It always amazes me that people will respond with what they want others to believe is fact, when in fact, it is total horse manure. Tony Garritano was never a part of the Gretna project. Charmayne James was asked to speak on behalf of the Gretna project and she did so because it was a benefit for barrel racers. What was not being told (by the horse racing industry in Florida is by state law a certain percentage of all gaming revenues (set by the state) have to go into the purse of the horse racing operation. The other racing associations didn't want future monies to go to barrel racing or any other racing association except their own. (It's was just greed on their part). The Gretna project was an opportunity for Florida barrel racers to run for more money than they have ever before. And had it not been quashed by political pundits influenced by the horse racing industry, overtime the purse money would have topped 7 figures a year. How many barrel racers are running for that type of purse now?
As for ERA, I personally think its a great idea, especially for the fan of barrel racing and rodeo, of which I am one and a new one at that. And speaking from a fans point of view, it quite difficult to follow your favorite barrel racer or for that matter even your favorite newcomer with the current system. A major league type of organization, gives the entire industry...ORGANIZATION and that seems to be lacking in the current system. It is beyond me that someone starting out would be anything but thrilled to strive towards making it to the major leagues, the NBA, the NFL or the ERA!
Of course, there are those who will always resist change, even when it is for their on good (Gretna is a great example). I think it was Harold Wilson who said, "He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects change is the cemetery."
So how is this new change of the face of America working for you? Sometimes change really sucks and ends up biting you in the butt as it has the majority of us on BHW..
I appreciate your time to express your thoughts and your facts as you see them. It was a gambling license that the casino needed, yup the racing industry will protect what it owns. Not my rules theirs as you have so stated. Without a license it was a fading dream that the barrel racers witnessed and yet did profit briefly. I don't need to tell you about the laws when you involve the public in the gambling/betting venue. You act as though the industry hasn't improved through the years....and we know that is not true. The American is a great example. Time again will tell on the viability of the ERA deal.
Fat Chance
