Bix Ellenbecker

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@RepoleStable If someone ran it up on you via DeVaux and Keeneland let the transaction collapse — did Keeneland ever collect the 5% commission on the $900,000 hammer price? Did they pay anything to attempt the gambit or did KEE let them off everything?"

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@o_crunk The purse increase thing is hilarious isn’t it? Proven over and over to not work. They want more G1’s for 3yo colts and pray for a stud deal. Could hang $20m on The Preakness and the big guys still would not run.

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@RaworDie @barshoelife MJC/CDI have no choice to move Preakness to 5 weeks after Belmont.

Derby/Belmont winners decide to skip anyway to “train up to Travers.” Haskell becomes a G3. NBC forces move up of post time of Preakness to 2:30pm (à la BC Classic).

NYRA holds all the leverage.

2/2

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@RaworDie @barshoelife Prediction TC Scheduling/Shake Out:

NYRA holds its ground on scheduling knowing Derby winner will run in Belmont 5 weeks after. Proven stand alone day since no TC “go for” in recent years. Moving Belmont kills their Saratoga start date.

Belmont becomes “2nd Leg of TC”

🧵 1/2

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@turfmichaeld MJC/CDI have no choice to move Preakness to 5 weeks after Belmont. Derby/Belmont winners decide to skip anyway to “train up to Travers.” Haskell becomes a G3. NBC forces move up of post time of Preakness to 2:30pm (à la BC Classic).

NYRA holds all the leverage. 2/2

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@turfmichaeld Prediction TC Scheduling/Shake Out:

NYRA holds its ground on scheduling knowing KD winner will run in Belmont 5 weeks after. Proven stand alone day with undercard and no TC “go for” recently. Moving Belmont kills their Saratoga start date.
Belmont becomes “2nd Leg of TC” 🧵 1/2

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@o_crunk I agree. Any idea of the “fix the plumbing” cost? Does every track have to redo their “own” tote system? Can NYRA just spend $20m?, fix theirs and be “the best”, ala the HD graphics roll out where other tracks got guilted in by first movers.

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@o_crunk I have always wondered why it’s called “handle to purse” ratio when it’s calculated as “purse to handle”? Just one of those things? Everyone knows what it really means? GP slipping but still decent ratios compared. Agree?

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@InsideThePylons So are they? Are they going through that work around?

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@o_crunk Is there any legal issue with Repole & Friends (R&P) starting their own “registry”? If they could get, say NYRA, to honor a foal registered by TJC and/or R&P, could that be a thing? Slowly pull power from TJC. Stinks of the rating firms (S&P, Moody’s) and ripe for disruption

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@PaulMattiesJr @KarlBroberg @TwinSpires @SHRP Exactly what I was going to ask…

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@o_crunk So true. Nobody will say it but does “responsible euthanizing” ever become a talking point or is that a bridge too far regarding the “social license”…and even the uttering of it means a swift end to horse racing. The math is the math. There are not homes for all of them.

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@o_crunk I am only asking if you have any suggestion for Santa Anita to stay open long term (other than lower takeout to 5%). Is it just a lost cause and they should shut it down? That’s my position, it’s not a business worth operating no matter how smart one is. Do you agree?

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@JohnLeFevre “Zero sense of urgency “…that’s the bit. Even if you are picking up the Racing Form off the company printer “walk fast” to do so…

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@o_crunk Again, you are a smart guy, I have observed as such thru the years…what say you is ONE possible remedy instead of standing in line and bi$ching? Hold the state hostage and lower takeout (sigh..). Something please….

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@RepoleStable Mike - Agree. Replied to @stoolpresidente saying perhaps your real leverage is your “sales handle”. You and a select few others could hit ‘em where they care by threatening to boycott their sales until the 2/5 MTP rule is inststed. They (KEE) DO care about their sales #s.

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@stoolpresidente Agree. Perhaps your real leverage is not leveraging your “ handle” but your “sales handle”. You, Repole and a few others get together and tell Keenland you will not be at their sales until they introduce a 5 PTP cut off. Hit ‘em where it hurts. They care about their sales #s

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@jeremygiffon TVs. If you are in your 40’s and want to feel good about your station in life, just go TV shopping. A big TV used to cost a pallet. Now…you just say “load up that big one and send me a bill”. Not sure if that’s good or bad….

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@sawingwood @The_RyanWallace Nailed it. If he wanted to run he could run. What are they going to do if he runs…sit him? He just does not have any contact courage. It’s ok, but at some point you just call it what it is. Runs 23 mph and plays at 13 mph.

[Bix Ellenbecker @bixellenbecker]

@FrankMirahmadi By chance did you have “Easy Peasy, My Mane Squeeze” on your call list if she won by lengths?