Alan Balch looks into the hope that every cloud currently hanging over California racing has the silver lining every race follower is praying for. With more racetracks closing and trainers unable to make a living the long term future of California racing is looking doubtful.
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Are we shooting messengers?
Read MoreWith the closure of iconic Hollywood Park, the sport is relying on hope even more. This year could be critical.
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THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN - NORTH AMERICAN TRAINER - ISSUE 29
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THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN - NORTH AMERICAN TRAINER - ISSUE 27
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Author: Alan Balch
A year ago in this issue, I undertook to describe the state of North American racing in the years leading up to the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984, as well as its true genesis.
But what about its evolution since then, and its future?
Although it’s hard to imagine racing now without it, to a great extent the Breeders’ Cup as we know it today mirrors and embellishes both its flaws and its sporting greatness.
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THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN - NORTH AMERICAN TRAINER - ISSUE 26
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Author: Alan F. Balch
Oh, no,” I can hear you saying to yourself, “not another essay about impending doom.”
But if you have anything to do with racing, any kind of even passing interest in it, you would have to be living under a rock not to have been aware of and thought about the relentless attack on it we’re seeing in national media, led by The New York Times, whose editorial writers condemned it as “this disreputable sport.”
Alan F. Balch - (Issue 25 - Summer 2012)
In my academic and theoretical years, which were many, I was always fascinated by the tensions between short-term and long-term thinking and acting, as well as by the contradictions between words and deeds. It seemed to me then (and still does) that when things don’t make sense in the real/practical world, the root causes could often be found in those tensions and contradictions.
Alan F. Balch - (Issue 24 - Triple Crown 2012)
With HBO now airing the super-hyped new series "Luck"featuring Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte, and Dennis Farina, created and written by David Milch, directed by Michael Mann, we're in for more than our share of introspection. (And extro-spection, if there is such a thing.) For me, the real stars just have to be the horses, and that "Art Deco" splendor, Santa Anita herself, as the New York Times described racing's California grande dame.
Alan F. Balch CTT Executive Director (Spring - Issue 23)
OUR latest weapon of choice in racing’s circular firing squad is a so-called "debate" over medication. Having recently attended two days of leadership meetings at Belmont Park in June about this subject, I was scratching my head more than ever. What is the impetus for "banning all race day medication"? How has this become the latest subject to besiege the sport?
Alan Balch
(25 July 2011 - Issue Number: 21)
In 1971, when I first joined the staff at Santa Anita right out of graduate school, the term "marketing" had never been applied to racing, anywhere in the world. I was handed the title of Director of Public Relations, and had been coming to the office for just a couple of weeks when Hollywood Park drew over 70,000 fans for its card on Memorial Day.
Alan F. Balch - CTT Executive Director (20 October 2010 - Issue 18)
