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.

You see, things get pretty personal on these discussion boards. So personal in fact that some “posters” took it upon themselves to contact employers of not just myself but others. On a board that is supposed to be a place to voice your opinion, share ideas, and even dare to say “promote” racing, don’t be surprised if your cut off at the start.

I will give you an example. This past week, a poster that is known to all of the board due to his arrogance and jealousy, made a personal remark about me on an incident that took place a year ago. This had nothing to do with racing, it was a total personal attack on someone who tries to keep things clean.

After reading the post, I approached the “mod’s” and instead of the individual who made the remarks being “suspended” of his posting rights, it was me who was suspended for saying in a public forum that it was a “joke”. I question the “post” and it’s moi who gets the boot. Go figure. Welcome to the world of discussion boards.

I am not saying that these boards could not be a good tool to promote racing, actually on the contrary. It would be excellent if a promoter of racing could post a topic about an upcoming event without it having to be shut down due to the constant whining, personal attacks, and other hypocritical actions.

Further, I have tried to keep my posting to a minimum in the last little while watching from the outside. It’s tough when “outsiders” try to defame your character through speculation and innuendos. Funny thing is, two of the biggest “cut throat” arm chair quarterback, know-it-alls do not live in my region, nor rarely see a race from here unless it’s due to efforts of others.

That’s my take on discussion boards- again. If you partake, my suggestion, do not get involved in the personal side of things as I have done it and not proud of my actions, but those who continue to choose that course will continue to be the “has beens, have nots, and want be’s of racing.

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]