It's About Time

Note:  If you are looking for my Meadowlands opening night selections, they may be found here.

It's about time New Jersey horsemen with the help of Freehold Raceway fight back and look out for their own interests by developing preference rules which favor them.  Usually I abhor such parochialism but when everyone else is stomping all over you with their own preference rules, there is a need to defend yourself.

For the next two years, during the peak season (when Pennsylvania and upstate New York tracks are closed) at the entry box, preference rules will be in effect to favor New Jersey horsemen and those who race regularly at Freehold.  For races with purses of $5,000 or less, preference will be given to horses that are NJ sired, NJ owned, or trained by New Jersey based trainers who have had at least fifteen starters during the an established time period at Freehold Raceway.  If a race is over filled, preference will be further given to horses who made two of their last three starts at Freehold.  Those who don't draw in because of the second preference will be given preference the next time they drop in the box provided they are entered in the same class.  For races with purses exceeding $5,000, preference will be given to those horses who made two of their last three starts at Freehold. 

Of course, with these preference rules comes responsibility.  With the welcome mat being pulled during the late fall - late spring calendar period, one should not expect scorned horsemen to flock to Freehold once other tracks open for the year.  Therefore, it is incumbent for these horsemen who are benefiting from these rules to support the Freehold program once other tracks open. 


Tattler's Jet made the New York Times two days running with his second place finish in the Au Revoir Race at Monticello Raceway.  This is the type of press racing should be getting. 


How many years has racing complained about offshore sites and ADWs taking racetrack's signals and making money on them without paying or paying little to the tracks and horsemen for their product?  Isn't it ironic how New Jersey horsemen and racetracks (along with the casinos) are looking to offer sports wagering to bolster their bottom lines without paying any commission to the sports leagues?  Just saying...