JC / Railbird

Racing Archive

Triple Crown Winners, Mad Men, and Rogues

Eleven horses have won the Triple Crown, and seven of those won in a two decade period that began in 1930 and ended in 1948. It would be another 25 years before Secretariat added his name to the list, with Seattle Slew and Affirmed following in quick succession. It’s been 37 years since the last was crowned, and speculation abounds — as it does every spring that a horse goes to the Belmont Stakes a potential winner — about why the gap has grown so long. Maybe the question is, how did we get three in the 1970s?

Thoroughbred owner and famed ad man Bill Backer is enjoying a turn in the spotlight following the series finale of “Mad Men,” which closed on the iconic 1971 “Hilltop” Coca-Cola commercial. It’s credited to him as the originator, for coming up with the concept, “I’d like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company.” Jingles and horses — fun story, right? It is, and both America’s Best Racing and Thoroughbred Daily News have jumped on the pop culture and racing connection. Both also treat the ad as the epiphanic accomplishment of one white man — and, yes, that descriptor is relevant:

Backer wrote, “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” on a napkin and the rest is history.

… the next day Backer … wrote “I’d like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company.” The rest of the lyrics and music followed …

But there’s more to the story, and it’s a great read. “We have a long tradition in the United States of erasing the creative work of black Americans,” writes Tim Carmody of noted McCann-Erickson music director Billy Davis, co-writer of the Coke song. We should do better in horse racing, when given the chance.

Rogues or underdogs? Triple Crown connections tend to fall into one or the other in the media. Last year’s storyline was the latter. This year’s may be the former: “Owner of American Pharoah Is Fighting Lawsuit Amid Triple Crown Bid,” is the New York Times headline, “American Pharoah owner didn’t pay $1.6M in sports bets, felon says,” at NJ.com. The best detail in either report is that Ahmed Zayat allegedly offered $1 million to his felon-friend if he would tell the sportsbook to which he owed money that he died in a car accident.

American Pharoah is back on track. He jogged this morning at Churchill Downs after four days of walking, and may start galloping again on Friday.

Withholding rules on winning wagers are outdated and need to be changed, and the industry has a shot at making that happen this year, but more horseplayers have to get involved. While approximately 3,000 4,000 have submitted comments through the NTRA website regarding the proposed rules revision, “Treasury officials have recently told the organization that more comments are needed if the changes are to be seriously considered,” reports Matt Hegarty. I am of two minds re: this angle on seeking engagement — the first is that horseplayers should show their support for the changes, the second is that this sounds like a set-up for putting the blame on players should the campaign fail. “Look,” racing executives will shrug, “gamblers don’t care about taxes,” making it that much harder for future reforms to pass.

5/27/15 Update: With industry cooperation over the past week, more than 9,500 comments have been submitted to the Treasury department.

Posted in Racing on May 21, 2015 / Tagged R360, Triple Crown

Three Days

It looks as though closing day for the 2014 meet won’t be the last day of racing ever at Suffolk Downs: The East Boston track has filed an application (PDF) with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to hold three days of racing this year. If approved, the cards will be scheduled for July 11, August 8, and September 5, spacing that gives horsemen a chance to run back horses (and in particular, Massachusetts-breds) for the projected $500,000 in daily purses. Lynne Snierson reports that the track anticipates filling 12-14 races each day; Matt Hegarty that takeout on wagers will drop to 15% across the board. Steeplechase races may be in the mix. The MGC will hold a public hearing on June 11 to discuss the application. They’re taking comments now.

5/21/15 Addendum: Not all horsemen support Suffolk’s application:

… which they say would bring few benefits to local horse owners and trainers who need a much longer season to survive. Last year, there were 65 days of racing at Suffolk Downs.

“I oppose the transfer of race horse development funds in consideration of a day or two of racing,” Billy Lagorio, a horse owner, wrote in a letter to the state commission. The letter characterized Suffolk Downs as “uncommitted” to conducting “a meaningful horse racing” season.

Really, the only way to view this three-day proposal is as a life preserver for Massachusetts Thoroughbred racing. It’s a means of tapping the Race Horse Development Fund monies already banked to help keep horsemen afloat until — well, that’s uncertain. It’s not a “meaningful” season — it’s not meant to be.

Posted in Racing on May 20, 2015 / Tagged Suffolk Downs

Be Retired

Well wishes for Be Bullish, who retires a winner after eight years on track. The 10-year-old gelding started in 87 races, won 19, and earned more than $1.1 million. He’s the kind of horse who fills most cards, most days, year after year at racetracks major and minor — sound enough and classy enough to compete at the allowance level or in overnight stakes, but inevitably falling into lower and lower claiming spots as he ages and slows. He’s the kind of horse who becomes a fan favorite, because he’s consistent and game.

“All great athletes have to retire some time, and not too many great athletes get to retire at the top of their game,” said owner Mike Repole, who claimed Be Bullish for $16,000 from trainer David Jacobson on Sunday at Belmont Park (quote link subscriber only). His final win was his third this year, his fourth straight. The gelding will be sent to Old Friends Cabin Creek.

Thank you @alyssejacobs for the last walk back to the barn before retirement. Goes out a winner! #BeBullish pic.twitter.com/hvgwSNyzz7

— Kelly Summers Wietsma (@equisponse) May 17, 2015

Posted in Racing on May 18, 2015 / Tagged Be Bullish, Claiming Horses, Mike Repole, New York, Old Friends, Retirement