In late October, thoroughbred owner Mike Repole announced the formation of what he is calling the National Thoroughbred Alliance. As reported by Bill Finley in the Thoroughbred Daily News, Repole said he hoped the group could solve “some of the sport’s problems and create growth” in an industry obviously in need of both. He went on to say: ”There isn’t anybody that has a vision for this sport. On top of no vision, there is also no strategy.”
Here is how he had refined that vision and strategy in remarks he made at last week’s Eclipse Awards:
“So I implore you, please … be selfless over selfish. That’s number one. [But} this is the most important message of the night: Let’s fucking compete in the racetrack. Outside the racetrack, let’s compete together for what’s best for this game. I love this fucking game.”
(The quote is from T.D. Thornton’s article in TDN on the Eclipse Awards. I substituted a certain word where he had used “expletive.”)
Now I understand that three months is not a lot of time to reform the industry, but Repole does not appear to have accomplished much. I am not aware that he has attracted any “allies’ to his Alliance. His two positive moves (if you can accept the term “positive”) are, in a typically humble step, naming himself “Commissioner,” and hiring Pat Cummings as Executive Director.
But that hasn’t stopped him from engaging in negative behavior despite his assertions that the latest alphabet organization would be “inclusive” to “get everybody to work together.” After the farcical stewards’ decision to disqualify Brick Ambush at Aqueduct, he called for Stuart Janney and Jim Gagliano of The Jockey Club to resign. Presumably this is because one of the three stewards is appointed by The Jockey Club even though my understanding is that the main steward is the Gaming Commission’s selection.
Then there was the bizarre tweet (or is it an “x”?) referring to all the non-equine “geldings” in the sport. It is only speculation on my part, but the Eclipse committee had just announced that Stuart Janney would get an Eclipse for his meritorious service to the sport.
I do not understand his apparent animus to The Jockey Club, perhaps the only organization that maintains wide approval and respect unless he thinks it stands in his way as a potential competitor. Or perhaps he is hoping to attract other allies such as the National Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association. But there may not be another group that has more thoroughly demonstrated its steadfast opposition to reform and embrace of the status quo than the NHBPA.
My first recollection of Repole was when he was complaining - loudly - that he could “only” get 50 tickets for the Kentucky Derby that year. That may not be what he means by selfish behavior considering that it is difficult for the non-elite among us to be able to get a single ticket.
The Eclipse Awards are the sport’s equivalent of the Oscars. This year featured the emotional award to Cody’s Wish as the Horse of the Year, with the late Cody Dorfman’s family being in attendance. It was one of those moments where horse racing transcends the sport itself and represents what can be so great about racing. It is unfortunate that Repole’s puerile rant detracted from an otherwise uplifting evening.
Perhaps Pat Cummings will be successful in getting his boss to focus on the important issues facing racing. But one thing racing does not need for its public face is yet another large ego discharged from the Borough of Queens.
Tom Noonan 