Campbell's Vision

The idea of a standardbred racing commissioner, or Czar, has floated around the industry for many years now

. In an article today by The Guelph Mercury, John Campbell stated that there isn't a snowball's chance that it will happen. He did offer The Guelph Mercury hypothetical ideas which would be key if he were at the reins of the North American industry.

Though, Campbell stated before the hypothetical topic is even broached that it would be next to impossible to get governments to give up any control of the industry in its various jurisdictions. "And, unfortunately, it doesn't matter what country you're in, the more government is involved the less common sense you get," he stated.

Campbell also indicated that once slot machines were introduced to racetracks, horsemen lost their leverage as it relates to negotiations; therefore horsemen have to play nice with tracks and racing organizations because they cannot afford not to.

The Guelph Mercury article outlined just some of Campbell's key ideas if he were, hypothetically, to be the Czar.

• Rules and licensing revamped by round-table group, then made universal.
• North American judges placed under national umbrella groups in both countries; paid better; moved around to tracks more frequently; held more accountable for decisions, and be forced to explain those decisions nightly to the public.
• All industry participants to contribute small percentage for improved drug testing and enhanced retirement programs for racehorses.
• All tracks contribute small amount to boost purses of the sport's two premier events: the Little Brown Jug and the Hambletonian.
• Race secretaries better paid; held more accountable for mistakes made.
• Racetracks mandatorily contract with top-of-the-line restaurant chains to improve the on-track food.

(With files from The Guelph Mercury)