Can A New Association Work For Kentucky Horsemen?
5/17/10

    The thought of forming a new horsemen's association has been explored in the past. (In the late
    90's, the Red Mile, with the KHHA's signed approval, sold the Thoroughbred simulcasting rights to Keenland). At
    that time, the late Terry Tucker (then board member) and Jack Conway exercised the thought to
    create a new association. As they moved forward, board members and colleagues pleaded with
    them to drop the idea. The concern was what it may do to harness racing in the state.
    Eventually, out of pure respect, Conway and Tucker put their thoughts to rest. That was over
    ten years ago, and since then, some things have changed while other things have remained the
    same.

    Recently a current KHHA member contacted KyHarnessRacing.com to inform the public of a
    group that is making a quest to start a new organization; to be called the Kentucky United
    Horsemen's Alliance. Brian Loney, a lifelong Kentucky horseman stated, "Although the Kentucky
    United Horsemen's Alliance plans to in the near future, at this time no names are being made
    public. But I will say that it looks like there's going to be several people (members) that have
    racehorses." As the KUHA begins to put together an executive board of no more than 7, they
    will be on the lookout for board members on a continuing basis. It is to be an effective board
    made up with a spectrum of talents.

    "We want the board to be made up of people who aren't afraid to say no; who isn't afraid to
    vote for what they think is right; and who isn't afraid to let it's members know whats going on.
    The mentality of 'I will, if you will' has to end. It's not productive and it is getting us no where
    fast."

    In their latest meeting the KHHA board made the decision to accept The Red Mile's offer of
    eliminating 3 days of racing and taking $100,000 out of the purse account for the 2010 meet.
    The Red Mile's reason they gave the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission was that there was a
    shortage of horses. Keep in mind, the last few years The Red Mile has regularly had 18 to 20
    races a night. The only shortage with any merit at all, is the shortage of stake races. There is no
    way of knowing the number for overnights. In short, the horsemen should not be held
    accountable for The Red Mile's mistakes.

    Nobody knows what the future holds in horse racing for Kentucky. What we do know is, if any
    form of expanded gaming becomes reality, you will need to ask yourself: "Do you want people
    that are too incompetent to use the resources in front of them, making the decisions that affect
    your livelihood? Do you like being in the dark about everything?

    OR,  Would you rather have leaders that utilize all their resources? Do you like things to be more
    transparent?

    Some things never change. And there are times when new beginnings are absolutely necessary.
    Has that time come? Only time will tell.