Startling Revelations:
How Homer Simpson Hit the Nail on Harness Racing’s Head
4/27/10 By Kenneth W. Terpenning for KyHarnessRacing.com
How Homer Simpson Hit the Nail on Harness Racing’s Head
4/27/10 By Kenneth W. Terpenning for KyHarnessRacing.com
- According to Homer Simpson (the actual Matt Groenig cartoon character and not this website’s version), “With
$10,000, we'd be millionaires!” As sad as it sounds, this is the exact mentality of some Kentucky horsemen
and women today. What I mean by that is, the simple fact of the matter that most of us in the racing industry
would be thrilled and feel like millionaires if we only had two nickels to rub together, let alone $10,000.
- Homer Simpson has also said, “Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.” How true is this
statement? Some horsemen and women do understand the situation our industry is in and they simply do not
care enough to do anything about it.
- People have stopped caring enough to make a difference and the “every man or woman for themselves”
mentality has only hurt the industry.
Some of us want change for the industry and to see better days. The problem is people go their own way
instead of banning together like our predecessors did. This individuality causes things to fall apart and certain
key players take advantage of the situation.
Another insightful quote by Homer J. Simpson states, “Son, if you really want something in this life, you have
to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers.”
When people talk about what will save Kentucky Racing, ever notice it is NOT the hard work ethic and
mentality that will get the job done? No…the answer is slots and casinos or betting on old race replays. So, in
other words, we need to hit the lottery to save our sport?? That sounds like a good plan (and why not.....just
the mere thought of hitting the lottery has been working for Homer Simpson for years) since getting slots, at this
point, has about the same odds as winning Powerball (1 in 196 MILLION!!!).
Homer, the genius that he is goes on to say,
“If you don't like your job you don't strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the
American way. If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing.”
This speak volumes when it comes to our politicians. They all seem to pass the frivolous, useless crap and
avoid budgets and bills like expanded gaming that would actually do some good for Kentucky.
Lastly, Homer offers sage advice that he lives by and it seems to ring true for our horsemen, women and our
elected officials.
Homer says, “I want to share something with you. The three little sentences that will get you through life:
Number 1. Cover for me. Number 2. Oh, good idea, Boss! Number 3. It was like that when I got here.
Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals! Except the weasel.”
Wow…goes to show us all that Homer Simpson really does understand Kentucky politics and racing.
Perhaps we can all do the opposite of what Homer suggests and actually accomplish something to save our
industry. We can no longer sit idly by, say things are okay status quo, make deals for the industry that do not
make sense (like giving money away to tracks just to have race dates) and avoid holding our elected
politicians and KHHA board members accountable for their actions or inactions. We cannot look the other way
when actions or judgments are questionable.
It is not okay to allow conflicts of interest just because it was okay before. It is these things that have driven
this sport into the ground and affected our integrity and political clout.
By going back to the basics like hard work, standing up for what we believe in, not relying on others to get the
job done, working together instead of individually and actually wanting things to change for the better instead
of asking for more of the same we can save harness racing’s future so our kids and grandkids can enjoy it as
we all have throughout our lifetimes.
I will give Homer credit for one thing…he speaks his mind and that is more than we can say about most of us.
With those thoughts out there, I wish to congratulate our new Executive Secretary, Mr. Gabe Prewitt. Gabe is
one person that operates the opposite of Homer Simpson.
Some of you know I also applied for the position because I was asked by several members. I also applied for
the position because I am a firm believer in change for our industry and I am very passionate about our sport.
As I pointed out earlier, our attitudes must change and our technology, marketing and representation must
move into the 21st Century. If not, we are doomed to fail. I was hoping that if I was not chosen for the
position that someone young and energetic would get it.
Gabe Prewitt is a fan of harness racing first and foremost, he understands and has good knowledge in the
technological world, he is an owner, a track announcer/publicity director, a former mutual clerk, and a college
graduate. Most importantly for the horsemen and women and our beloved sport, Mr. Prewitt is young (26 yrs
old I believe), energetic and a proponent for change and he cares about what happens to our industry. I wish
Gabe all the best in the position and extend an offer of my assistance to him if he should require any. I hope
you all can and will do the same.
