What would outgoing Fraser Downs General Manager Chuck Keeling look for in his successor? Does he think a harness racing background is necessary for the next GM? Is there a future for standardbreds in BC? Keeling gives his insights on these issues and more on today's riveting episode
of Trot Radio.
As the 2010 season kicks off at Fraser Downs tonight (Friday, October 1), Norm Borg and Keeling - who remains on in an advisory role for another year - discuss the challenges facing racing in Western Canada, which in Keeling's view are just BC's "iteration" of the problems racing as a whole faces today. Keeling was also frank in offering his thoughts on the state of the industry.
"Just having a willingness, just having an appetite to put aside our biases and our thoughts, and that includes people like myself, or track operators as a stakeholder - it includes everybody - just accepting that something significant needs to change is a starting point," stated Keeling. "Whether it's what's happening in Ontario through the exercise being led by Standardbred Canada...you know what, that's a starting point."
In a hypothetical scenario, Keeling took his outside-the-box thinking to benefit the customer.
"Forget the actual stakeholders sharing in that money - track operators, horsepeople, breeders. Put it right into the pools in some strategic way....The industry may have to get weaker before some real substantive change happens."
Episode 152 – Chuck Keeling
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg
(Photo Credit: Jennifer Lang/Cloverdale Reporter)
The most important questions
The most important questions in my mind to ask in BC:
1) Why when GCGC is making money on horse racing at Fraser Downs, why do they want to cut dates instead of increase them?
2) Why does GCGC now force people to go through the casino to get to some areas that are for people who bet the horses?
3) Where is the promised advertising from BC Lotteries?
4) Horse racing now controlled by the Horse Racing Management Committee. It is short two members. Why are they allowed to still make decisions? Standardbreds have no representation. We know Mr Sturko lied when he said horse racing isn't making a profit. Why is HE still on the committee?
5) Why is horse racing in the Ministry of Housing and Social Development? How far down Rich Coleman's list are we?
I have many more concerns. These are just the highlights. I have asked these questions before. Maybe someone at Trot or SC can get some answers. I'd sure like to see them. Mary Jungquist