The Murray State News Blogs

So I was watching the news last night, as I usually do, and they had a brief about the flooding in Fargo, North Dakota. I was already familiar with the story. Snow melting, rain and spring temperature caused the river to raise water levels in the river to more than 40 inches above normal. The mayor of Fargo declared a state of emergency, and asked for several thousand pounds of sand bags to line the river banks.

I’ll admit, at first this story was only mildly interesting to me. Even though I felt sympathetic to their cause, they seem distant and far away. Then the broadcast cut to a shot of volunteers in the “Fargo Dome.” It showed 50 or so workers surrounded by huge mounds of sand. They were scooping piles of sand with what looked like garden shovels into plastic bags. There were moms, dads, kids, young, and old working in the brightly lit stadium. They were all hard at work, hunched over their mound, scooping.

Okay, so you may be thinking, yeah… so what? That is how you re-enforce a river bed, with sandbags. I guess for some reason, I imagined FEMA rolling in with guns blazing. I thought in a state of emergency the government would come in with trucks of sandbags, plop them on the riverbed and leave. It’s their job right?

The “Fargo Dome” makes all the difference. These volunteers stood up and said I can help save my city. I don’t care if it’s not my home, my yard, my life. It’s my city and I’ll help protect my neighbor’s yard, home and life. They didn’t wait for someone else to do it. They didn’t wait for the government to swoop in and save them, because admittedly it would have been much too late.

 I felt like the idea of collaborative leadership finally clicked. It’s much more about offering services and asking what you can do to help, rather than trying to problem-solve from the top down. Did the Mayor of Fargo have to use a combination of leadership techniques, such as situational, in steering his city away from a natural disaster? Of course, but collaborative leadership, the kind of leadership which engages a whole community, was the key to his success.

I kept trying to view leadership from a traditional standpoint, but really collaborative leadership turns the very concept of leadership upside down. We can all be so inspirational. It’s the little things that grow and pick up momentum and eventually effect positive change.

Take recycling for example. I am going to try to set a good example and start recycling. This could in turn inspire my roommates to begin recycling. When we take our recycling on campus, maybe other students will see us and this will inspire others to begin recycling. If the recycling demand goes up, maybe the City of Murray will realize investing in a recycling program will benefit the community over the cost it would take to initiate it.

It goes along with systems theory. We live in a complex eco-system, in which each one of us is an interdependent component. In this system we have to exchange resources with and adapt to our environment in order to survive. People act as levers in the system, which have great influence on system processes. It’s so simple, change the levers, change the system, and find positive outcomes. I don’t feel overwhelmed anymore because I am going to make a commitment to start doing the little things and that is a big thing just in itself.

Too bad Well Armed, winner of the $6 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday, isn’t running in the Derby. Because he is six-years-old, he’s not a qualified Derby contender. This makes me wonder … what if the age regulation of thoroughbreds ran in the Derby was to change from 2-year-olds to 5-year-olds and up?I’m sure this change, like the overwhelming change from dirt to synthetic, would rock too many rich guys’ worlds. I guess I’m not educated enough to really understand the pros and cons of this unrealistic change in rules. Nevertheless, I do highly respect the authorities over at Nad Al Sheba in establishing the age range of contenders - 4-year-olds and up only. Well Armed confidently attacked the 10 furlong race (about 1.24 miles), nearly the same distance as the Kentucky Derby. He defeated the favorites (favorite was Albertus Maximus) by about 14 lengths, double that of Curlin’s victory last year. To top it all off, Animal Planet’s Jockeys star Aaron Gryder rode the American horse champion to his victory.

While catching up on some of my pony web surfing, I came across an editorial on Kentucky.com (Lexington Herald-Leader) that irked me. The article suggested the eminent downfall of Kentucky’s horse racing industry. I don’t know if it’s the recession to blame, or just the lack of interest in the sport that’s causing such issues to arise. Hopefully, these and other factors causing the potential decrease in the amount of races ran in Kentucky are due to another force. I hope to God the state of California doesn’t take over Kentucky’s share in the industry. Ellis Park may even shut down next year if purses and wagering numbers do not show a substantial increase. Another problem hindering the success of racing in Kentucky is the laws attempting to hinder gambling – that is the addition of slot machines at race tracks. Does Kentucky’s government not realize this law is absolutely bad news bears for Kentucky’s #1 (but, slowly decreasing) industry? And, betting on horse racing is not exactly considered gambling- it’s monetary wagering. Why not add some slot machines if it will directly benefit our economy? Come on … I don’t think we want to see bored Kentucky residents on a Saturday choose to go to Caesar’s (or another casino) over staying in Kentucky. If gambling is handled tactfully, what the hell is the problem? 

I do not want to see Churchill Downs or Keeneland suffer even more. Is the general public turning its nose up at the industry? Do people even care about racing any more, and instead would rather skim through 500 plus channels instead for entertainment? 

I just learned ESPN - the network that always broadcasts the Kentucky Oaks, one day prior to the Derby - has renounced its coverage of the Oaks. The recovering economy most likely led ESPN executives to the decision. Last year, ESPN allotted 11 hours of Derby week coverage, including three hours of Oaks day coverage. So get this … Bravo! will now air the one-hour coverage of the Oaks. Wow, this trend follows the pathetic trend the Miss America broadcast has recently gone through. Miss America, once the highest ranked television event in history, dropped from airing on ABC primetime to airing on measly TLC. Oh, god! I hope the KY Derby itself stays strong in the money/rankings not to go to, cough, Animal Planet. After all, horse racing is the original king of all sports. Please, please, please KEEP IT THAT WAY.

POST UPDATE: Win Willy paid $115.60 on a $2 win bet. Hopefully, somebody got rich out there. Too bad it was not me.

After just visiting thoroughbredtimes.com I learned Old Fashioned, Derby favorite, was beat by long shot Win Willy at the Rebel Stakes race. This loss may place Old Fashioned out of the number one spot. I’m not sure the track surface of the Stakes, but the change in track surface may have made the difference. This goes to show the unpredictable nature of horse racing.

Today I would like to discuss the chronic complainer. We all know them. Maybe you work with one, and they casually sneak in complaints about the company, your boss, and their uncomfortable shoes over lunch. Maybe they’re at the school PTA meeting shaking one fist in the air and pounding the on a copy of The Scarlet Letter they want banned. Maybe you actually spawned a chronic complainer of your own. A little three-foot-tall version of yourself screaming about their brother looking out one of their windows, and the Tattoo Barbie they wanted at the store.

Admittedly, we all have probably exhibited  similar characteristics from one time or another, but for the purpose of this post I want to focus on the persistent, deep-rooted complainer. Aside from just plain annoying, chronic moaning and malcontent can be very perilous for a community, a government and a nation.

It spreads like a cancer until it’s infected every segment of hope, optimism, creativity and innovation. It breds the perpetually disenfranchised, the helpless. Instead of empowering others, we see them as problems to be fixed. Hungary to be fed. Children to be schooled. Sick to be cured. As Americans we act as customers to our government, our community and our resources, as opposed to participants, citizens, and protectors.

We pay our taxes. We should get exactly what we want. We have bought into this idea that it’s someone else’s responsibility to fix it.  For example, take radio personality and chronic complainer Rush Limbaugh’s comment in response to Obama’s new economic stimulus plan. He said, “I believe his policies will fail, I don’t know, but I hope they fail.”  (See more about it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8eT_eLzdVA and other related videos.)

While, yes, some of his comments may be taken out of context, and yes, I fully believe that we have the right to criticize our government and it’s actions. But if your going to project failure on to our government and it’s economic policies, isn’t that the same as wishing failure on the American people? Instead of just sitting up in an ivory tower placing blame and responsibility on someone else, maybe we could offer other suggestions?  Questioning is much different than criticizing and complaining. Questions seek answers, knowledge and solutions, while complaints seek pity, attention, and problems.

My question is how do we break the cycle of complaints? After some pondering here how I think we can…

• Ask “What can I do to help?”- After that statement sometimes the complainer might be caught off guard. They might say, “nothing,” but they might also really be reaching out for help.
• Point out the Negativity - Many times complainers aren’t even aware of they’re negativity. Tell them how it makes you feel and ask them to tone it down.
• Turn it to the Positive - Help the chronic complainer to brainstorm some ideas for solutions. Focus on what they can do, not want they can’t.
• Peace and quite might mean, Peacin’ Out - Sometimes chronic complainers are a lost cause. Cut your losses and get out of the conversation. Certain people relish complaining, but that doesn’t mean you are obligated to listen.
• Self-Regulate - We all complain from time to time, it does have a cathartic effect at times. The key is to balance it with problem-solving, action and creativity. Remember you create your own reality. Things don’t just “happen” to you. We have a lot more control over our lives than we realize.

Okay, so I pulled this list of Derby contenders from thoroughbredtimes.com:

I’m also feeling Beethoven. He most recently finished third at Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (on February 28 at Gulfstream Park. He’ll be racing March 28 at the $750,000 Florida Derby. We’ll see what happens.

I’m currently in the process of narrowing down my top Derby contenders. Later tonight or tomorrow, I will post my favorites so far.

When I last updated my blog, I wanted to address the issues of owning and raising (ha! what a pun) thoroughbred race horses. I also apologize for my lengthy absence to the blogging world. Shame on me. I want to advise anyone particularly interested in getting involved in racing ownership to checkout such informational sites as the bloodhorse.com and thoroughbredtimes.com. These sites provide great links to stud and breeding farms, as well as training and boarding facilities.

Like I mentioned earlier, I know of several “semi-horse-experienced” people who own percentages of horses. Obviously it helps to know someone in this field to get a good handle. But, for those green-soon-to-be horse owners out there reading, here’s a brief list of steps to acquiring a foot in the equine door:

*** Know that there are three ways to buy a race horse:

A. Through a claim race (This takes patience and much acquired knowledge, so I don’t recommend this as your method unless you really know your stuff!)
B. Through a live auction (The most familiar auction I know of is the seasonal Keeneland auction held in March.)
C. Through a private purchase (For beginning owners, this is the best way to go.)

1. Find/ get in contact with a bloodstock agent. This is a fairly easy task if you live in Kentucky, Virginia or California.These agents know their stuff and will help guide you in terms of how much you’re willing to put down on a particular horse. Also, you need to decide your intentions … is horse racing just a trivial hobby to you? Do you genuinely want to put forth large amounts of money? Are you REALLY a serious horse owner contender?

Here are just a few of the more well-known thoroughbred farms in Kentucky (that I currently know of) to get in contact with:

Hill ‘N’ Dale Farm
4252 Spurr Road ~ Lexington, KY 40511 ~ (859) 255-8290

Lane’s End Farm
Box 626 ~ Versailles, KY 40383 ~ (859) 873-7300

Audubon Farm
P.O. Box 4488, Moore’s Mill Pike ~ Midway, KY 40347 ~ (859) 254-0136

*I must remind myself this everyday when I think about the race horse I want to own one day: During the tenure of the racehorse’s career of racing, a one-on-one relationship is least likely to form between the horse and owner(s). Unfortunately, while your horse is in transit from race to race, the trainer and jockey are really the only two people who experience that “close” bonding (I currently experience with my own horse). But, luckily there’s life after racing for a thoroughbred. This is the time when the thoroughbred has the chance to be adopted or sent to a retirement center. Big Brown is a prime example of a race horse that’s been able to both work hard and play hard - both on and off the track. The Kentucky Derby winner and Triple Crown hopeful now lives a life of luxury and Three Chimney’s retirement facility in Lexington. Right now, Mr. Brown is probably rolling and caking himself in mud in a lush green field and eating as many carrots and peppermints as his heart so desires.

*Also, thoroughbreds make excellent hunter/jumpers, eventers and dressage horses. So, these babies can have quite a post racing life.

2. Find out if you want a filly or gelding/stallion and are you wanting a yearling/colt. Each have pros and cons. You will learn this information along the way once you get in contact with the right people. Typically, male horses compete in the Kentucky Derby. Although, last year at the Derby we witnessed filly Eight Belles come pretty close to winning it all.

3. Depending on how much ownership you purchase, you will have to be willing and ready to put forth a pretty penny. Training fees, trailer fees, hay costs, vet costs, special vitamins cost, etc. will add up very quickly.

4.Don’t forget. If you own  racehorse, you’re expected to attend not only your horse’s races, but other horses races. Attending as many live races and watching as much TVG as possible will only increase your handicapping resume. Louisville offers Churchill Downs and Lexington offers Keeneland. You’ve also got Henderson racetrack, etc. nearby. Granted, you may not have such a horse that will compete in such high stake races at first.

5. Most thoroughbreds are registered in some fashion with the Jockey Club. Also, depending on the commitment of ownership, it will be your or someone elses responsibility to locate  jockey for your particular race. This is a whole different story (Here’s a plug: watch “Jockeys” on Animal Planet every Friday. The reality show gives you a pretty good sense of jockey expectations.)

6. Now, if you have watched any of the above mentioned show, Jockeys, you probably know winning REALLY does mean EVERYTHING (or a whole darn lot!) Obviously, horses advance to bigger stakes and bigger races depending on race finishes. For example, Kentucky Derby contenders - in terms of horses - have been racing hardcore to prep and qualify for this million dollar purse. Yes, these horses are still babies (at two-years-old), but have much training and prep behind them.

GOLDEN RULE: More wins = more success = more money.

*Usually, the winning horse of a given race takes home 60 percent of that race’s purse. This 60 percent is divided among owner(s), trainers and jockey. 20 percent of the purse usually comes to the horse that places (meaning a second place finish), 12 percent to the show horse (third place) and 6 percent to fourth place. The more the horse improves his winning record, the more its claim increases.

7. Read more of my blog to become smarter, wiser, richer, etc. Yeah, I know you want to.