Not Too Big to Fail - By Eric Mitchell

re: Not Too Big to Fail - By Eric Mitchell

tenmd — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:15:04 GMT

Fact is, it is actually probably too late to save racing and breeding in KY. The exodus of mares to NY has begun and the stallions will soon follow. Even if KY were to magically approve expanded gaming today, it would be years before we could catch up with NY and our surrounding states to reverse the trend. Sad, but true. I would like to thank Steve Beshear and Damon Thayer for their efforts and I will withhold any comments regarding Sen. Williams and Kerr.

re: Not Too Big to Fail - By Eric Mitchell

Anne — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:28:51 GMT

Excellent article with excellent analogies Eric. The hypocritical conservative bent against the evils of gambling is absolutely nauseating. The Lottery, as Dave Ramsey (fine Christian that he is) likes to say, only serves as a vehicle for "poor people to fund rich kids' education". It's okay for our citizens to WASTE their hard-earned dollars on the Lottery, but not take a chance (with better odds I might add) at a casino, which they're clearly doing anyway if they want to, they just have to drive across a border to do it. Unbelievable how a collective can put their brains together and not come up with an intelligent thought.

re: Not Too Big to Fail - By Eric Mitchell

MikeM — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:06:21 GMT

It doesn't matter what is good for the industry.It only matters what is good for the political party that is in power.

re: Not Too Big to Fail - By Eric Mitchell

FavoriteSunday — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:14:43 GMT

It is a travesty that so many residents of KY are oblivious to the rapidly declining number of horses for which KY is known. I have so many friends and family unrelated to the industry and they are completely unaware. You would think the state senate would be concerned about, if nothing else, the state revenue lost on stud fees. I would love to see that declining number what the stud fees dropping and stallions leaving. Will they care when Keeneland turns into The Red Mile and has to hope for social functions to keep it's doors open? Or Churchill Downs? Standardbreds have one day of top level racing in KY during a two week meet. Will KY end up only having one as well on the first Saturday in May... will the state senate and the general KY population care then? If chickens are now the number one Ag crop in KY, I just can't see that providing the same tax revenue and jobs in KY. I keep hoping expanded gambling in KY will come to be but each time it just gets worse. Well said article and many more like it are needed to reach the non-horse population.

re: Not Too Big to Fail - By Eric Mitchell

Pghfans — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:02:42 GMT

The excuses used are as pathetic as the ones used in Maryland. The politics are such that a Republican majority will not give slots to the Democratic Governor. We had the same here in Maryland, just reversed. When we got a Democratic Gov, the Dem majority all of the sudden "saw the light". Politics and politicians ruin anything they touch.

As for Carroll voting against his constituents, it happens all the time. Once in office, they could care less about constituents or their thoughts.