Maryland Racing Commission Chairman John Franzone isn't holding back his strong feelings regarding the firing of Lou Raffetto, president and chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club.
I blogged about his reaction in The Thoroughbred Times earlier today, then came across some more gems.
Franzone told The Washington Post: "You talk about bad decisions in politics and industry; this is like the Bay of Pigs. That's how bad it is. I think Magna is out of the running for slots at Laurel."
And The Baltimore Sun: "The press release is a total fabrication. Magna basically told him to put his stuff in a cardboard box and head to the door. This decision is unequivocally a disaster. I was on the phone today with [Magna chairman Frank] Stronach, pleading with him not to do this ... but he said, 'No. Got to change.' In my mind, they lose all credibility. It's now below zero, and it almost borders on malfeasance."
Okay, so the Bay of Pigs analogy may be a bit over the top, but it's still funny. However, considering Frank's heritage, I would have gone with Napoleon's defeat of the Austrians (and the Third Coalition) at the Battle of Austerlitz.
Regardless, these quotes are coming from the government official who is in charge of the organization that regulates the racing industry. Probably the one guy you don't want to mess with in the state if you run a race track. If he has no confidence in Magna's leadership and Laurel doesn't get slots -- and in turn any slot money for purses -- the horsemen will leave and racing is done in the state.
No More. Over. Fin.
I'm not a fan of slots as a quick fix, but when it's a factor in three bordering states (DE, PA, WV), it's needed to at least have a fighting chance to stay afloat. Talk about screwing the pooch, Frank might have only been better off had he not taken Franzone's call.
2 comments:
Good work following this, I haven't found any other bloggers who are writing about this. I'm utterly shocked that Frank is being so bullheaded, but considering his track record, maybe I shouldn't be.
You would hope at this late date that the pols would recognize the difference between track ownership and the horsemen and breeders. Slots will cost any licensee a pretty penny up front but are a windfall -- at the very least a salvation -- for horse people. Magna, based on what Franzone said, will be on a tighter leash than ever but the ship has sailed and slots are going to referendum. If Laurel and Pimlico can actually make money in the present environment (you can thank the Preakness), think what they can do with slots. The pecking order in the Mid-Atlantic would immediately be re-aligned. Can Magna guide this horse into the winner's circle or are they permanently five wide, checking behind horses, pulling up in distress and getting vanned off? Nobody said this game isn't interesting. -- John Scheinman
Post a Comment