A Look Back...Before We Forge Ahead

As the year comes to close, it’s important to look back and recognize the folks that had an impact upon the year as well as looking ahead at what I’d like to accomplish in 2014.  Today I will take a look back before taking a look forward in the next day or two.

First recognition has to go to the horses that graced the stable this past year.  The winners: Ask Eddy, Bourbonology; those that tried: Mundy, Elusive Edition; and the mother to be: Tabby Lane.  All are very special and while Mundy and Eddy have moved along and were part of the Canterbury Racing Club, Bobo and Ellie remain in our partnership stable and are wintering at Russ Rhone’s operation in Chaska, which is as good a place as any to start the human portion of the acknowledgements.

The Rhone family and extensions have been instrumental to any success we may have on the track.  From Russ breaking Ellie and getting her ready for racing (and getting Bobo ready for 2014) to Bernell and Cindy at the track getting them at the very best which helped us garner our first Maiden Special Weight victory with Bourbonology this past year to Rhone daughter LeAnn and her husband,  Dean Butler, who predominantly ride our girls in the morning and afternoons, respectively, are our most intimate connection to the equine athletes and their success in the afternoons can be attributed directly to their efforts - these folks are not only accomplished but some of the best people you’ll ever meet.

It was an honor to work with Clay Brinson for the first time.  The guy is magical and turned an overworked, undernourished horse into a multiple winner with his patience and ability.  To have a season where I was able to hang out in the Rhone and Brinson barns was an experience like no other and with Juan indulging Heather with time with Eddy (even though he got a little naughty - Eddy, not Juan), the time with the horses this season was tremendous.

At Canterbury, for me, it all starts and stops with Jeff Maday.  If Jeff didn’t indulge a goofy blogger five years ago, I’m nothing in racing today.  I owe my place at the Form to him (and David Miller) as well as my position managing the Canterbury Racing Club.  To that end, the efforts of Andrew Offerman, Michelle Benson and Jalique Eikenberry cannot be understated as they were always at the ready with help and advice.  Track President Randy Sampson’s guidance over the track operations and influence on Minnesota racing can sometimes go unnoticed – but it shouldn’t.  The guiding light for Minnesota racing may have been lit by Dale Schenian and Randy’s dad Curt, but Randy has taken that torch and held it higher than it’s nearly ever been and will continue to make history over the next several years.  In any talk of a resurgence, Randy needs to get the lion’s share of the credit – though he would never say so himself.

When discussing the resurgent Minnesota racing industry one cannot give the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community enough credit.  Their deal with Canterbury is a unique one in the United States and has led to elevated purses, full stalls and fields, better wagering opportunities, more competitive racing and a strong heartbeat for a once dying industry in Minnesota.  They are also not passive participants.  You can see members attending the races and on major race days you can see the presence of their executive team actively participating in the success of the racetrack.  I see this teamwork only getting closer as time goes by.

It’s always a pleasure sharing a pressbox with Paul Allen and my fondest wish every year is that no track takes this gem away from us.  And speaking of sharing a pressbox, the inimitable Jim Wells makes it a pleasure to go to work each race day.  Angela Hermann provided the most noteworthy event of the summer when she was the first female in North America to call an entire thoroughbred race card and I was honored enough to report on, as well as witness, history.  Inviting me into the booth for some pre-race analysis with her was a blast, as always, and my day subbing for her in the paddock made me realize (again) just how difficult a job it is.  I would judge my performance as a C with a couple of A races but a couple that were just downright awful as well.  Of course I still had a great time and really appreciate the opportunity.

All the members of the Canterbury Racing Club this season were wonderful to work for.  They were an active, animated, opinionated and passionate group that made it one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life.  I hope that I can come back in 2014 and see if we can finish the year in the black for the first time as well as to continue to pass on my love and understanding of the business.

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association board of directors was eventful and interesting this year as well.  Jay Dailey took over the presidential reins from Scott Rake and continued on with strong, stable leadership as the organization continues to grow and racing in Minnesota flourishes once again.  The rock beneath the occasional storminess of the Board is the miraculous Kay King, our Executive Director, who seemingly takes on task after task and makes them all look effortless. 

As we foray into breeding for the first time, Lisa Duoos and her team at Dove Hill Reproduction have been wonderful in guiding us through the breeding process and taking as good of care of Tabby Lane as could ever be expected.  It’s nice to see additional stallions come under her management, she certainly deserves it.  We used Deb and Jeff Hilger’s Storm Cat sire, Eastwood Dacat, and the patience and time that the Hilgers put into guiding me through the process before we even got started was above and beyond anything that you could expect.  This foal and any success he or she may have will be more a testament to those three than anything I have done.

Finally, I would be very remiss in not acknowledging the contributions of Heather Frisbie.  Her love, support and frank opinions are all much appreciated and sorely needed.  Her knowledge of the sport horse from her years showing horses and barrel racing is more valuable than I can express.  She brings an insight into the business that I don’t have and is a compliment to what I do know!  Add to it her eye for photography and willingness to share those gifts with the partners and Club members and I am forever grateful.  I love her dearly and glad we’re a team.  Now if I could only get her to stop falling in love with the horses…

If I inadvertently forgot anyone, I am truly sorry.  There are simply so many kind and generous folks for me to possibly be able to thank individually and I hope that if I missed you, you’ll forgive me!  In a day or two, I’ll share my goals for 2014 as we kick off another year of racing!

Cooperation Between Upper Midwest Tracks Gives More Opportunities for Owners

Cooperation has been a watchword in the industry for a long time.  Sadly it’s mostly been because of the LACK of cooperation as opposed to cooperating for the common good.  This summer, however, cooperation is coming to the upper Midwest and it looks to be a winning situation.

Canterbury Park and Prairie Meadows announced today an agreement to allow Minnesota Thoroughbreds to compete at Prairie Meadows in restricted races written for Iowa Thoroughbreds prior to the start of the Canterbury Park race meet on May 17. Likewise, when the Prairie Meadows Thoroughbred meet concludes in mid-August, Iowa Thoroughbreds will have an opportunity to run alongside Minnesota Thoroughbreds in designated race restrictions at Canterbury Park through mid-September. 

The Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association led by Leroy Gessmann proposed the concept to the Minnesota HBPA last summer hoping to offer additional racing opportunities for horses from both states.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Iowa Thoroughbreds to run in restricted state races beyond mid-August when our season ends at Prairie Meadows,” said Deb Leech, President of the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, "and the same holds true for Minnesota-bred horses to run, before Canterbury opens, in state restricted races here in Iowa. We are thrilled that Canterbury Park and Prairie Meadows were both receptive to this idea and worked with the Iowa and Minnesota HBPAs to make this happen. Purse structures are comparable, so this is an attractive option for our breeders and owners. We look forward to a successful first year of these additional races and building on it for the future.”

“This collaboration presents additional racing opportunities for owners of Iowa and Minnesota-breds,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said. “With the Canterbury meet now extending into mid-September, we are excited to give the Iowa-bred horses the opportunity to race at Canterbury after the Prairie Meadows race meet concludes.” 

As many owners will recall last year, toward the end of the Canterbury meet as Minnesota breds started to work their way through their conditions, it was harder and harder to fill MN bred races.  I know several owners complained to me, “Why won’t they write a MN bred non winners of 3 races lifetime, $7500 claiming?”  The short answer was, “Because only you and one other horse are eligible!”  The answer was a bit longer than that, but the gist was exactly that.  The decline in the MN foal crop over the past five years left a real gaping hole in the MN bred racing program. 

That is about to change starting this season thanks to the cooperative marketing agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community which increases and stabilizes purses over the next 9-years.  Already, in-foal mares are coming into the state in near record numbers and we should see a nice bump in the number of MN bred foals over the next few years.  As the pace accelerates, maybe a program like this won’t be necessary, but whether it’s necessary or not to fill races or not, giving MN breds a place to run early and IA breds a place to run late really extends the season for an area that is limited in its ability to conduct a long race meet is great for owners and trainers.  More opportunities while not diluting the product is never a bad thing and hopefully can lead to other cooperative ventures – here as well as a beacon for tracks elsewhere.

The Year Ahead Holds a Lot of Promise

“May your horses run swiftly & return safely; all your wagers be winners; and this great game of ours prosper like never before!”

-          Old Greek Proverb

Well, it is actually a new proverb written by an old Greek just last night (I prefer middle aged, but my children would argue that point) on Twitter, but it still applies.  2013 has a lot of potential to be an outstanding year.

In Minnesota, things have never been better.  That may not be entirely true as I understand the ‘80s, when Canterbury Downs opened, were pretty spectacular, but in my tenure here – 8 years this summer – the outlook for the future has never been brighter.

Canterbury Park’s 2013 stakes schedule was released a few weeks ago and features five stakes worth more than $100,000.  In my time here only the Lady Canterbury was $100,000 or better and that was reduced the last few years as well.  This year the Lady Canterbury will return to $100,000 and the second running of the Mystic Lake Derby will increase to $200,000.  The Northbound Pride Oaks will also return to $100,000. There are also a couple of newly created six figure stakes on the calendar as well: $125,000 Mystic Lake Mile and $100,000 Shakopee Juvenile Stakes.

While 2012 had a lot to get excited about it also brought with it sadness as we lost Dark Star early in the year.  The Chaucer Cup was one of Dark’s favorite races and its coming back to Canterbury next year in the form of the $50,000 Dark Star Cup.  I hope he still gets a big kick out of the race!

The 20th running of Minnesota Festival of Champions is going to offer up $370,000 in purses – $40,000 more than was offered in 2012.  A really cool addition, in my opinion, is that four of the stakes this year will be named for the most prestigious past winners.   The Distaff Sprint will be named for Bella Notte, the Sprint for Crocrock, the Distaff Classic for Glitter Star and the Classic for, naturally, Wally’s Choice.

The two major Minnesota-bred 3-year old stakes, the Minnesota Derby and Oaks, will be run for $75,000 – the most since the late 1980s.  All of this made possible through the cooperative marketing agreement between the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Canterbury Park.

And stakes aren’t the only races that have gained in purse and prestige, the purse allotment for the season will be double of what it was for the 2011 season.  More opportunities for everyone to try and turn a profit while enjoying the most fun you can have at a racetrack.

2013 shows a lot of promise – I’m looking forward to doing my small part in making it work!

The Inaugural Mystic Lake Derby

The marketing agreement between Canterbury Park and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), owners of Mystic Lake and Little Six casinos, was an historic accord that – in a VERY tight nutshell – pumped millions of dollars into purses in exchange for peace in the neighborhood over racino.

The first major piece of co-marketing to come from this agreement will be on display this afternoon in the $150,000 added Mystic Lake Derby.  If all eight entries make it to the starting gate the purse will swell to over $160,000, making it the richest race since the track reopened under current management in 1995. 

Here is a closer look at the contenders:

Why Frank (Oliver/Butler) – This lightly raced local broke his maiden over the slop here at the beginning of the meet but has been unable to touch the winner’s circle in two consecutive tries, deadheating for third last out in a $25,000 conditioned claimer in his first turf try.  Certainly will be a long shot against these.

Hammers Terror (Stidham/Keith) - This son of Artie Schiller was last seen only two weeks ago in the $150,000 Toronto Cup at Woodbine.  While he finished 4^th as the favorite, the connections felt that the race didn’t take much out him and also showed that he may be a bit distance challenged.  A mile may be right in his wheelhouse and this could be a great spot for him.

Delegation (Casse/Bridgmohan) – It’s tough to know what to make of Delegation.  The son of Speightstown was bred for the turf and is an undefeated two for two at Woodbine.  He broke his maiden easily over the turf and followed that up with an impressive allowance score.  It wouldn’t surprise me if he won by 5 or settled for third in his first real test.

Gung Ho (Maker/Franklin) – The third place finisher in the Grade 1 Blue Grass stakes, Gung Ho was last seen as the beaten favorite in the Grade 2 American Turf on Derby Day.  He comes back to the races here in good shape and has been working well in preparation for his return.  He’s the 5/2 morning line favorite but will have his hands full with the two on his inside.

Tequila Factor (Wilson/Riggs) – Winner of the Tempe Handicap back in March by daylight, Tequila Factor has not been a factor in his subsequent 4 races.  A tough spot to try and regain his winning ways.

Corporate Chapel (Mankin/Stevens) – Two tries over the Canterbury turf this season have yielded a third and a fourth.  It is probably a bit much to think he’ll get his 1^st here, though his allowance victory over the dirt two back was a nice front running effort, albeit over a front-running track.

North of Never (Granitz/Martinez) – A lot of wise guy rumbling about this one.  A very impressive allowance win last out at Arlington.  He was a beaten by the great Silver Max two starts back in the Arlington Classic, only missing the second spot by a length and a half after flattening out a bit.  If the cut back in distance is what was needed, he could surprise as the invader that should have the best post time odds.

Take Heart (Robertson/Bell) – Never count out the Hall of Fame duo, especially coming off of two consecutive wins here over the turf.  He’ll be coming hard when the real running begins but he may be a cut below the top flight in here.

There is definitely some speed in this race.  Delegation certainly springs to mind and Hammers Terror won’t be that far off an early pace, if at all.  Even Gung Ho has pace battled in the past.  All of this certainly flatters North of Never’s attempt here.  He should be sitting well enough of the early pace to give him a clear run at the leaders if he’s classy enough to get past them.  The rail is back to 10 feet so there should be some ability to close in the race and it looks like things may shape up nicely for the Granitz trainee.

However, while I don’t think that Delegation is going to be able to wire the field, I also don’t feel that the early pace is going to be suicidal either.  The mile distance may allow for some quicker fractions than in a race that goes a mile and a sixteenth or an eighth and while Delegation is bred to get the distance it remains to be seen if he can while the distance seems to be right in Hammers Terror’s wheelhouse coming from a trainer that’s not known for bringing back horses so quickly.  If Stidham is bringing him back in two weeks it’s because the colt has it in him to win it.  I also like the cut back to mile over the stretch out.

I think the invaders take the first four spots with Hammers Terror taking home the laurels, a hard charging North of Never picking up second over a stalking Gung Ho and tiring Delgation.

1.      Hammers Terror

2.      North of Never

3.      Gung Ho

4.      Delegation

A Deal Approved, a Future to Write and Some Sour Grapes

The Minnesota Racing Commission approved, by a 5-3 vote, the marketing arrangement between the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Canterbury Park yesterday in a specially called session. 

The afternoon started with Canterbury President and CEO Randy Sampson outlining the deal and providing some history for the panel.  Most importantly, Sampson related that for 15 years Canterbury has struggled for racino in the state legislature.  This past year there was a budget shortfall that was filled by borrowing from our children, a Vikings stadium that needed to be funded, a governor that was in favor of expanded gaming, a new party controlling the legislature and overwhelming public support for a racino and, at the end of the day, the legislation could not even be brought up for a vote.  Sampson was told flat out by several influential lawmakers, “It does not have the votes.”

House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Governor Mark Dayton told Sampson that the best way to get anything favorable done was to go to their neighbors and fiercest opponents in the racino struggle, the SMSC operators of Mystic Lake and Little Six Casinos in neighboring Prior Lake, and try and work something out.  Initial negotiations produced the Horse Racing Purse Enhancement Act.  Further discussions centered on the Native Americans running the racinos at the tracks, which Running Aces rejected.  Ultimately what came out of these discussions was the marketing arrangement that provided $75 million directly to the purse account at Canterbury.

What needs to be understood which I don’t think is by many casual fans, is that there have always been two very different views on how any expanded gaming money was to be utilized by the racetracks.

Canterbury Park was reopened after a three year hiatus by a public company, Canterbury Park Holding Company (CPHC).  The main shareholders of that company, the Schenian and Sampson families, are owners and breeders of racehorses.  Running Aces Harness Park was opened in 2008 by Southwest Casinos, a now bankrupt casino operator.  From the very beginning it was apparent that they were betting on the come that racino legislation would be enabled.  Just the way that the construction was done and the card club floor was laid out it was apparent that this property was built to be more than just a racetrack.

As the past four years have shown, there was a decided difference between the intentions of the ownership groups at the two racetracks for any alternative gaming revenues.  Canterbury Park was intent on working with the horsemen’s groups to provide as much of that money for purses as was possible.  Running Aces intention, after the bankruptcy of Southwest Casinos and the takeover by a private equity firm, was to retain as much of the money for management as possible while providing comparatively little for horsemen.  This fundamental difference simmered under the surface of any racino discussions and always remained a bone of contention.  Ultimately this was proven out by the rejection by Running Aces of having the Tribes operate the racinos with money being funneled into purse accounts.

Once the decision was made that having Tribal operators run the racinos was a non-starter for Running Aces, the politicians advised Canterbury to talk to the SMSC and see what could be worked out.  Whether or not they gave the same advice to the harness track is unknown.

Following Sampson, Running Aces spokesman John Derus stepped to the microphone to outline his objections to the deal.  He said that the money was outrageously high since it cost only $77 million to build Canterbury in 1984; that now Canterbury was an adversary in their pursuit of a racino; that it just wasn’t fair.

Fairness was a theme that ran through the testimony of politicians that supported Running Aces and the employees that testified at the hearing.  Oh, and the single harness horseman that spoke against the agreement – I couldn’t tell you if there were any others there.

“They got theirs so where is ours?” could have been the testimony.  It wasn’t fair that the Commission side with Canterbury.  It wasn’t fair that they were getting all this money and we aren’t.  It’s just not fair.

The fact is that Running Aces would never approve an agreement like the one Canterbury did because there is nothing in it for track management. ALL of the $75 million of the SMSC/Canterbury agreement goes to purses.  An additional $8 million goes to joint marketing efforts.  ZERO goes to track management.  CPHC will have to make money the old fashioned way: they will earn it by making a go of the racing product now that they will have a quality product to sell.

Jeff Hilger, President of the Equine Development Coalition of Minnesota, testified that he would work on a similar deal for Running Aces with everything he had in him.  The reality is: they don’t want that deal.  They want the money.  They want racino and they want the majority of the money that doesn’t go to the state in their pocket, not their horsemen.

State Senator Pat Garofolo tweeted during the meeting: “Racino is dead.  Anyone says otherwise is trying 2 sell you something. I chief authored it last session and even I won’t vote 4 it now.”

In the face of these realities, Canterbury Park cut a marketing deal that literally saves thoroughbred racing in Minnesota.  Running Aces racing secretary said that patience is still needed for racino, that it took 25-years where he came from in Ohio.  Thoroughbred racing in Minnesota had a maximum shelf life of two years without this agreement. Dick Day, lobbyist for Racino Now, said that they were “this” close to passing, maybe it’d take another five years, but it would happen.  I guess to a paid lobbyist what’s another five years?  To those that make their living out at Canterbury that would have been four years too late.

HBPA President Tom Metzen put it best when he said, “This agreement isn’t any different than the University of Minnesota accepting money from the Tribes to build a plaza outside of the football stadium.  If Coke-Cola wanted to give us $77 million to sponsor racing for the next 10-years we wouldn’t even be talking about this, but applauding it.”

Running Aces is free to pursue racino legislation unencumbered by the restrictions on their potential profit by Canterbury Park.  They are certainly free to cut a deal with another Native American Band similar to Canterbury’s with the SMSC.  They can do what they want to do now and best of luck to them, I guess.  I wish the best for their horsemen, who seemed to be in short supply yesterday which speaks more than any testimony that could have been given.

As I tweeted yesterday (@tlgrevelis), now it’s time for the heavy lifting to begin at Canterbury.  The story has really only just begun.  The playing field is level. The marketing dollars are there.  Now it’s up to the track and horsemen to write the success story.

Tribe & Track Join Forces to Propel Minnesota Racing

Minnesota Thoroughbred racing just got a bit more interesting.  On Monday,  Canterbury Park signed an agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) that provides security for the Community by way of Canterbury forgoing any lobbying for a racino (and agreeing to assist the SMSC in fighting other off-reservation gaming) in exchange for purse enhancement funds totaling $75 million dollars over 10-years plus another $8.5 million in marketing dollars to support join marketing efforts.

There are several wins here.

-        Horsemen.  The money provided goes direct to purses.  2012 will see an increase of about 35% in total purse money while 2013 may see another 25 – 30% increase or more.  The funds are staggered so the first year's payment (2012) is the lowest with the payments topping out at $8 million for each of the last 4 years.  State bred maidens will run for $25,600 now while the Lady Canterbury will go back to $100,000 for the first time in years.  Could a graded stake be too many years away?

-        Racing.  Purses won’t go insane here.  You won’t see $5,000 claimers running for $25,000, but you may see open allowances worth $35,000.  You’ll see the entire stakes calendar be black type races. The track has been able to do well drawing trainers and owners because of the fabulous relationship between backside and front.  Add competitive purses to the mix and it is going to be tough to find stall space.

-        Breeding.  It’s going to matter to have a MN bred again.  The small foal crop and increased purses makes for a perfect storm for the few folks that will have good quality MN breds hitting the track the next couple of years.  The money will be there for the taking.  Higher quality broodmares should start entering the state and when mated properly and the right amount of luck, should start producing higher quality horses that will be able to win anywhere.  Exactly where we want our breeding industry to end up.  I want to see a MN bred in the gate at the Breeders’ Cup by the end of this marketing arrangement!

-        SMSC.  The Community no longer has to spend millions for lobbyists to fend off the racino folks. With Canterbury out of the picture that train should really lose steam.  With a protected flank, the Community can now focus on other matters.

-        Shakopee/Prior Lake.  Your gambling destination resort in the Twin Cities.  Spend a day at the races and a night at the casino.  The track could conceivably now send its best bettors (and there are quite a few of them) to Mystic for a night to sample what the resort has to offer.  Additionally, the casinos can send folks over to the track for a reserved table and day of racing.  The possibilities are limitless and the local communities will benefit.

It’s not all peaches and cream for everyone, though.  There are some that find themselves on the outside looking in.

 

-        State of Minnesota.  The state actually will benefit a bit by this.  Keeping  the racing industry vibrant and growing, rather than declining, will attract more jobs, but their big money would be have been made by a racino so the state loses out on the possibility of $100 million plus a year.  Frankly, the agreement is a much better solution for racing and personally I love the cooperation between the Community and the track, but the state coffers might not think so.  Thank your rep if you’re upset about this one.  After 10+ years, it was time to take no for an answer.

-        Running Aces.  The harness track is left out of this picture.  It makes sense in a way – why would the SMSC care what happens in Columbus?  The fact is that even when Canterbury wanted racino, the views of how it would be implemented varied greatly between the two race tracks.  Canterbury wanted the majority of the money to be committed to purses while Running Aces wanted the majority of money to go the track operators.  You can’t blame them, they were built by a casino company and owned by private equity, but they were built on a bet on racino being legalized and lost.  Canterbury has been a vibrant piece of the business community in Minnesota for over 25 years – in fact was the first legal betting destination in the state.  I would suggest that Running Aces talk to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the owners of Grand Casino Hinckley, and try to reach a similar accord.  I would be surprised if agreement can be reached, however, if the operators of the track insist on a chunk of the money for themselves.

Ultimately though, this is a win/win.  Racino was never going to pass.  There may have been glimmers of hope to further other agendas from time to time, but ultimately it was not going to happen.  This type of cooperative arrangement is perfect.  Racing gets a legitimate shot to succeed which is all it can really ask for. 

Of course this agreement is only the beginning.  More trainers need to be recruited and, perhaps more importantly, simulcasting outlets need to be lined up.  I’m not talking about in state (though why say no to that?), but places like TVG and various OTB outlets around North America.  What will be happening at Canterbury is going to be significant and the product will be very sellable – it needs to get sold.  The more locations that the signal is shown the more the racing product is bet.  The product is going to be betable, let’s get it out there.

Breeding can now be done with a level of confidence that did not exist for the 2012 breeding season. You can bet that Minnesotans will be out to the various sales this summer and fall to start rebuilding broodmare bands.  Those of us with older racing mares will have to take a hard look at pedigree and racing record and determine if the shed might be in their future.

We’re on the verge of very exciting times for racing in the North Star State.  It won’t be overnight but the future is bright thanks to Canterbury Park management and the leadership of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.  Now it’s time to step up and seize the moment.