What Is The KHHA Up To These Days?
5/2/10 by Aaron J. Young for KyHarnessRacing.com 5 COMMENTS
5 Comments
Ken Terpenning - Lexington, Ky
Eddie Blair (KHHA Board Member) - Paintsville, Ky
Terry Cullipher - Calvert City, Ky
Tom LaMarra - Lexington Ky
5/2/10 by Aaron J. Young for KyHarnessRacing.com 5 COMMENTS
The April 19 board meeting of the KHHA had some issues of importance to those involved in Kentucky horse racing. With the
meals devoured and the voting done, it left for more than a few questions for the 18 board members of the Kentucky Harness
Horsemen’s Association.
In the past, when asked how a decision come about, it seems the KHHA has been a lot of he said she said. For the organization
to grow productively, better communication and more transparency is desperately needed. If the KHHA plans to survive, it must
move forward -- not back.
A positive to those looking for fresh faces and ideas is the April 19 hiring of Gabe Prewitt. He brings some youth and
enthusiasm to the position of Executive Secretary and a desire to “get things going in the right direction”. I have a suggestion
for Gabe, an email list (of directors) and an updated website would be a great start.
The downfall with Gabe is his employment/relationship with The Red Mile. I am not sure yet if this will affect his decisions or
performance for either employer, although there is potential for conflict during future negotiations between the horsemen and
the racetrack. I will give Gabe the benefit of the doubt. However, I have my reservations.
KyHarnessRacing.com recently asked, KHHA President Bobby Stewart about a possible conflict of interest and he said, ”Gabe is
a young guy and to find that person with knowledge about the business, who isn't involved in some aspect, is almost
impossible.”
Another main topic at the meeting was the money of the bonus program for the upcoming meet at the Red Mile. KHHA
President Bobby Stewart made his argument for the proposal, that he was in favor of, from the Red Mile to discontinue the
Kentucky Owners' Bonus Program. During his statements to the board;
Mr. Stewart made the comment, "It probably isn’t enough to matter anyway", referring to the money owners receive from this
program.
Gary Neafus, a Kentucky horsemen who was present at the meeting, spoke up at that time and said, "It is enough to matter!"
(in reference to Mr. Stewart's comment).
The money would have gone into The Red Mile purse account. Instead, the board turn down that proposal. I agree with Mr.
Neafus and the board members who voted to keep the owners bonus program. This program is a positive for Kentucky
horsemen.
The issue of The Red Mile horsemen’s contract was also up for approval. After an earlier meeting with Red Mile President and
CEO Joe Costa, Bobby Stewart brought the resulting offer to the table.
Race the 2010 meet with $100,000 less and three fewer racing days is the deal (change in contract) that was brokered by Bobby
Stewart and passed by the board.
- The KHHA's decision begs to question: When is it a good time to say “NO”?
The Red Mile is on the verge of a multi-million dollar development deal, to in part help with “the tracks long term viability”. If
there was ever a time to try and stand up to The Red Mile hierarchy, it is now. Instead, Bobby Stewart let another opportunity
pass over. While their were a few board members who questioned it, in the end they voted yes along with everyone else. One of
Stewart's selling points was and I quote, "We've helped out the other two tracks (Thunder Ridge and Bluegrass Downs) in the
past with money." Stewart went on to say, "Kentucky is in a dire straits situation, and the board felt this was a way to secure a
contract for racing in 2011."
- Although he didn’t get a better contract for the horsemen, however, he was able to negotiate the use of a water truck from The
Red Mile.
- In comparison, there's a huge difference between the Red Mile and the other two tracks. So that's not really a fair analogy. Its
almost like comparing apples to oranges. The Red Mile is owned by some of the biggest owner's and breeders in the business,
the other two tracks are not. But if you thought these new owners bought it to turn it around and make the track a place of
interest to the public, you've been sadly mistaken, and by now you've probably had second thoughts of their intentions. After
watching some of the things that go on at the historic track, it is disappointing -- to say the least.
The decision the board has made, in all probability, is the first step to an extended type of Grand Circuit fall meet, when the
track could be ship-in only. Then management can say we offered overnights, but they did not fill. Then Stewart and the board
will say, some racing is better than no racing.
This was the meeting in a nut shell. So I must ask the horsemen of Kentucky: Do you believe in holding your elected officials
accountable? Or, do you believe in just settling for what ever -- good or bad?
- Change has to start somewhere and I believe that it needs to be at the top. Bobby Stewart has commented to some that he
may retire if our situation doesn’t improve. Will that include his position as President of the KHHA?
- While Kentucky’s Lawmakers can’t agree on a budget, we wait and wait for them to do what is right for the horse industry.
With the possibility of millions of dollars in purse money on the table, you have to ask yourself, are these the people you want
making decisions and handling your racing interests?
5 Comments
Ken Terpenning - Lexington, Ky
- I could not have said it better myself...oh wait, most of which I HAVE said in my Homer article and in the past in other articles...great minds think
alike! Good job!!
Eddie Blair (KHHA Board Member) - Paintsville, Ky
- Aaron Young made some good points. Nobody was fed that night though. As a matter of fact Jerry Haws and myself were starving after 3 hours
of interviews and finally discussing transitional procedures for taking up where Bill left off. The bonus cut was thrown out there for discussion by
Stewart indeed. More people than Gary spoke up about that.
I am an owner who looks forward to that bonus money too. We were never in danger of losing this. We should all ask what we could do? In my
area one thing on my agenda is to put together a strong backing for State Rep. challenger Bill Mike Runyon from Paintsville. He is willing to back
the horse industry. One of his key contributors is former Rachel Alexadria owner Mike Lauffer from Paintsville. Incumbant Hubert Collins voted no
on Stumbo's earlier HB that would have called for VLT's. Runyon is a hard nosed recently retired basketball coaching legend in this area. He will
not be intimidated by anyone in Frankfort.
I am currently using my school e-mail accounts to educate the teachers on the horse industry. The school systems are key at election time here.
As far as the 3 days and $100K cut by The Red Mile, what leverage do we have? I race 5 or more horses a year there, If the majority wants to
see if its a bluff and refuse to race I'll do it with you. On Gabe Prewitt being in conflict, he was asked that question in the interviewing process
and was confident that it would not be a problem. If there is any concerns I could address please call me at
606-371-0884. Good luck to all.
Terry Cullipher - Calvert City, Ky
- Eddie, thanks for your comment. Just like in politics, its always good to know where each board member stands. I have requested for years that
the minutes of the meetings be sent out in a newsletter or by use of the KHHA website. As you well know, this has yet to happen. How can a
member even begin to make a decision on who to vote for when they don't have the slightest bit of information on who does what. As members,
there is no way of knowing even the simplest things, such as who attended a meeting and who did not. (of which is a very important factor when
voting). It is always good to know we have board members like you that are willing to take the initiative and reach out to people in their community.
- By the way, the KHHA website is an absolute joke. Totally embarrassing. It has not be updated for over 18 months. If any board member would
like to defend the KHHA or explain why this has happened, I ask you to do so publicly, by comment or by using your newsletter - not the KHHA
website (as of this point, the website is mute.).
- Eddie, great comment, this is why I write for this site, it can get us thinking. If only more members would comment on their reasoning’s. I’m sorry
that you guys didn’t get to have dinner; it's just every other KHHA meeting started with a meal. I have a few more questions. Why did they have
to renegotiate the existing contract in its final year? And what leverage does The Red Mile have -- “Agree or we’ll shut down”? The KHHA has
given The Red Mile the benefit of the doubt for years. I don’t think that anyone wants to see The Red Mile close, but what have they done to
improve their product. Live racing on Sunday, Monday, Thursdays, NO ADVERTISING, RESTROOMS THAT REEK of urine, and complaints of
poor customer service, and keeping Night of Champions a big secret. So, the KHHA bailout continues without cause for anything different in the
near future. Except, the barn area will be full of apartments and shops, not horses. What is with this thinking, at the meetings, that “if the majority
wants to then I will”? Sometimes it seems like the majority is all thinking the same thing, “I don’t want this to come back on me”. Then everyone
says nothing and does nothing. The thought on the bonus program was more about the fact that the President of the horsemen’s association
thought it didn't matter that much. I’m very pleased that the board disagreed. I would like to see the bonus program changed to pay everyone
eligible in a race and not just be performance based. As far as my comments on Gabe, there is POTENTIAL for a conflict, but I hope he is never
put in a position that could compromise his employment by either the KHHA or The Red Mile. Everyone needs to follow Eddie’s lead and get the
word out about our state legislatures. The May 18 primary is fast approaching and is as important in some districts as the general election will be
in November. One last thing, The Red Mile has to work with the KHHA for the future of horse racing in our state. We are not enemies but there
has to be GIVE and take, not just take.
Tom LaMarra - Lexington Ky
- I'll pass on advice I've given the Thoroughbred industry, which in Kentucky at least is in far better shape: Blow it up and rebuild it. ... I don't know
what you'd do with Kentucky harness racing, which is way worse off, but if anyone thinks the status quo is OK; that the situation is hopeless; or
that the relationship between the KHHA and The Red Mile isn't too cozy, they should probably get out of the business and turn it over to people
who want to make a difference.
