Horse Industry

End embargo against Iraq and help rebuildHow grateful we can be for people such as Ellen Barfield, who uncovered the tragedy behind words like sanctions and embargo ("She gives peace a chance," Feb. 16).If evil always wore the same face, we probably would recognize it for what it is -- an attempt to present itself as good.In 1996, UNICEF found that 4,500 children were dying each month as a result of malnutrition, lack of medical supplies and public health disasters.The embargo is hardening the will of the Iraqi people against the United States, not Saddam Hussein.

Thanks for aid to research shipyard's rootsThe Steward Colonial Shipyard Foundation would like to publicly express our sincere appreciation to Anne Arundel County and County Executive John G. Gary for their generous grant of $25,000 to our foundation.In 1991, the remains of an 18th-century colonial shipyard was discovered at the headwaters of the West River. This site played a critical role in the development of our colonial history and in Maryland's participation in the Revolutionary War.Archaeological investigation of the shipyard will add significantly to our knowledge of Anne Arundel County culture and heritage.

The horse industry in Maryland is a $1.5 billion business that provides 20,000 jobs, according to a yearlong study by a Washington research firm.Conducted by the Barents Group, an economics and fiscal consulting firm with no ties to the horse industry, the study determined that 82,900 Marylanders participate in the industry as owners, employees, volunteers or providers of goods or services.An earlier volume of the study focused on the horse industry nationwide. It reported that 7.1 million Americans are involved to varying degrees, that the industry produces goods and services valued at $25.3 billion and that it provides the equivalent of 338,500 full-time jobs.

Annapolis chamber plans trade show on May 23The Greater Annapolis Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its "Great Business Exchange," a trade show, from 10 a.m. to 5: 30 p.m. May 23 at Loews Annapolis Hotel.The speaker will be Anne Arundel County Executive John G. Gary. Seminar topics include "Doing Business on the Internet," "Nine Steps to the Perfect Market Plan" and "Growing Your Home Based Business."For information on renting a booth, call 268-7676.Cable program to feature impact of horse industry"It's Good Business," the cable television program produced by the Anne Arundel Trade Council and Jones Communications, will feature "The Horse Industry's Impact on Our Economy" this month.

The horse industry in the United States is roughly the same size -- in terms of value of goods and services produced -- as the clothes-manufacturing and motion-picture industries, according to a yearlong study by a Washington research firm.Conducted by the Barents Group, an economics and fiscal consulting firm in Washington with no ties to the horse industry, the study determined that 7.1 million Americans are involved to varying degrees with the 6.9 million horses in this country.The study "validates what we in the horse industry have long known," said James J. Hickey Jr., president of the American Horse Council.

Slot machines good for racing, not just Joe De FrancisAs a participant in the Maryland horse racing industry, I have followed with interest the recent stories concerning the alleged illegal campaign contributions by track operator Joe De Francis and the removal of Maryland Racing Commission Chairman Allan Levey, reportedly due to an unreported loan from a horse owner.In both The Sun's coverage and that of other local media, it has been notable that the question of the impact of these situations on the racing industry's desire for slot machines at the tracks has been a continuous theme.

THE MOST INSPIRING athlete from Maryland these days? His name starts with a "C," he was born in Harford County and he has a streak going, but it isn't Cal Ripken. It's Cigar, the 5-year-old thoroughbred seeking his 12th straight win today at the Breeders' Cup Classic at Belmont Park.Although his owner hails from Kentucky and his trainer is in New York, Cigar was born in Maryland, at Country Life Farm near Bel Air. His success has become a rallying point for those who feel the state's historic connection to horse racing shouldn't be trampled by a rush toward casinos.

A recent article titled "Study calls for low-cost housing" was factual as written; but the subhed, "Brown says it would cost county too much," inadequately summarized my views.No one, including myself, would reasonably argue that the housing needs of families earning moderate incomes of $45,000- $50,000 shouldn't be addressed. My comments, made during the meeting described in the article, were directed to the assembled members of the Carroll County Homebuilders Association and were an admonition that if they are to continue mass-producing low- to moderate-priced housing in Carroll County, then they will have to further shoulder the burden of providing needed schools, roads, etc.The plain fact of the matter is that any house taxed at a value of less than $250,000, on average, generates less in tax revenue than the cost of services provided to the house's occupants.

If anyone needed proof that the economy is improving, at least in the horse industry, he had to look no further than the sales pavilion at Timonium Fairgrounds.For nine straight hours Sunday and seven hours Monday, several hundred people packed the arena and spent more than $2 million on 403 thoroughbreds of all ages."It speaks well for what's going on in [the industry] in this area," said T. Mason Grasty, executive vice president of the Fasig-Tipton auctioneering company that conducted the sale.

Preliminary data have been released on the University of Maryland's seven-county horse survey taken in Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties.The survey was to assess the composition, characteristics and economic impact of Maryland's equine industry.Almost 17,000 questionnaires were sent to households and private stables that were on more than 300 lists obtained from equine organizations. The response rates were 17.2 percent from households and 42.2 percent from stables.

When Gov. Martin O'Malley announced his support for legalized gambling not long after his election, he did so on a Glyndon stud farm beside Tim Porter, whose struggling horse transportation business was extolled as the kind of small business that slots revenues would help preserve. Slot-machine parlors are finally on their way to Maryland, but they won't be Porter's salvation. In March, he declared bankruptcy, losing his 20-year-old business, a Westminster home and modest dreams of economic self-sufficiency.

After working in the horse industry for nearly three decades, Cricket Goodall, executive director of the Maryland Horse Breeders' Association, is trying to navigate the 700-member organization through the most perilous of times for the state's thoroughbred interests. With Magna Entertainment - the Canadian-based owner of Maryland's two racetracks and the Preakness Stakes - filing for bankruptcy protection this month, the state's thoroughbred horse farms face an uncertain future. If there is no viable racing outlet in Maryland, that will accelerate the exodus of farms and horses to nearby states such as Pennsylvania, where racing industries are already bolstered by slot machine revenues.

Horses are good for Maryland farms, and slots are good for the state's horse industry. This is the reasoning behind the state's largest agricultural lobbying organization's recent decision to throw its support behind the slots referendum that is on the ballet in the Nov. 4 election. "If passed, the slots proposal will bring much-needed income to the state and will bolster our equine and farm businesses," said Mike Phipps, president of the Maryland Farm Bureau, which represents more than 30,000 farm families in the state.

Alonso shines light on graduation woes Some people might have read The Sun's headline "Colleges report dismal results" (Oct. 24) with sadness, frustration and more than a little anger. A more reasonable response would be to honor the courageous folks who chose to make this data public. Kudos to city schools CEO Andres Alonso for using the school board meeting as a forum to raise an issue that should concern and engage all citizens of Baltimore, whether or not a public school student resides in their home.

It's been a lonely year for the studs on Maryland horse farms. The state's breeding operations, which have traditionally helped keep Maryland racing in a class above its neighbors, have seen a rapid drop-off since Pennsylvania began heavily subsidizing its racing industry through slot machine proceeds this year. As higher purses lure better horses to neighboring states, Maryland breeders worry that one of the financial underpinnings of the horse industry - as well as a distinctive feature of the state's identity - may be on shaky ground.

Recently, the Maryland State Lottery introduced Racetrax, a new video game, at some 1,500 restaurants, bars, convenience stores and other easy-to-find places where gamers can bet on computer-animated horse races. The lottery's Web site claims Racetrax "offers the thrill of being at the track with the payout and prizes similar to live horse betting." Wonderful. Standardbred and thoroughbred owners and trainers are already handicapped because tracks in surrounding states are able to use slot machines.

When the first Pennsylvania slot machine casino opens Tuesday, the carnival jingling of the machines at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs racetrack will be music to the ears of that state's horsemen. But with each spin of the reels, some in Maryland will hear another nail being driven into the coffin of the racehorse industry here. Pennsylvania's thoroughbred and standardbred industries expect to net about nine cents of every dollar of slots revenue. When Pennsylvania's 14 slots casinos are fully operational, that could mean as much as $270 million of additional cash for the horse industry under the most optimistic projections.

Chesapeake City -- The future of Maryland horse racing is written inside the black book Eli Scott Jr. holds in his meaty hands. Don't bother reading it if you like happy endings. "There's not a Maryland-sired horse in here," he drawls, flipping through pages. Scott, a 45-year-old trainer who's built like a blacksmith, rents most of a 40-acre farm on the outskirts of this historic town in Cecil County. Plush, green countryside unspools in all directions, cross-hatched with dark fences and presided over by stately tall trees blessed with stage presence.

The Maryland Racing Commission gathered at David Hayden's Safely Home Farm, a division of Dark Hollow Farm, in Baltimore County yesterday and announced its new initiative, "KIM," as in "Keep It in Maryland." The "It" is the horse industry, everything from the breeders and owners to the farms and the good environment the industry creates with its commitment to open space. Commission chairman John McDaniel, secretary James Fielder and KIM task force chairman John Franzone stressed the importance of educating the legislature and the public about the impact the industry has with its 20,200 horse farms that provide jobs for more than 20,000 workers and cover 685,000 acres - nearly 10 percent of the land in Maryland.

As mayor of Annapolis, I have a great appreciation for two integral parts of our heritage - the maritime industry and horses. It was our harbor that brought our first settlers and made us a commercial trading center. It was also here that horse racing began in the American colonies, and a great Maryland tradition of breeding was established. Times have changed for both. Annapolis is no longer a shipping port or a transportation hub. And horses have not raced here for years. Both industries have evolved, but they haven't died.