In our recent exploration, The Illusion of Independence, we pulled back the curtain on the tight-knit relationships that govern horse racing’s “official” narrative. We’ve seen it in the aftercare sector with the TAA’s non-disparagement dilemma, and we are seeing it again today as the industry’s legacy media attempts to frame Mike Repole’s call for change as a “disruption campaign” rather than a necessary evolution.
A recent column in the Paulick Report titled “Let’s Talk (Again) About A Racing Commissioner” is the latest example of what I call agenda-driven rhetoric. The column questions Repole’s “tactics” and wonders who would cede authority to him. But here is the irony: the column itself is sponsored by The Jockey Club—the very organization that holds a monopoly on the industry’s data, direction, and narrative.
When the “read of the room” suggests that the status quo is untouchable, it begs the question: Why are certain voices—including a recent letter to the editor sent by a partner of Mike Repole to the TDN—seemingly too hot to handle? If the industry is healthy, it should welcome dissent. Instead, we see a defensive crouch.
Aron Wellman:
In the wake of some serious soul searching, and after absorbing The Jockey Club’s Jan. 27 rebuttal directed at Mike’s demands for accountability, I can no longer concern myself with the risk of offending individuals who wear titles which should warrant respect, nor friends or business partners.
The Legal Signal: Latham & Watkins and the NASCAR Parallel
At Past the Wire, we were the first to outline how a potential Repole lawsuit mirrors the Michael Jordan v. NASCAR battle. It is a fight against a closed-loop system where the few control the many.
Interesting developments suggest the “establishment” sees it our way, too. Reliable reports indicate that The Jockey Club has retained Christopher Yates of Latham & Watkins. For those keeping score, this is the same firm and counsel associated with NASCAR’s legal maneuvers. If The Jockey Club is “just a pedigree registry” as they often claim when it suits them, why retain the heavy-duty legal artillery used by major league sports monopolies? They know the stakes. They know the current structure is vulnerable.
A Decades-Long Call for Leadership
The Paulick Report frames the Commissioner talk as a new, radical “Repole” idea. It isn’t. I’ve been calling for a National Commissioner for over a decade. Why? Because every multi-state, multi-jurisdictional sport on the planet has one.
While the industry founders, the individuals within the Jockey Club’s inner circle seem to be doing just fine. Meanwhile, the sport itself suffers through a multi-faceted crisis:
- The Handle: Stagnating or declining in real terms.
- The Foal Crop: Shrinking to levels that threaten the very existence of year-round racing.
- CAW Infiltration: A dependency on Computer-Assisted Wagering that alienates the “everyday” bettor who keeps the lights on.
- Aftercare & Longevity: A rainy day that has turned into a monsoon, yet the industry’s “leaders” sit on millions while the sport stands without an umbrella.
Independence vs. Control
Let’s be clear: I am independent. I have called out Mike Repole when I thought he was wrong—specifically on HISA and safety protocols. I have pushed for free data from Equibase because transparency is the only way to grow. I corrected myself when I learned through Equibase there is a lot more free data available than most racing fans know. It is a communication failure not a lack of free data.
Being independent means being the first to say when a “savior” is wrong, but also the first to identify when the “status quo” is gaslighting the public. Racing doesn’t need a controlled, censored, and ultimately false narrative. It needs action.
As a gambling man by nature I’d wager if you ask Repole why he respects Past the Wire, it’s likely because he knows we aren’t part of the echo chamber. We aren’t here to protect the umbrella; we’re here to make sure the sport survives the storm. We share a mutual vision of a better game, a level playing field and just maybe a return to the glory days of the Sport of Kings. It’s time for a Commissioner, it’s time for transparency, and it’s time to stop pretending the “illusion of independence” is the same thing as the truth.
I’ll close with this as it was mentioned in some of the Paulick Report narrative. It appears the desire to see emails and correspondence between the Jockey Club members through discovery struck a nerve. I don’t know if they will be deemed privileged or not but those type communications often reveal what those making them don’t want you to know. A wise friend once told me “never say anything on the phone you don’t want played back to you in a courtroom some day.” They were right. In today’s digital age I’d say that includes emails and texts. They can be very enlightening.
Stay off the phone…..and email (text included)
Past the Wire, Jon Stettin, March, 2014:
To the naysayers and pessimists regarding a central governing body and a horse racing commissioner, you need to reconsider. You’re being part of the problem and not the solution. Racing needs uniformity even from state to state. Other sports have it and they compete in multiple states. If we don’t do it, eventually the Government may or we may fail. I have been an advocate for a central governing body for a long time and it seems we need it more than ever today. We need knowledgeable racing people from all walks of the game and not political appointees on it for it to work. That includes people from the wagering side who have never been looked out for nor had a voice, from the backside and all other facets of the game. Will this bring in the new fans we desperately need? Not right away but it’s a healthy start. We also need to have programs designed for the care and placement of horses after they cannot race. Old Friends and places like that should be abundant and receive funding from purses, racinos and takeout. There needs to be stiff penalties for not playing by the rules and especially harsh ones when it involves cruelty to our horses. We need to take care of our permanently disabled riders as well with those same funds. Under a central governing body, all need to be treated without selective enforcement and with zero tolerance. One positive, you’re out. Racing is a privilege, not a right. It can’t be selective, and it can’t vary from track to track or state to state. Every trainer and owner needs to know these are the rules going forward. Wanna play follow them.
