Two recent articles both worth a read. One, by Andy Beyer, in the Washington Post, touches on the decline of the Maryland breeding industry (click here or here). The other, posted at Bloodhorse.com, (link here) reports that additional purse subsidies in NJ are on the way. Please hold on while I put on my party hat.
Beyer hits the nail on the head when he highlights the difference between breeder award programs in states like NJ, which do little more than perpetuate mediocrity in the breed, versus the Maryland program, which rewards breeders for breeding good horses by putting the bulk of its reward money in the stakes program. So, in NJ, crummy horses run for $50,000 purses day in and day out, but in Maryland, the crummy horses run for considerably less (as is appropriate) and the good ones vie for juicy stakes pots of $100,000 and up. The set-up requires the breeder to breed better horses, which is not only in the overall best interest of the breed, but also serves the longterm interests of the industry by rewarding those that breed talented, more durable horses through successive generations, as opposed to lesser stock which only further weakens the breed over time.
Don't try to make sense of the news coming out of NJ. I just find it ironic that an administration that prides itself on fostering sustainability would advocate a purse subsidy termed at three years. Say, for example, that you did throw a party at news of this latest development and made the decision that next year you were going to breed in NJ. This is how it would play out:
2008 (You): Buy mare. Send her to stallion (they make glorious love)
2008 (State): Year 1 of purse subsidy of trillions and trillions of dollars (you get nothing)
2009 (You): Mare has baby (hope for healthy foal and great baby gifts)
2009 (State): Year 2 of purse subsidy of trillions and trillions (still nothing for you)
2010 (You): Yearling learns to be a racehorse (many bills to be paid)
2010 (State): Year 3 of purse subsidy of trillions and trillions (you are waking up to the math now; it makes you cry)
2011 (You): Congratulations, your 2yo baby makes it to the races (pray for speed, soundness and normal disposition).
2011 (State): "Yes, can I help you?" Three-year purse subsidy is now long over. "What the f- are you looking at?" Run your horse for peanuts....
Some in Trenton view the situation as a zero sum game between racing interests and casino interests in Atlantic City, which I find absurd, particularly given the entertainment component developers are now fostering in AC, as well as the more telling fact that the same casino interests balking at slots in NJ are developing casino properties just next door in PA and NY. This piece in the Bergen Record kind of sheds some light on the prevailing thinking out of Trenton on a host of economic issues. I understand that statehouse staffers now dress like the blackjack dealers at the Borgata, which is probably not a good sign for racing...
If that last piece has you stressed, just re-read the Bloodhorse article, constantly remind yourself that help is on the way and know that the Breeders' Cup in NJ will make everything alright in your world, whether it's a bad back, troubles with your golf game or a boss that doesn't respect you. You'll sleep like a baby tonight, I swear.
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