First, we need a Commissioner’s Cabinet

Harnesslink’s Brad Reid alerted me to a general question “You’ve just been appointed as the Commissioner of Harness Racing in your country…What’s the first thing you’re changing and why?”

Of course, there have been many replies and suggestions—all worthy, by the way—but, in order to get things started, a very important first step must take place.

NAMING A COMMISSIONER…

And the next steps—even more important—are CORRALLING a CABINET that will make the Commissioner look great by achieving goals.

Everyone is talking about age being such an important element in selection a “head honcho,” whether it be a President or any other important post, whether it be giants like Apple or Meta to our own sport.

Age, actually, isn’t as important as the “Cabinet” selection and with whom you associate, you know, the department heads that make one look great at any age.

Heck, Warren Buffett is 93—and he runs Berkshine-Hathaway with a market cap of $908 BILLION.

Roger Penske is 87…and he’s the CEO of Penske Automotive.

Many others are in their 70’s and 80’s and run their corporations efficiently and profitably, having adapted to all that’s changed over the years.

They don’t do it themselves.

Whether it be a President’s cabinet or a corporation’s cabinet, it all comes down to the folk that can get your goals to fruition.

So, with all the grand suggestions that have been put forth (with countless more to follow) nothing will get done without our sport’s Commissioner and his/her Cabinet filled with forward thinking, articulate, honest-beyond-reproach experts to get the “starting gate rolling.”

First, the Commissioner needs a person to oversee all racetrack operations, complete with a team to honor our tradition stretching close to two-and-a-half centuries and work for our long-term success.

That person would need to be assisted with an office staff that would build relationships with track executives, lending credence to the importance of the Commissioner.

Next, we need a Cabinet member in charge of “training” all officials with a standard set of rules and rulings, making sure that all involved in our sport finally know that any infractions will not vary from State-to-State.  That, alone, can take all the confusion off the table.

Medications should include a standard set of rules eliminating all confusion as to what’s legal, what’s illegal, clearance times and the like.

We also need a Cabinet member that will be in charge of business strategic strategy and partnerships—long term relationships that will benefit their businesses, as well. The strategy would also include the minority—both businesses and people.

With integrity being an important focal point, it’s important to have a Cabinet member that will oversee compliance with all rules and policies.

This is essential that every single thing that impacts every race is in the open with clarity and consistency, insuring credibility.

Harness racing needs a Cabinet member involved in education…developing educational programs beginning in kindergarten with advancement through subsequent grade levels into high school and college for those that develop an interest with horses and future participation.

We need a Cabinet member with expertise in communications who can brings our stars to events showing goodwill to local, worthy charitable organizations—the same way Amateur Clubs are doing at many tracks today (that are, sadly, scorned, by some), with a wide reach benefitting cities and counties with television stations getting these goodwill stores one the air. (How about a PODCAST for our legends and up-and-coming stars carrying the torch forward).

Another Cabinet member would be in charge of equipment rules and track policy, with the possibility of advertising on colors/silks with licensees that could benefit their businesses.

Harness racing’s Cabinet should include a member that specializes in the well-being of our drivers, trainers and caretakers, including clinical services—not just when a disaster happens. Let’s keep our participants healthy. This would and should include psychological services, as well as the normal “check-ups.”

Yet another Cabinet member should oversee track discipline with regard to “uniform” and protective equipment inspection, ensuring driver-trainer safety to the nth degree.

Another Cabinet member might oversee the training of Officials—both current and prospective—with that member having extensive experience as an Official.

With simulcasting playing such an important role in today’s harness racing scene, harness racing needs oversight, development and training of a REPLAY STAFF with the possibility of each track running a continual loop of their races…all handled by harness racing’s Cabinet member.

We should have a Cabinet member with media experience rekindling entries and results in newspapers and websites, filled with highlights and stories about our grand sport. We have talent bursting at the seams with nowhere to showcase that talent.

All the ideas that have been well thought out cannot get out of the batter’s box without new, forward-thinking personnel led by a Commissioner.

We have a choice of following the steps to become a “Major” sport and continue to lolly-gag in our comfortable quagmire as a minor sport.

We simply cannot let our sport evaporate like our shorelines and our coastlines. Harness racing is too great to let that happen.

We just need to find enough people to step up to the plate…and that won’t be easy.

Nevertheless…“MAY THE HORSE BE WITH YOU.”

by John Berry, for Harnesslink