From the “right from their mouths” department…

In a recent Harness Link letter to the editor, a United States Trotting Association (USTA) director, David Siegel, took his industry to task for not signing on to HISA. In it, he writes: “The primary reason I think the USTA continually errs regarding this legislation is that it fails to think properly about protecting the many legislative achievements the various horsemen’s groups have attained in the so-called slot states.” Then this, as if to underscore to his colleagues what they’re risking: “More than 90% of the purse monies come from these favorable arrangements.”

Oh those “favorable arrangements,” or as everyone outside the industry calls them – subsidies. Imagine, “more than 90%” of purse money funded by taxpayers. It’s obscene, but it’s also no mystery why Mr. Siegel is sounding the alarm.

Then there was a New York Racing Association profile of trainer Kerry Metivier this past Monday. Most of it, as fully expected, was trash, but one quote did catch my eye. Speaking of his horse Handle the Truth, Metivier says: “She’s like a little ATM. When you need a little boost, you enter her.”

Says it all, huh? By the way, in her most recent race, Mar 26 at Aqueduct, the “little ATM” finished third, “boosting” Metivier’s bank account by $3,360.