When the Ben Franklin Final went to the gate at Pocono Downs on July 2, driver Tim Tetrick said, “I’m so glad I get to drive State Treasurer, but part of me wants to sit on the sidelines and watch these great horses go battle. It could set up to be the best race that harness racing has ever seen, in my opinion.”
Tetrick is not alone. The harness racing world has been buzzing since the beginning of the season about the battle between Always B Miki, Wiggle It Jiggleit and Freaky Feet Pete. Of course, having other remarkable horses also in the older pacing division fray, including local stars like State Treasurer and Shamballa, adds to the drama.
As I hear the talk, and Internet buzz, I can’t help but think that this year feels different, and quite frankly it’s quite refreshing. In grandstands, simulcast outlets and in paddocks across North America, we’ve been consumed the last few years with talk of politics and off-track concerns. Purse money, policy changes and upheaval in leadership has hit this industry hard, in numerous jurisdictions, and people have been left wondering about the future of racing.
These concerns are real, and not going away any time soon. We need strong leadership and vision to grow the industry and ensure that it thrives.
At the same time, we have desperately been in need of an on-track battle that stirs emotions and reminds us why we are fans of this sport in the first place. Hearing people debate whether Always B Miki is better than Wiggle It Jiggleit feels infinitely better for the mind and soul than hearing those same people argue Conservative versus Liberal or Republican versus Democrat.
Being able to compare today’s horses to the best of all time is something that drives our interest in racing, and that is contagious. We should never forget that the thrill of the sport and the competition of athlete versus athlete is what we are about. Fans cheer and bet on who will beat who in a race, and what we are presenting to them is ultimately about entertainment.
When most of us turn on the Olympics this month from Rio, we will be able to set aside the politics of the games. We will watch because we’re witnessing the best. In addition to following athletes from our own countries, we will pay close attention to those sports where something special is likely to happen – where history might be made, and where the best of all time could be crowned.
Whether it’s Usain Bolt versus Justin Gatlin or Always B Miki versus Wiggle It Jiggleit, the premise is the same, and the anticipation is exhilarating. We need our champions to be stars, and we need our challengers to be so good that we never really know who’s going to win. We need to remember why we love this sport, and enjoy every moment of it.
This is a special summer for harness racing, and the drama is happening where it’s supposed to – on the track. Enjoy it!
Darryl Kaplan
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