Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

realdeal — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:14:53 GMT

Obviously I came down too hard on you before, since my blog wasn't published. If you feel I did, I apologize. I just wanted you and the others who have made negative comments to know part of the other side of the coin....at least the part that I have heard....that Miller only actually had the horse for approximately 15 days, but I see someone else has already covered it. My source didn't know what the arrangements were, but that Mr. McCarthy reciprocated by assisting him with his horses(in addition to paying him).(That's probably where the grooming comment came in.)

No doubt Mr. Miller is a nice man and clearly loves his horses and his work, but he is not being very nice about this. The trackside people at Churchill I am sure will tell you that Mr. McCarthy would never send his horse to Florida if he had any kind of ailment. I have been told he treats his horses like babies.

It seems to me to be a big misunderstanding of some sort and should be settled by these two gentlemen and not us...but since this has been brought up it seems inevitable that some of us would come to Mr. McCarthy's defense.

This is not good for the thoroughbred industry either. There is already too much negativism around horse racing.

This response is not just about M & M, it is also about ordinary hard working people who still believe in dreams! Please don't take that away from us or make something ugly out of it when it is not.

Everyone should think for themselves, form their own opinions and not be so easily influenced by what they see in print...don't be so quick to judge...just give each person the benefit of the doubt...and hope for the best. If God judged us like we judge each other we would be in big trouble!

Someone once said & it sounds pretty good to me:

I don't believe anything I hear,

and only half what I see!

I wish everyone well...and thanks for letting me get my 2 cents worth in.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Matthew W — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:52:34 GMT

Travis I made a bit of cash on Gen Quarters--I had boxed Hold Me Back with Massone and at the last min I played The General on top of them both and got a nice exacta! I just thought he looked awesome on the track--BTW I also thought the TVG coverage was ten times better than the ESPN coverage--They really "pulled me in" to the race and Gen Quarters delivered a big win!

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

ridinhigh — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:45:23 GMT

I agree completely.Thank you for your candor.I do not know the gentlemen involved personally but felt someone should attempt clarification due to several negative comments.Hopefully all will work out for the best.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Steve Haskin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:20:47 GMT

I will mention this one last time. I have spoken to McCarthy and we had a good conversation. He explained his version, and when I told him I would tell his side of the story he told me not to. He said he didnt want to escalate it and wanted to let it die. I told him I would abide by his wishes. I also told him of his quotes in DRF and the Louisville Courier and other publications stating "I came down to Florida and became his groom and hotwalker. Mark and I work as a team." Based on McCarthy's own quotes, Miller obviously was more than an observer. McCarthy is the one who put the horse in Miller's name and now regrets it. He explained he made a mistake saying that about being the groom and hotwalker and it was taken out of contest. I gave Miller the opportunity to tell his side of the story after the race, because I already had public quotes from McCarthy stating that he was the groom and hotwalker and the two were a team. I also talked to the stakes coordinator at Tampa and he said he never even saw McCarthy. It was Miller who was always in the racing office entering the horse and deal with the racing secretary. The bottom line is, there was nothing inflammatory in the slightest against McCarthy, only Miller talking about what he did with the horse. Perhaps both are wrong and right in their own way. McCarthy wants to let it die, so thats what we should do.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

ridinhigh — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:55:13 GMT

I would like to clarify a few facts regarding the McCarthy issue. According to several of my acquaintances close to the situation in Florida there was a reciprocal agreement between Mr.McCarthy and Mr. Miller regarding the care of both mens horses.Mr. McCarthy actually assisted Mr.Miller with his horses in exchange for the same favor. General Quarters was under Mr. Miller's tutelage for approximately 15 days, not a month, not 2 months, and certainly not 3 months. During this 15 day period Mr.McCarthy was relaying instructions via phone to Mr. Miller. Upon Mr.McCarthy's arrival in Florida, he returned the favor by assisting Mr. Miller with his horses. However, Mr. Miller not only failed to disclose this agreement in his complaints but also actually failed to acknowledge Mr.McCarthy's training assistance and actually negated Mr. McCarthys assistant and training to a "groom" capacity.I would hope that this side of the story will prompt reassessment of the original story.I simply can not stand by and watch and elderly gentleman be judged on incorrect information and propaganda. This is not the Salem Witch Hunt.I also hope that Mr. McCarthy ,his friends,and family are not aware of this hoopla.It has turned into "much a do about nothing". Mr.McCarthy does not deserve the negative publicity.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

sophiekea — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:26:38 GMT

Coldfacts, I agree with you on Summer Bird. He was the most impressive in my eyes. I will be looking for him at Belmont in June. He gets no respect. Just like Birdstone is getting no respect as a stallion. Birdstone has had some good runners in his first crop. And they sold for very little. Talk about return for your money.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

ColetteMarie — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:19:56 GMT

Ridinhigh, I agree with everything you have said about Mr. McCarthy & I will be beyond thrilled if General Quarters wins the Derby. I was so excited watched him win the Blue Grass on Saturday. Yes, Mr. McCarthy deserves this wonderful experience 1000% He has sure put in the time & truly loves his horse & I believe would do anything for him. But, from what I have read about Mark Miller, he put his heart & soul into training Gen, Quarters in the 3 months he had him in his barn, leading up to the Sam Davis. All I am saying is, "Isn't there room for both Mr. McCarthy & Mark Miller to experience the Derby, shoulder to shoulder?" I don't think it is petty to want this wonderful story to be completely free of any clouds. Wouldn't it be just as wonderful of a story if M.Miller & Mr. McCarthy stood shoulder to shoulder . I hate to see people's feelings hurt. Why can't both of them experience this once in a lifetime experience, together. I want to feel good about the WHOLE story. I don't want to be thrilled for Mr. McCarthy and feel bad for Mark Miller all at the same time. That is what I am frustrated about. This is not a case of an owner switching trainers. It is about 2 trainers (one also an owner) who worked together with each other. It is about one of those trainers offering to take the other's one horse to Florida with him when he brought his own horses down, to give that horse a chance to run in some good races. It is not petty to be thrilled for Mr. McCarthy but want him to take M. Miller along with him on this once in a lifetime experience.

ColetteMarie

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Kat — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:13:44 GMT

I do so agree with you about Papa Clem. I was going to comment about this after the Ark Derby. He showed the same tenaciousness holding off Terrain for second in LA and went mano a mano with Old Fashioned down the stretch in Ark. We'll never know how much OF was compromised by his knee in that stretch battle, and regardless, Old Fashioned demonstrated his class there too. Papa Clem may not be "brilliant", but that "DO NOT PASS" sign that he has in his toolbox is worth a lot.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Ocala Dee — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:53:25 GMT

Mark Miller is not only a very competent trainer but a caring compassionate one also. He can often be seen at his stall doors in deep conversation with his charges!

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

da3hoss — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:35:38 GMT

I used Summer Bird for the tri (my second tri that weekend!) I loved how he looked, a total athelete and the way he was moving down the backstretch was exciting...I'm sorta happy they are not running him in the Derby...happy for him they are putting him first...

I wish I could see a heads on view of him in the race...his action looked clean from the side...I always feel if you have a flaw in your stride you have to be that much better than everyone to make up for the inevitable inefficiency.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Coldfacts — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:03:15 GMT

Karen2'

Do you remember Pyro? He was so impressive he rocketed to the #1 in every top ten. When a good horse is running against an over matched group he will always look impressive. Dunkirk looked impressive until he met his match in Quality Road. To conclude that a horse is more impressive because the pace of a race was slow does not make much sense for the following reasons. If a horse misses the break in a sprint race where the fractions are expected to be fast, he has not chance of winning against horses of his caliber i.e, Henny Hughes in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. If Henny Hughes was running against an over matched group who were setting slow fractions, his superior speed would compensate for the ground lost at the start. Because the Breeders Cup field was comprised of top class sprinters, he had no chance of winning because their speed was consistent with his. The rider on IWR was able to relax because the pace was so slow. If he was running against Quality Road who is a can run 46 on his bridle it would be a totally different horse race. Horses with superior pace can always give up ground to lesser company but to their peers. Summer Bird didn’t have the luxury of relaxing. In fact when he arrived at the top of the stretch the pace quickened so he had to find extra. When IWR entered the stretch horses were backing up on him. I implore you review the races again with an open mind.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Coldfacts — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:35:07 GMT

GunBow,

I understand the points you are making. However, I think you have missed the real point I was making. Pace makes the race. Flat Out walk out of the gates in the Southwest and the half mile was run in 46 plus. He was a distance last. If the half mile in the Wood was run in 46 plus how far back do you think IWR would? Do you think Talamo would be able to relax and play catch up? The answer is no. He would have to use IWR to get into contention. To conclude that a quality colt is exceptional because he misses the break and tracks extremely slow fractions and win is exceptionally ridiculous. Summer Bird faced a faster and better field than IWR. He was 15L last following a 46 half mile. He was making his third start. IWR was at best 5 -6 lengths back tracking a 48 half mile. IWR was making his eight start. He defeated a graded stakes winner and three graded placed colts. Have you any idea how fast Summer Bird had to run to get in to contention being so far back? Without fear of rebuttal it was significantly faster than IWR. GunBow, I have ever respect for your detailed analysis but I believe you are devaluing Summer Bird’s performance. I will prove just how much you are off on this one. When IWR made his third start it was in a maiden special at 6F where he finished third to colt that has not been on the derby trail. How can you think that IWR and this horse should not be compared? Ordinary horses do not do what SB did on Saturday and with a little more experience he drop on IWR like a ton of bricks.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

zarvona — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:03:47 GMT

I admit, that I for one applauded T. McCarthy 'and connections' after his first victory, noting then he was well on his way to the required earnings, (little did we know that that win way back then was probably enough earnings!). I also stated, 'and connections'. To me, M. Miller thusly then fell in that category of 'connections' and therefore he deserves his due. I hope they are both still friends after all this hoopla and that there is some continued sharing of accolade among them both in regard to this horse's future successes. However, I for one see little hope of "General Quarters" (the 'National Velvet' storyline of the Derby and closely followed by "Win Willy") in the winner’s circle come May the 2nd.

Also, I identified 6 horses, and 9 horses, some 6 weeks ago that I thought were respectable enough and that I thought had a shot at the win in the 1 1/4 'dance', with that list having been made up of: "The Pamplemousse" (injured) and "Imperial Council" (falling to make earnings) having fallen out of that nine, while "Dunkirk" and "Papa Clem" joined in the list. Thusly, going in, my top 3 now are, and for sometime have been: "Quality Road"; "I Want Revenge"; and "Dunkirk", where following closely behind them are "Friesan Fire" & "Pioneerof the Nile"; with this bunch closely followed by "Chocolate Candy" & "Papa Clem". (Note to Dray, five of these began racing in California!, being a state you said had no chance in the Derby!)

Close behind the above list are: "Musket Man", with all followed by "Hold Me Back", "Win Willy", "General Quarters", and "Desert Party" potentially making up 'a dozen', if such a number is a requirement, although I see little chance of the last 5 really having but the tiniest of shots at reaching the winners circle.

And, as to the rest of those scrutinized, I think they will show up for little more than just being there for those of their owners and connections who want to rub shoulders, drink mint juleps, and so that they can list being at ‘the dance’ on their horse's resume for future interested breeders and buyers and not because they will be legitimate contenders!

And, hah, what a twist to now see Dray on the "Dunkirk" bandwagon after having bad mouthed this horse and his accomplishments for nearly all of the last 8 weeks ever since he won that first 1 1/8 allowance race way back when, when at that moment I stated “he was then in my top 5”!!! Thusly, GO ‘PRINCE VALIANT’, my “gray” pick for the Derby win, where someone once hinted it was a “gray’s” turn again in some discovered rotation to win THE 135th KENTUCKY DERBY!

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Paula Higgins — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:51:34 GMT

O.k. perhaps there is another side to this. I think both men are probably good people and love the horse. I hope Mr.McCarthy's battle with cancer is won and he is fully recovered. I wish the best for all connected to the horse. I hope everyone involved with getting the horse to this point gets proper credit.

Several years ago I wrote a book entitled A PASSION FOR PURSES (see Amazon.com). I am an expert in the field of antique purses. A person, who has since become a very close friend, donated her time taking pictures for the book and paying for them herself, getting other collectors to contribute, etc. She did alot of work for my book (which became our book). So, although I actually wrote the book, I made her a co-author and she received half of the royalties. The contract with the book company was originally mine alone. She was happy just to contribute pictures and have her collection in a published book. But it got to the point she was such an integral part of making the book as good as it was, I knew I needed and wanted to give her the proper credit. It was the right thing to do. I have never regretted it and gained a great friend in the process.

By writing this column Mr. Haskins, you have given Mark Miller credit for helping to make this horse a success and I think that is wonderful. I am happy for Mr. McCarthy as well. He will get to realize a dream at age 75 and after a significant illness.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Driftin Sage — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:51:15 GMT

I do believe a can of worms has been opened and let loose. Oh dear. Hope it can all be fixed.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

ridinhigh — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:03:42 GMT

I find it absurd that one side of a story regarding Mr.McCarthy vs Mr. Miller was published as being the absolute truth without regard for obtaining both sides of the story. I find it even more absurd and down right shameful that so many people would jump on an imaginary bandwagon to persecute this older gentleman/owner/trainer. The derby origins were not established with large conglomerate owners and etc.It began with one man, one horse..and shoveling a lot of manure. So why persecute and judge an older,one owner/trainer over incorrect facts and innuendos? This owner is a fine, honest,hard working human being who does not feel shoveling a little manure is beneath him. A lot of people could learn a lesson from this. Furthermore, As I read the article...are we all to realistically believe that Miller suddenly worked a miracle in this short period of time he was assisting his friend with this horse? Perhaps the success of the colt could also be attributed to the training and groundwork established by Mr. McCarthy previous to the colts short stint with Miller.Sounds to me like Mr.Miller is a self-advertising trainer..placing himself in the position for success if General Quarters wins, and at the same time be able to say --should a lose occur .." well, if I had trained him longer he would not have lost. Hmmm. seems to me Mr. Miller has placed himself in a win-win situation with his accusations and statements. Which, by the way, resembles a big pile of ..manure. In these difficult economical times, I would like to think the writer , Mr. Miller, and all those who have jumped on the proverbial accusatory bandwagon ..for attempting to destroy the creditability of a fine,honest,caring, horseman of many generations, and all of us who wish the best for both...and still believe dreams can come... true. More importantly...all of us need this type of wonderful, uplifting story to brighten our day.Practice fair journalism, and allow the smaller stables to compete without jealousy and petty miffs.Go with God Mr. McCarthy and stay strong,with the heart and soul of a thoroughbred, as evidently some people do not wish you to succeed! We should all admire this man and what he has done throughout his life.No one is perfect,mistakes are always made throughout life...that is how we all learn... do not destroy all our hopes and dreams with one sided articles and imaginary complaints by what seems to be petty people. Let this pony run!

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Karen2 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:10:35 GMT

thanks Gunbow. I just didn't recall any horses actually being named in Steve's Derby dozen that had career ending injuries. I also agree completely with your pace scenerio's listed above. As confusing as it may sound, it does make sense. I thought IWR race was that much more impressive because of the slow fractions. Technically you would think the other horses should have had energy in the tank at the end of the race and it should have been harder for IWR to pick them off methodically the way he did. furthermore he finished in style...getting faster. I truly feel IWR is a scrapper. He just seems to show some genuine toughness and the heart that seperates him from the boys.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

GunBow — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:09:05 GMT

karen2:

Thanks.

Actually, if my memory serves, it is not unusual at all to lose a couple(or more) contenders in the weeks leading up to the Derby. I started posting a few weeks ago that we had better prepare ourselves for some of these contenders being injured. Then, The Pamplemousse tore a tendon and now Old Fashioned has been retired. Unfortunately, another horse (or two) will likely be pulled from the race due to an injury or illness.

In 1991, Santa Anita Derby winner, Dinard and Wood winner, Cahill Road, both missed the Derby. Dinard had just defeated Best Pal in two consecutive races and was bed to get get a classic distance, while Cahill Road was a full brother to Unbridled and had won the Wood impressively although he was lightly raced. They would have been two of Derby favorites along with Strike the Gold, Best Pal,Fly So Free, and Hansel.

The following year, 1992, the top 2 finishers in the Santa Anita Derby were forced to miss the race due to injury or illness. Bertrando, 2nd in the Santa Anita Derby, had also run second to Arazi in the Breeders Cup Juvenile at Churchill and had won the Norfolk and San Felipe. Injured shortly after the SA Derby, Bertando returned at 4 and was Eclipse champion older horse. AP Indy, the SA Derby winner, made it all the way to the morning of the Derby before he came down with some cold/illness that forced trainer Neil Drysdale to scratch him. AP Indy would recover and win the Peter Pan, Belmont, and Breeders Cup Classic en route to Horse of the Year.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

GunBow — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:48:07 GMT

Coldfacts:

I think Summer Bird ran a good race in the Arkansas Derby, and you were spot-on to bring him up before the race. However, I don't quite understand your use of the fractions in the Arkansas Derby and Wood.

Isn't a faster pace supposed to ADVANTAGE closers like Summer Bird and I Want Revenge? Summer Bird faced a faster pace in the Arkansas Derby than IWR did in the Wood, thus the pace scenario of the Arkansas Derby was much more advantageous to Summer Bird than was the Wood pace scenario for IWR. The fact that the frontrunners in the Wood were able to set such a slow pace but IWR was still able to run them down made his win the more impressive of the two; if you add in all the trouble IWR had, I really don't think the comparison is apt.

Now, if Summer Bird and IWR were FRONTRUNNERS, your pace comparison would make sense. The pace for the Wood was much slower than the pace for the Arkansas Derby, so frontrunners were advantaged more in the Wood than in the Arkansas Derby. Had IWR been on the lead in the Wood, and cruised through such easy early fractions, I would agree that the performance deserves to be downgraded. In reality, IWR came from last, and had to face a disadvantageous pace scenario.

The horse most disadvantaged by the fast early pace in the Arkansas Derby was the horse setting that quick pace, Old Fashioned. The horses coming from the back, like Summer Bird, had an advantage with that quick early pace.

In general, frontrunners are advantaged and closers (IWR) disadvantaged by a slow early pace (Wood), while frontrunners are disadvantaged and closers (SB) advantaged by a fast early pace (Arkansas Derby).

Steve:

Could you chime in on this. Isn't it more impressive when a closer is able to close into a slow early pace, like I Want Revenge in the Wood, than when a closer is able to close into a fast early pace, like Summer Bird in the Arkansas Derby?

As a further point of comparison, I Want Revenge received a Beyer of 103 for his Wood, while Summer Bird was given a 97 for the Arkansas Derby. And IWR's 103 doesnt take into account the 4-7 lengths IWR lost at the start and when he was boxed and bumped at the top of the stretch. Furthermore, IWR WON his race while Summer Bird ran 3rd. I would think that should facor into the comparison as well.

While I think Summer Bird was advantaged by the fast early pace in the Arkansas Derby, I recognize that he did overcome 2 disadvantages:

1)Oaklawn was speed biased. Speed horses fared very well the past two weeks, particularly around 2 turns. Horses trying to close from as far back as Summer Bird were not doing well.

2) While the early pace of the Arkansas Derby was very quick, playing into Summer Bird's late run, the middle part of the race was slow, and thus hurt Summer Bird's late run. Old Fashioned went the first half in :46 flat, but was given a breather during the seond half, running it in only :50 and 3. As a result of this slow 2nd half split, Old Fashioned, as the frontrunner, was able to save something for the stretch, minimizing the impact of Summer Bird's late run. Had there been another horse to pressure Old Fashioned to run a :48 or faster second half mile, the horses close to the pace, including Papa Clem, probably would have been softened up enough that Summer Bird would have been able to run them all down and win the race. Because, in general, the faster the early pace the better it is for closers.

By writing that I am not as impressed with Summer Bird's Arkansas Derby as I am with IWR's Wood, I do not mean to imply that Summer Bird is not a quality runner. For, it appears Summer Bird has a bright future. The Arkansas Derby was only his 3rd start, and he improved about 20 Beyer points (10-12 lengths) from his 2nd start to the Arkansas Derby. He has excellent breeding, as Coldfacts pointed out, as he has both Derby winner Unbridled and Preakness winner Summer Squall in his pedigree.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

personalensign79 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:25:01 GMT

I agree with Ann and some others...I think some people are WAY overreacting!! My goodness, cut the man some slack and like I said before there are two (or more) sides to every story. We have many worse things going on in this sport right now (take a look at those Paragallo horses?!), this IS still a bright spot! Gooooo GQ!

p.s...love all of Steve's columns and books, not pointing this at him...just some of the harsh comments here.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Bill — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:28:31 GMT

I find this horse quite interesting. He has shown proficiency on poly and dirt and seems to be improving. Eibar Coa has a tough decision to make: Musket Man or General Quarters? Whom would you select?? Incidentally, it will be interesting to hear Mr. McCarthy's side of this story in the interests of fairness.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Larry Zap co-host race and sports radio — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:02:20 GMT

nice comments from Ann...i suffer from it, you suffer from it, hey we all suffer from it...what is it?

lets just say "it" is a sense of accomplishment, or being right, a job well done...the biggest reasons that "it" matters is that we spend a lifetime being humbled especially in the great game of thoroughbred horse racing...it's like that commercial when the kid hits a hole in one, but no one was around to see "it" and not until the old man shows up and tells him nice shot does he get that big smile on his face.

great horses are born and if anyone of us is fortunate enough to be connected to them...own them, train them, groom them, ride them, cheer for them, bet on them...it should be enough, but if others know about it...well then "it" just matters more.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Ann — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:36:25 GMT

I had seen/heard Mark Miller mentioned at least twice as the trainer of General Quarters when he was in Florida. I think everyone including Mr. McCarthy thought he did a fine job with the horse during that time. We can see how Mark Miller fell in love with the horse and has an emotional attachment to him.

Your article also said Mark Miller needed another stall in Florida.

Lets cut Mr. McCarthy a little slack. He is a 76 yr. old man who spent the winter fighting cancer. He may not have said exactly the words Mark Miller wanted to hear when Mr. McCarthy took back his horse. But I am sure Mr. McCarthy is very grateful to Miller.

Be proud that you did such an excellent job for a sick friend and a good horse. Now cheer them on!

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Cleone — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:58:56 GMT

Concerned American, big corporations (and small corporations and any other kind of business) don't HAVE any profits for their shareholders or owners if they don't keep their customers and consumers happy. Instead, they're out of business.

If ABC thought more people would tune in to watch horse racing than they do to watch golf, auto racing, baseball games, etc., they'd be airing horse racing. But apparently they believe they can attract more viewers through the events they do air. They aren't going to show horse racing just because it would make you and me happy, if it's going to make twelve other people change the channel.

I understand your point that it's a descending spiral - the major networks don't show much racing, so people don't watch it, so new people don't have an opportunity to become interested, so fewer people watch it... and maybe there's something that the powers that be in racing can do to get the spiral heading back up, I don't know.

I'm not rich, either, but some of my entertainment dollars are budgeted toward my cable package just so I get ESPN and can watch more racing. I give up some other things in my life so I can afford this small luxury. It's one of the free choices I have as an American.

re: Kentucky Derby Trail: It's Miller Time, Too

Travis L — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:56:36 GMT

Hey Draynay

How about the General, make any money.