Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Sunny Farm — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 04:28:22 GMT

Hello Again ! I forgot to mention the BLOGS ! It may be fun to print some of the blogs that get a lot of attention now and then.

(Like ZENYATTA , the Eclispe award debates...LIFE AT TEN....) I know that I, and many others sure enjoy responding on-line !Thanks for having the blogs and thus readers thoughts on the on-line issue. It is like being invited in.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Convene — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:59:44 GMT

My subscription will be on its way shortly. Yes, I like the online newsletters but I save my print issues because they provide an ongoing history of our sport - where we are, where we're going and how we got to both places. I can't bind and keep a virtual document. Besides, I'm old fashioned; I love the feel and smell and look of the printed page! Hard times have made the magazine a little thin these days, but hard times will probably get less hard - and more of the old stuff will hopefully return. Publishing is so expensive these days ... I wish the Blood Horse continuing success. This long-time reader is very happy with the product.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

kM — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:29:02 GMT

BLOODHORSE: THE BIBLE !

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Joanne — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:57:17 GMT

I've been a subscriber for 15 years but have not yet renewed for this year. I'm trying to decide if I should. Magazine is very thin and I can find race results on line. Do enjoy in the magazine articles on traniing sires offspring. Maybe it needs to become a every other week magazine. If I could find it on a newstand here in Mpls area I would buy for special issues. Delivery used to be horrible for me up here but has seems to have straightened in the last couple of years. Although I am still waiting a Stallion Register from 1981.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Lethal Grande — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:47:02 GMT

I discovered the TB racing world when I found The Bloodhorse in a used magazine shop. The Bloodhorse created the fan I am today. This publication has been my guide and teacher as I learned about pedigrees, breeding farms, tracks, horses, trainers, owners. The background I accumulated gave me the courage to walk into my local track clubhouse and learn about betting, to see the athletes and feel the ground quake when the gate opens. The Bloodhorse has been the key that unlocked the door to the world of thoroughbred racing. I've been to breeding farms in Kentucky, The Breeders Cup and even stood in the winners circle as an honorary owner. I'm just one person, but I've brought people with me on this journey and I've shared the "Key" with all of them. Keep the pictures, stories, and reporting so I can hold it all in my hand and place it into the hands of another aspiring fan.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Marla Bickel — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:57:13 GMT

Thank you to everyone who has responded. You've given us some great ideas and pointed out some items that we will review.

Please keep submitting your suggestions! Your feedback will shape the future of the magazine.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Sandra in Lexington — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 23:14:54 GMT

Every Wednesday, I run to my mailbox to see who is on the cover of BloodHorse magazine! I've been a subscriber for the last few years. In the past, I've just read horse racing information on blogs, websites, Twitter, and Facebook posts. Nothing can compare to the experience of having a magazine in hand, turning the slick pages, and discovering an awesome photograph, advertisement, and spotlights on the breeders, owners, fan comments, and of course, horses. Some weeks are a little slimmer than others, but I am NEVER disappointed in the content. This year, I received a 2 for 1 invitation and took advantage of it for a good friend who will appreciate it just as much as me. Thank you, BloodHorse, for all that you do to keep the public informed. I'm a true fan forever!

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

JWells — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:53:27 GMT

The last couple of years the magazine has been pretty sparse and mine doesn't always arrive on a weekly basis. I always enjoyed the foal patrol--photos of foals from famous breedings. Would it be possible to resume those?

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

luckylad — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:31:50 GMT

I think the Blood-Horse played a pivotal role in my eventual lot in life. Back in the 60's I would take 3 public service busses at age 14 just to buy a copy of it. I remember going off to college in 1970 with a stack of Blood-Horses I kept under my bed. I would hate to see the day this publication ceased to exist. Whatever the formula was then worked for me. Stay true to your roots!

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

tanza — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:36:35 GMT

One thing that I love to see is in the results section who the winner's dam's have been bred to and what they have produced. I would love to see more focus on offspring from many of the top broodmares.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

UCLinden — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:18:54 GMT

There are some very good comments stated -- but good comments and suggestions seem to fall on deaf ears; so much so , it's like , why even bother ??

I can remember the days when my dad would take me with him to Garden State Park in New Jersey, I remember those good ole days and the horses back then. I remember watching the racing program on TV on Saturday afternoons. What am I getting to, well - back then horse racing WAS about the " little guy - the fan ". It was a fun time for ALL, you actually couldn't wait until you went back to the track.

Today, thats all gone, the horse racing industry has focused on the other end of the spectrum , and lost sight of our roots. Sometimes you feel like that commercial of the Indian Chief as he was shedding a tear.

Why is it , any other sport embraces their fans & builds their fan base, while the horse racing industry embraces everything else BUT the fan; is it any wonder why this great sport of yesteryear is in the position it is now !

Sorry folks, sometimes you just have to get things off your chest and say it as you see it.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Rachel — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:41:15 GMT

You guys are really generous with the website info.

How can we help you?

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

PGJ — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:31:41 GMT

I will renew. However, I would like to echo earlier posts that begged for more investigative stories. With the internet age, most readers have already read race recaps. While they are important, more human interest stories would be a plus. Maybe a "where are they now." I also miss the 2 page wonderful photos.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Old Warhorse — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:41:46 GMT

It's about the horse. The ones running now, the ones we love that are now breeding the future runners, and those new babies that will be running soon.

Nice to know about gambling,sales, products. Not as necessary as the horse.

Interesting to visit breeding farms, training centers, vet clinics, but not as interesting as the horse.

Please cover the sales -- less emphasis on the statistics, more information about the horse -- pedigree (4x at least) who now owns him, where he will run, what is his potential?

There is no business without the horse. No sales, vets, farms, bets, vans, grooms, racetracks.

It's all about the horse.

btw -- I let my subscription lapse about two years ago when I found I paged through the book without really reading much. I just sent in my request to renew a few days ago. I believe in the future. Reader, from a news stand, since I was about 9. Subscriber since I became an adult.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Lindsey S — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:05:52 GMT

I love my magazine, and always look forward to reading it. I do agree a lot of things can be accessed on the website, but I still enjoy the magazine, also. I don't understand the comments about a bias towards East and Midwest. I'm pretty sure Zenyatta has been on at least 8 or 9 covers, and I know Lookin at Lucky has made the cover, and hasn't Richard's Kid? What about Lava Man? Those have all been within the last year or two, and I'm sure I'm leaving some out. Anyway, I love my Bloodhorse.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

james f. webb — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:36:35 GMT

I've read the Bloodhorse through three masthead changes-almost fifty years. It still has the flaws it had in the beginning. As others have written, it is the voice of old money . . . and of the The Jockey Club . . . as well as the Kentucky breeding industry. Until I came to my senses I wanted to become a public trainer. What I learned in those long-ago years left me too wise to risk even $2.00 at the windows. Like me, millions of bettors grew weary of watching the odds on an unbettable horse plunge while the field was about to be loaded in the gate and then watching the unbettable horse's connections steal their bet. Where was the Bloodhorse on this critical issue of integrity?

Many years ago former editor Joe Estes did a study on "nicking". Mr. Este's study found what most 100-plus IQ individuals know, "nicking" is snakeoil. Now the Bloodhorse sells the service. About forty years ago I submitted a classified ad trying to buy a couple of yearlings on the cuff. The Bloodhorse refused to accept my ad. The reason given? They were afraid the breeder might not get paid for the horses. This misplaced over-zealous protection of the Kentucky industry is reflected today in failure to crusade for a Jockey Club that allows AI. Don't the folks at the Jockey Club know what happened when the AQHA was sued for violation of Federal Restraint of Trade Law? AI would hurt some who board broodmares but maybe its time to look out for the folks who buy broodmares and pay stud fees rather than those who make their living selling "lost" halters and phantom farrier, dental and vet services.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Rory — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:30:28 GMT

Blood-Horse is the top No.1 magazine, that enables me to increase my knowledge and staying abreast relating to horseracing. One is able to know the past, present and what is likely to be in the future. It is really an invaluable and very interesting magazine to anyone who indulges in horseracing, as breeders, owners,trainers, jockeys etc.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Greg R. — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:17:21 GMT

The time has come you quit promoting the trainers with 20 plus positives, they and the horses they train for clients who look the other way till it is picture time. Make a new future any trainer has 10 or more positive tests, his or her name will never be printed in your magazine again, or the horses they train or their owners. It is time to expose these folks for the cheaters they are. In fact maybe have a section in your magazine that lists all positives for the week, on a trainer by trainer list, print how many positive tests they have accumulated to date.. but truly you do not have the courage to do this, do you?

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Bill K — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:06:46 GMT

Cultivate the horse racing fan better. Here are three suggestions.

1) Regularly publish a list of division leaders based upon a point system. This would allow everyone to keep score and see how their favorite horses are doing. (See my Final Turn article, www.bloodhorse.com/.../crowning-champions)

2) Institute a Blood Horse Fan Voted "Horse of the Year" award. Each registered reader could get one vote. Registration could be free but may enable readers to access additional content for a fee. Give connections of winning horse a Trophy. If 100,000 fans each contribute $0.10, you could buy a nice trophy.

3) Help fans share photographs. Many of us fans regularly photograph our favorite horses but there is no platform for sharing these images. Help us work through the legal issues so that we can share these images with each other.

The internet opens up a tremendous opportunity for fans to more directly participate in Horse Racing. The Blood Horse is uniquely positioned to cultivate this relationship. We just need to work together to grab the reins and go for it.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

sceptre — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 04:17:01 GMT

I very much enjoy the ?ongoing series of articles dealing with trainers' comments on the progeny of indiviual stallions. Also, the more we can hear (in depth) from trainers about their trainees, the better. Who shows promise, and why, is information hard to obtain, and is useful-not for me as a wagering tool-, but as a breeder.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

hermantims — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 02:38:14 GMT

The bloodhorse is so small that I can read it cover to cover in ten minutes. I love the magazine, but it's not a very good value anymore. I don't know if I'll renew.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Clyde — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 01:52:46 GMT

Here is an idea!!!!!! why don't you let us comment on EVERY article? Like Fox News...or is that tooooooo liberal for you Blue bloods?

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

annie — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:25:23 GMT

I've always loved the Blood Horse and couldn't wait to get it. But, lately, not so happy with it. I can read cover to cover in less than a half hour, pretty thin.

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

Mindy C. — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:07:49 GMT

I have been a subscriber since 1985, the year Spend a Buck won the Derby. I love your magazine and will always continue to be a subscriber. Maybe some more information on former racehorses could be written, or how ''us'' as subscribers could find out about their whereabouts... We all love them all... Please keep the magazine as I love it...

re: Balancing Past, Present, and Future - By Marla Bickel

ZJ — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:03:32 GMT

The Blood Horse for me is my top source to the horse racing world, being fron Canada and more particularly Northern AB, it is hard to even get the proper coverage.

On that note, thank you to the Blood horse staff as I had stopped in when I visited Kentucky for the first time this past October - November prior to going to the Breeders Cup races and what a great environment and it was absolutely a blast. Thank you so much to those who took time out of their day to see me! It was awesome for me!

I will be a subscriber for years to come. Thank you!