Scott Waddell on Racing

I was the talk of the “net talk” and racing discussion boards when I dared to go on record to say that they were not good for racing and couldn’t be used for the good of the industry.Well, I am back again to once again state my opinion on racing discussion boards. First of all, I am a frequent participant on an on-line discussion board on racing. But that has again come to a screeching halt due to the fact that I questioned the “moderators” of the site for personal comments made about me.

Let me take you back a bit on this evolving issue. I joined a racing discussion board in 2002 with all of the best intentions. It wasn’t long until you can discover that dealing with “anonymous posters” can lead to a lot of negativity on yourself, your track, and your family.

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It’s been a couple years now that the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission adopted a human drug policy in the Maritimes.

Like other regions, it’s put in place for the obvious reason to keep drug users off of horses. That’s blunt, but that’s my understanding.

Now, here is the part of that I question. First off though I will say that I support the program and what it stands for. It’s been something that was a long time coming and is something required.

I do question however some of the “holes” in the system. First off when it comes to drugs, they obviously stay in your system for a certain period of time. Like alcohol or any type of drug.

Here’s what I wonder about and if it’s really indicative of the driver’s ability to drive, “the day of”. For example, a driver does an illegal drug two-days prior to being tested. On the day a driver drives, he hasn’t ingested drugs of any kind, and is “sober”.

Another scenario. Guy goes out on a Friday night, enjoys a few too many of his fave cocktail, is out to the wee hours of the morning, and drives that afternoon as there is no breathalyser. Is this a good thing?

Overall, the human drug testing is working, it has it’s place in racing. Like anything, it can be improved and changes made. I think there needs to be a type of “day test” that allows the tester to know if the driver is under the influence on the day in question.

(Image Credit)

I have had some interesting feedback from some people when I refer to horse racing in the same breath as the word “industry”.

Interesting to say the least. There are people who refer to horse racing as a gaming option. Very true. Some like to think of it as entertainment. Very true.

But using the word horse “industry” seems to be voodoo in some peoples opinions. I have been fortunate enough to grow up in a province that is steep and rich in traditional racing. A province where we race for a maximum purse of just over $ 1000 every week. Racing only happens once a week in my province during most months.

I consider racing as an “industry” besides the other avenues that it provides to all involved. It provides economic spin-offs to the economy. Our gov’t here has invested approximately $ 3-million over a three-year period to aid the fledgling “industry”. With investment, comes growth.

Racing in New Brunswick has been able to survive without the support of SLOTS. That in itself says something. How many places in Canada might face the same challenges we now face had they not been and continue to be bailed out by SLOT money?

Everyone in the horse racing “industry” pays taxes on everything that is spent with regards to supplies, equipment, horses themselves. Gas that used to haul horses from track to track, province to province.

How about the people who are dependent on business from the racing “industry”. Farriers, tack shops, breeders, feed providers, farmers, and the list goes on.

People question that horse racing is an “industry”? Hogwash. Question should be can it be a sustainable one……..

[Scioto Downs image found on Flickr]