Brian Zipse asks why Blind Luck gets a pass that Rachel Alexandra didn’t:
I understand that Rachel was held to a higher standard, as the reigning Horse of the Year, but to what end? Have we become so expecting of perfection of our stars, that they simply can not live up to them. Do we not allow ourselves to fully enjoy the special ones, because of these expectations?
Simply, yes.
There’s something about repeated brilliance that inspires a fear of loss (a fear not specific to racing). It’s sentimental. We can’t stand to lose the magic.
Posted by JC in Racing on 01/26/2011 @ 7:49 am / Tagged Blind Luck, Distaffers, Fans, Perfection, Psychology, Rachel Alexandra, Sports / Follow @railbird on Twitter
January 26, 2011: In negotiations for the 2011 live racing season, Suffolk Downs offers the New England HBPA $7.5 million in total purses for a 100-day meet, or higher purses for a reduced meet, which would require a change in the state legislation regulating racing days.
See: Suffolk Blues.
January 29, 2011: The New England HBPA, rejecting Suffolk Downs offered terms for a 2011 meet, blocks the Aqueduct simulcasting signal. The NEHBPA demands $10.6 million in total purses, no reduction in the legally mandated number of race days, and a 50-50 simulcasting revenue split.
See: Wild Talk in NE; The Other Side; Stalemate Update.
February 5, 2011: Negotiations at a standstill, the Ohio and Florida horsemens’ groups pull the Beulah, Tampa Bay, and Gulfstream simulcasting signals from Suffolk Downs in solidarity with the NEHBPA.
See: Digging In; “A Slap in the Face.”
February 9, 2011: Oregon horsemen pull the Portland Meadows signal.
See: The Impasse, Continued; Suffolk Scene; Negotiations to Resume?
February 10, 2011: The NEHBPA presents Suffolk Downs with a counter-offer for the upcoming meet. Horsemen hold firm on their earlier demands for purses, days, and the simulcasting split, but do concede purse guarantees. Maryland horsemen pull the Laurel simulcasting signal from the track. Suffolk Downs threatens legal action against the NEHBPA.
See: Point by Point; New Proposal, Laurel Cut; Sharing the Risk.
February 14, 2011: On the first Saturday that many Massachusetts bettors are unable to wager on Gulfstream, Aqueduct, and several other signals, Rockingham Park, in New Hampshire, and other nearby facilities report an increase in attendance and handle.
See: Betting Elsewhere.
February 15, 2011: Suffolk Downs replies by letter to the NEHBPA proposal. The communication is not a formal response, but a request to restore simulcasting signals, and a counter-argument to assertions made by the horsemen’s group in support of their demands.
See: Suffolk Responds; 100 Days or No Days.
February 17, 2011: Negotiations resume.
See: Later Today; Horsemen, Suffolk Talk.
February 21, 2011: There are indications of a breakthrough in talks.
See: No Consensus (Yet); NEHBPA Discussions Continue; It’s Not Critical; Proposal Revised, Talks Continue.
February 25, 2011: After several days of discussion, the NEHBPA rejects the latest offer from Suffolk Downs, which raised total purses to $8.4 million for 75-85 days of racing and provided for an equitable simulcasting split. The track also asked that the horsemen agree to not oppose legislation reducing race days. In a late-night development, however, the NEHBPA announces it will accept a modified offer, one that provides $8.25 million for 100 days.
See: What’s Next?; Unaminously Accepted.
February 27, 2011: Suffolk Downs officials state the NEHBPA accepted an offer that was never made and reject the proposal.
See: The Offer That Isn’t; “Sink or Swim.”
March 1, 2011: Following additional talks, Suffolk Downs and the NEHBPA agree in principle to terms for the upcoming meet.
See: Almost There.
March 4, 2011: An agreement is announced. Suffolk Downs and the NEHBPA agree to a two-year contract that provides $8.25 million in total purses for 80 days and a 50-50 simulcasting split. The agreement also stipulates that the backstretch will be open from April to November and that the NEHBPA will remain neutral on race-day legislation.
See: Suffolk Deal Struck; The 80-Day Compromise.
Timeline originally published on 2/8/2011 and updated through 3/5/2011.
Posted by JC in Industry on 01/26/2011 @ 6:00 am / Tagged #suffolkdispute2011 / Follow @railbird on Twitter
John Williams reviews Jaimy Gordon’s racetrack novel:
Lord of Misrule isn’t a chore. It’s more accurate to say that it alternately charms and befuddles. It’s possible to move from deep admiration to deep suspicion of it in the space between paragraphs. It’s wise and flaky. It’s funny intentionally and unintentionally. It begins with a bit of overworked imagery and ends with a great plainspoken sentence.
Odds on the NBA winner collects the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award?
“Lord of Misrule” is also among the 16 works competing for the Rooster in the Morning News’ annual Tournament of Books, which begins March 7. Tough competition there; “Super Sad True Love Story” is a solid favorite for the title.
Posted by JC in Readings on 01/25/2011 @ 7:30 am / Tagged Book Awards, Book Reviews, Books, Fiction, Jaimy Gordon, Lord of Misrule / Follow @railbird on Twitter
