Commissioner

I figure if some people can turn their position of power into a puppet storage closet (relax you repubs I'm thinking Putin), well than I might as well run for a phony office. Add in, I'm totally bored with everything that's going on in every aspect of the world and I can't think of a better time to be a blow hard about what's wrong with everything. If elected to Commissioner of Horse Racing: Oh, wait first I should link to how I think this power could really come to be. There you go. Ok, if elected Commissioner of Horse Racing this is what I'd do: Sensible racing season - plotting out the major races, Gr I's, and working backwards to grade the preps accordingly. There would be a nice balance between all races and categories. Yes, the amount of 3yo black type will be cut. Work with racing secretaries to make sure not too many same-type races overlap, I'm thinking of you early August and your slew of 3yo derbys. Create Saturdays modeled after the BC with a Graded Stake in each category being run somewhere in the country. Two hour show packaged for TV. That would help get people motivated to cooperate on get on TV. More precise graded stakes - Gr I, II, III, also carry points to create standings. Won't compete with the Eclipse as the Eclipse is more of an MVP award. Purse floors and caps put on Graded Stakes - Purses just aren't the motivation they once were, and no one wants to be the first mover in area like this (think the NHL and salaries a few years back). I would have caps and floors to allow a little discretion and give 1 or 2 exemptions to every track. This would give a lot back to everyone's bottom line and help the secretaries create some new stakes for turf sprints and marathon dirt races or whatevever other crazy crap the BC comes up with. If you think a $200,000 diff in some stakes are keeping these horses running in the first place, I admit you are entitled to your opinion, but unfortunately your opinion is wrong. Ladies' Day will be the Friday BC day - F&M sprint, F&M Turf, Distaff, would anchor the racing while national and local charities are given retail space on the grounds. There would be a female Grand Marshall of the day who helps emcee the races and who gives a keynote speech to kick off the day. New Media and Revenue - Reality show based on the 3 week run up between the Preakness and Belmont focusing on top 3 finishers of each race. (Owners get money for committing to show). Help advertisers connect with our owners, sponsorship on saddle cloths (not silks) for an entire stable no matter where they run. The TV show I talked about early would start in July with standings already in place. Why July? There is absolutely nothing going on in sports in July. Standard Drug Rules - No drugs allowed for horses or people. Anything weird like, I don't know, venom in your barn and you are banned and allowed to transfer horses to assistants for the time of the investigation. If it turns out you can't prove that it wasn't yours you are banned and horses have to be dispersed. Lifetime bans would be commonplace and forfeiture of winnings over a given time period would be levied. Whole purses would be redistributed, that should get the owner's attention. Allow jocks to unionize and help them get group insurance - A LOT easier said than done, but I'd work on it. Maybe have them be employees of the racing congress that gave me the power in the first place. New Tote System - No new bets, but bets will have a new look. Want to know what your pick-4 will pay before the 1st leg, no problem, it's only math for crissake not nuclear fission which is what these a-holes make it out to seem. Odds won't change after the bell rings. I will work with Congress to allow for market type betting platforms where one can take and lay odds. Rebates for big bettors, but I'd help get even bigger rebates for whales who show up on-site. No more slots - I'm open to table games, and I like sports betting (C'mon Delaware, why did Oregon give up, way to go NJ you blew it 30 years ago), but one armed bandit pullers and horse players shouldn't be kept within the same four walls. 6 week hiatus - Listen everyone knows if you're not working you're not making money, but if it's worsening your product then the affect it has is negative not positive. After the Nov 15th see you January 1st. Allows for conferences, secretary meetings, real accounting, and gives everyone a breather. There that's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure people have more ideas. Go ahead and run for phony-commissioner, leave your platform in the comments.