Some Questions

Why is it that jockeys are proactive with whipping changes, but drivers seem to be married to what they have always done?

Jockey's at Del Mar, being proactive on using new light touch whips: “The jockeys came to us and said, ‘Our riders are ready to do this here,’ ” he said. “We love the horses and we're always looking for new things to improve racing,” said jockey Alex Solis.

Why is it that with some positive tests it takes two years to settle it, yet with others it is part of the game and it takes like ten minutes?

Dick Clark, Prairie Meadows trainer, caught with too much banamine in his horses: "When it's your own stupidity that does something, what's the use of fighting it?" Clark said. "It was my fault. It was just a misunderstanding between me and (the groom). I'm still responsible whether he did (understand) or not."

Why is it that we can't seem to find any promotions in racing with the billions of slot money we receive, yet a furniture salesman can find two million bucks to promote the sport?

McIngvale, the Gallery Furniture owner and philanthropist, on Monday told the Chronicle he will put up a $2 million purse if Zenyatta and 2009 Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra come to Sam Houston Race Park for a duel tentatively set for Oct. 3

Why is it that horse racing bettors have been around since about 1870 and we don't know who they are, but slots players have been playing at racino's for less than a decade but we know all about them?

"I don't think we know a lot about our horse bettor," Prairie Meadows board member Tom Whitney said. "I think we know about our casino player." (in response to the fact that PM is worried that horse crowds are hurting slots players.)

Why is it when someone comes looking for government money, they always trumpet how many people are employed by their business. If I run a basket weaving company that is losing trillions of dollars a year, do I have a better chance to get free money if I employ more people than another company only losing a few billion a year?

New Jersey horse racing: "... pegged to horse racing, which is said to have roles in providing some 13,000 equine industry jobs in the state and in supporting 176,000 acres of operating farmland"

New Jersey casino dude: Corbo said the casino business supports 60,000 "direct and indirect" jobs, generating tax receipts and consuming goods and services that dwarf what the horse racing industry provides. "It is without question that the economic impact of New Jersey's casino industry to the state far exceeds those (impacts) of the entire equine industry,"

Why is it that when horseplayers mention we need a takeout reduction, many trainers will ask for incontrovertible proof and ten year studies that a reduction will mean more money, but if two horses break down on a Thursday on a poly surface, some of those same trainers will want every polytrack ripped up?

Why is it when we read interviews with people over a certain age like John Campbell we see class and humility, but when reading interviews with some drivers under 30 like Tim Tetrick, all we seem to get is Terrell Owens in a driving suit?

JC: "The horses are the ones. I can go out there and drive the best race of my life, but if I've got nothing to work with no one will even notice."

TT: "There are so many horses I drive that pay about $10, and if anyone else drove, they'd be 20/1, and for some reason they win."

That's it for today! Enjoy your Tuesday everyone!