Everyone can argue all they want, about blame, fault, etc. To what end? Solutions do not have to include the blame and fault. If a person is simply a critic, personally, I have no use for that. If they are contributing and they speak to solutions, making progress, that I am all for and support 1000%. At this point Freehold is closing. The lawsuit will probably not change that. While the SBOANJ is looking to hold track ownership "accountable"-----how does that play out? Yes, the SBOANJ alleges that track ownership breached its contractual obligations. I get that. But if the lawsuit doesn't have a strong chance to keep the track open-----then what is this about? Money! Sure, I think it's sad the track is closing. But to prove fault, assign blame, and so on, it is an exercise in futility. We know the sport and the industry must reinvent itself and change. Freehold will close and unless you are part of the solution-----and with Freehold that may simply be about the state money-----you are nothing more than part of the problem. Whatever lessons you learn from Freehold closing, good luck with that.
So, the SBOANJ claims that track ownership owes the SBOANJ hundreds of thousands of dollars. Well, then it's the SBOANJ that represents the horsemen and will fight to get it. That is why the SBOANJ filed the lawsuit and not a bunch of trainers, owners, etc.
The $1.6mm, or whatever the figure was, that was supposed to go to Freehold-----should not go to track ownership-----it should go to the horsemen! This is why the SBOANJ has to represent the horsemen. I don't think the state will cut them a check and say do what you want, but let the SBOANJ represent the horsemen, be the stewards and direct those monies toward for the benefit of the horsemen, and that way the people who were supposed to get it. Period. Right now it's premature to talk about how, a Freehold meet at Gaitway, the Meadowlands, whatever. Secure the monies first and let the SBOANJ do their job.
