So Shapiro might have the key, huh?
Wow ... let me see if I've got this right, OK?
(1) The Preakness Stakes, one of the high-profile days of the sport, is right around the corner
(2) A stupendous filly, Rachel Alexandra, is probably going to attempt to do something no distaffer has done in 85 years -- win the Preakness
(3) California is losing race horses by the bunches because owners are sending their horses out of state to run for bigger purses
(4) Hollywood Park can't fill one of its race cards a couple of weeks back because of a shortage of horses
(5) Trainers are still bending the rules with drugs and getting away with it because the penalties are a joke
(6) Some trainers are complaining that the synthetic surfaces are causing more injuries than before
(7) Purses in California are declining all the time, and even some stakes races at Hollywood Park were canceled as part of a budget crunch
(8) The other day at Hollywood Park, the first race consisted of four horses and the second and third races included whopping six-horse fields. It's a trend that's happening more and more frequently these days
(9) Del Mar, the most popular meet in Southern California, has cut back from six to five race days per week this summer. That might actually turn out to be a positive, but still, if the ship was running smoothly, the captain wouldn't be on shore an extra day a week.
(10) Many jockeys are being forced to consider the option of going elsewhere because there just aren't as many mounts to go around anymore. The top jocks get the vast majority of the mounts.
And what are we talking about in California today? Are we trying to fix these problems and get horse racing back on the right track? Uh, no. What we are forced to talk about is owner Jerry Jamgotchian accusing former CHRB head Richard Shapiro of keying his car on April 24 during a CHRB meeting at Hollywood Park. Shapiro allegedly left the meeting early, went out and keyed Jamgotchian's car, got back in his own car, thought some more about it, and got out and keyed Jamgotchian's car again. There are reportedly eight track security cameras -- EIGHT!!! -- that got all of this on film.
If this is true, if in fact Shapiro -- a respected man in the industry who quit his post on the CHRB in recent months and was holding down a position that reportedly pays $350,000 per year to help California racing when this alleged incident happened -- committed this act against a man who, granted has been a thorn in the man's side for years now, well, it just shows why California horse racing is in the shape it's in. Folks, we have no leadership in the state. Will somebody please stand up and end all this nonsense before this great sport of our's fades away?
I'm getting tired of writing about stuff that I shouldn't have to write about. I want to write about the great people in this game, the great horses, the great storylines that abound during Triple Crown season. Instead, I have to waste precious minutes writing about childish acts because it's news that needs to be reported. I thought all these guys graduated from high school 20 or 30 years ago.
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Good job Art. It's time that the public knows who's been running and also ruining things in California Racing. Shapiro is one of a handfull of "wackadoos" that have made spitefull decisions to harm people that have disageed with them in California. Nobody has fought them harder than Jerry Jamgotchian and the "keying" is the best example yet of their (his) vindictiveness.
Richard Shapiro is the main reason that California racing is in dire straights right now. His leadership, or lack thereof during the synthetic track installations was a disgrace. As a matter of fact, the entire current CHRB board should be investigated.
Replace the entire CHRB Board with "Sportsmen", not "Horsemen".
We need a new approach and new leadership.
Arnold, are you there?
It sure would be nice if the CHRB could be comprised of people who know the sport well enough to make rulings, but then also have no stake as owners. The challenge is finding enough qualified people. Are they out there? I'm sure they are, but currently there is that perception among fans that these board members have a conflict of interest because some are horse owners. Was Shapiro wrong in mandating these artificial surfaces? In my opinion, having the luxury of sitting back and second-guessing, yes he was. A lot of people thought he was wrong at the time they were mandated. But he shouldn't have to take the entire fall because not one CHRB member stood up and vehemently opposed the move. Jerry Moss, I believe, stated he thought they needed more study, but by and large Shapiro received very little opposition from his board members if I remember correctly.
Have the images of the "keying" caught by the security camera disappeared yet? Just Curious!
You have to write about crap like this because there are people who behave like idiots in positions of authority. They look at owners like they are an inconvenience and that is evidenced by the alleged keying of the car. That just shows you how small these "bigshots" are. They are in every state racing agency and the sooner they are ferreted out and removed the sooner you can write about the things you love to report on. Until then, either overlook the crap and write about what you want or suffer thru it. (Along with the rest of us, that have to make a living under these idiots.)
How about a Chariot Race between Jamgotchian and Shapiro. A two horse field is about where we are anyway and given all the publicity over this incident we might fill the stands on a Friday Night.
Anyone remember Ben Hur?
Andrew,
Sounds good to me, but I don't know that ANYTHING would ever fill the stands at Hollywood Park ... maybe free money?
Thanks for telling the truth about the corrupt, ignorant and arrogant mismanagement at the administrative level in Calif. horse racing. Wish you would investigate and write about my story. My story is about the CHRB steward's taking my own horse by force and giving it to another trainer which, basically was a revocation of my license as a trainer. All done without even a modicum of the procedural due process required under Business and Professions Code 19461 and Govt. Code Section 11503. The other trainer, by the way, broke the horse's leg within 30 days of getting him. If you would like to read the short version of the details (10 double- spaced pages) please let me know. Gail Ruffu
Gail,
I would be interested to read it. Please e-mail it to me at art.wilson@sgvn.com.
Hollywood just filed Chapter 11 according to Fox News!
Just heard from a Hollywood Park official ... Fox News producer says they meant Magna/ Santa Anita ... official says there is no truth to the rumor that Hollywood Park has filed Chapter 11.
Fox News took down the video of the live news report. Misleading Report!