Re-visiting global warming in harness racing

“Who cares?”

While there were many complimentary remarks about the last Mane Attraction harness racing column pointing out future concerns, the one that was the most notable was the one that quite succinctly wrote, “Who cares?”

It is a response just like that that has put harness racing’s future in jeopardy.

When I came to Florida in 1986 to join Pompano Park—now “The Pomp”—as the signs show at the entrances, I was fortunate enough to meet the “Track Physician,” Steve Silverstein.

Dr. Steve has been my trusted physician and great friend ever since and has guided me through some difficult medical situations over the years.

He even saved my wife’s life 20 years ago…but that’s another story!

Now he, as am I, is, thankfully, advancing in years and, on occasion, when Dr. Steve is unavailable, I see another physician, Dr. Joseph Moltz, who is 27 years old.

Some months ago, I had a “slight” medical emergency and Dr. Joe was right there to help and diagnosed my problem in, literally, less than one minute.

Yes, Dr. Joe is one of many that have made the “grade” to follow in Dr. Steve’s footsteps and, every year, there are thousands more studying medicine today to carry the torch forward.

In a recent study, 22,239 “matriculants” were entering medical school, a 1.7% increase over the prior year.

Dependent on various factors, some 65% to 93% of medical students become doctors.

From Computer Science to Engineering…from Business to Education…from Criminal Justice to Pharmacology and dozens of other majors, the numbers are substantial with these soon-to-be graduates ready to carry the torch to the next breakthroughs—whether they be in medicine, technology or every other industry.

Just as global war”m”ing is a global war”n”ing for our future here on earth, those two words, “Who cares?” Is exactly why harness racing is in trouble.

Back in the mid-1970’s, when harness racing drew over 28,000,000 In attendance, pari-mutuel handle helped support racing.

Now, attendance is so scarce that handle means nothing as racing is, in many locales, on casino welfare with simulcasting dollars split in a way that makes little sense and, really, makes no cents, at all.

How long that will last is anybody’s guess but, if Florida is any indication, harness racing faces a delicate walk on a tightrope for the future.

Bless Jeff Gural and his love for the standardbred!

Bless the Kentucky legislature for keeping that State, known for its caring of the breeds, for realizing the economic impact that reaches so many.

Bless the folk in Ohio for keeping the standardbred on the “front burner” insuring the future of the breed there.

BUT…we have not been an industry that has helped ourselves…because we are satisfied with being on welfare in so many areas…and how long will that last?

But “back to the future” for a moment.

There are about 3,500 licensed drivers and trainers in the U.S.A.

There is very few Joe Moltz’s around in harness racing.

Dr. Joe started his medical studies in his very early 20’s.

How many harness racing drivers today are under the age of 25?

Take a guess!…I’ll give you a minute……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Of those, approximately, 3,500 licensees, there are 53.

Yes, only 53 born in the year 2000 or later…1 1/2%…

Oh, there are a few that were “foaled” in 1999 that aren’t 25 yet but WE HAVE SO FEW CARRYING THE TORCH FORWARD.

Yes, we are OK for today and tomorrow but, as global warming is slowly melting our precious glaciers and eroding our land a half-inch at a time, we must look ahead to future generations—of which I will NOT be a part…not by choice…but, well, you know.

Lookout the number of harness tracks that have bit the dust over the past 40 years—from east coast to west coast…on to the midwestern Chicago and vicinity tracks…too many to list!

In 30 years, David Miller will be 89 and (probably) not driving much!

Wally Hennessey will be 96…Timmy will be 71…Bruce Ranger…90-something…Corey Callahan…75…Andy Miller will be 85…Yannick, 74.

Jason Bartlett will be 72, George Brennan 86…Lady J will be over 100…but I expect t that she and husband, Frank, who will be 120, will still be going full tilt!!!

Even Dexter will be 64 and the McCarthy brothers will be in their 50’s.

There are over 3,000 other examples, too…THREE THOUSAND!

And the following drivers, born in the 2000s will all be in their 50’s with nobody in the bullpen…

McGwire Sowers, Luke Hanners, Braxton Boyd, Trae Porter, Kyle Cummings, Jacob Cutting, Brett Beckwith, Justin Irvine, Declan Donoway, Dylan Huckabone-Miller, Cole Olson, Jack Killean, Donald Coy, Lauren Harmon, Bryson Dunning, Winter Asher-Stalbaum, Logan Loney, Christian Myers, Cody Shadel, Zachary Gray, James Gould, Case Bateson, Tyler Angus, Mathew Newberry, Clayton Pfeifer, Marvin Luna, Justin Gould, Kiwon Waldron, Dalton Lee, Jacob Baird, Jonathan Kersey, Jacob Roglitz, Kyle Swift, Ryan Raber, Carson Conrad, William Carter, Lucas Myers, Timothy Johnson, Kolton Noble, Zachary Vickerson, Shea Lake, Wyatt Long, Amanda Blakeford, Payton Birch, Travis Williams, Jacob Bouck, Wyatt Farmer, Hunter Michi, Gestin Delles, David Justice, Brennon Enos, Dylan Doucette and last, but, certainly not least, is my friend, Adarryl Gates.

Hopefully, they aren’t the last generation on this list…but I am fearful that we will have no educational tools in our education system to make harness racing a vocation for the future.

Who cares?

I CARE!

For once in my life, I hope I am wrong.

Now, more than ever, May the Horse Be With You.

by John Berry, for Harnesslink