Miller love going to see my horses in the
morning before work and out east to race my income isn't disposable but I do make a very
good living to try a business I like and notice didn't say hobby.  So greed on my part not
likely

I did specify "racing as a profession" which does not include most owners.

[pork]

http://

I did specify "racing as a profession" which does not include most owners.

And your stats on this "fact" come from where?  BTW, do own any?  Pork

[honest & balanced terry]

http://And your stats on this "fact" come from where?  BTW, do own any?  Pork

My "stats" come from personal observation of, and interaction with, both owners and racing professionals on the backsides and frontsides of various racetracks in 7 different states throughout my 17 year career of owning thoroughbred race horses. The ones who are trying to make a living at the track - the track as a profession - consider their own financial well-being first and foremost just like the track owners do. However, trying to make a living at the track does not describe most owners. Do you own any?

[LARRY TROTTER]

Why not at least supply the horsemen with materials and they can provide labor . Then the major issues can be resolved and contractors can be brought in .

[Illinois sucks]

Not sure where the discussion was on this but owning standardbreds and racing as far as
a owner stand point tuff to break even based on percentages but even worst in thoroughbred
game were I have read somewhere were only 6% of owners make money year to year.  Know
again got that somewhere in a article which I would be correct but is someone else's information.
Thoroughbred game much tuffer I would think everything cost much more than Harness from what
I understand even though purses are higher the thoroughbred races much less than the standardbred.
No matter how you slice if your in the game you have made some money along the way or earn it
doing you day to day life elsewhere me it's for love of it not the greed of it.

[Old and Slow]

Why not at least supply the horsemen with materials and they can provide labor . Then the major issues can be resolved and contractors can be brought in .

That might work on a farm out in the country (like mine) but when it comes to the tracks there are permits needed, licensed contractors, inspectors, fire marshalls etc.

Horsemen wouldn't have time, either.

[honest & balanced terry]

No matter how you slice if your in the game you have made some money along the way or earn it doing you day to day life elsewhere me it's for love of it not the greed of it.

And that is why I specifically mentioned people "involved in racing as a profession" as being the same "greedy dush bag in it for themselves" as the track owners you characterized in that manner. Anyone who is there trying to make a living is "in it for themselves". They are not running a charity. Neither are the track owners.

[pork]

http://

My "stats" come from personal observation of, and interaction with, both owners and racing professionals on the backsides and frontsides of various racetracks in 7 different states throughout my 17 year career of owning thoroughbred race horses. The ones who are trying to make a living at the track - the track as a profession - consider their own financial well-being first and foremost just like the track owners do. However, trying to make a living at the track does not describe most owners. Do you own any?

Yes Eighteen Standardbreds. Four racing.  Two two yr olds that look great-dont they all now.  mares, foals, yearlings. I notice that you failed to answer the same question-Do you own any?  And I'm sure your statistical analysis is valid   Pork

[blind switch]

 

[honest & balanced terry]

I notice that you failed to answer the same question-Do you own any?

Not any more I don't. But what difference does it make one way or the other? The observation I made was about racing professionals, like trainers, drivers (or jockeys in my case), blacksmiths, vets, etc., and yes, track owners. Not horse owners.  

And I'm sure your statistical analysis is valid

That's certainly an opinion, and since it is, why don't you provide your counter proof to my claim? Post the names of, oh, say, 20 racing professionals across the country who are running charities and put everyone else's financial well-being ahead of their own like so many here feel the "greedy" track owners should do. Not horse owners whose primary income is from somewhere else, but actual racing professionals earning their living off of racing.