Our Christmas Wish List

On this Christmas Eve, we’ve created a list for Santa that we’re going to leave under the tree tonight, hoping he can grant these wishes for the wonderful sport of thoroughbred racing, which we have loved since the days when we were just a foal:

* For Monmouth Park to find a new owner that cares about carrying on its proud tradition, mindful of its historic past while promising to keep her sparkling as the true “Jewel of the Jersey Shore.”

* For Atlantic City Racecourse to get cleaned up, fixed up, and run more than just a handful of days not only in 2012, but in the future.  It’s obvious that fans in South Jersey want it to happen, judging from the outstanding attendance figures the last few years.

* For Parx Racing to make a concerted effort to market and promote horse racing and not just the casino.

* For there to be less reliance on slot revenues to sustain thoroughbred racing, and more revenue from pari-mutuel wagering. We realize we’re asking a lot here, Santa, but see what you can do.

* For there to be sunny skies and warm breezes every day of the 2012 Saratoga season.

* For the sport to continue the trend of making available to the public not only statistics and data about horses and races, but rulings and disciplinary actions taken against owners, trainers and jockeys. Transparency is vital in attracting new fans and keeping the old ones.

* For the sport to develop a foolproof way to detect and punish those horsemen who rely on blood-doping agents (such as Micera®) to win races. Not only are they ruining the health of their horses, but their blatant cheating is destroying whatever confidence the public may have had in the honest outcome of races.

* And as part and parcel to the above, let’s phase out the use of Lasix, as it is used to hide and mask a multitude of illegal substances and treatments.

* Finally, let’s hope that there are far fewer unwanted, abandoned and forgotten thoroughbreds in 2012, as their numbers have swelled disturbingly high as owners and breeders leave the game due to disinterest or financial distress.  May Santa reward all those who have worked tirelessly and unselfishly throughout the past year to help them.

Happy holidays from Pennsylvania Thoroughbred!