News reports indicated that the gifted turf writer left with the dignity of awareness, and in the presence of some who shared significant moments of his life and appreciated his worth. That’s crossing the finish line as a winner, in my book.
By definition, to muse is to “say something in a thoughtful and questioning way.”
The thoroughbred racing musings of Paul Moran often differed from those of his contemporaries in both tone and detail. He frequently appeared independent of the authority others seemed subservient to.
Perhaps some of those still surviving wonder whether that was achieved through abundant will power or the absence of concern for consequences.
I’ll remember Mr. Moran as a professional who was very kind to an anonymous amateur whom he had unknowingly inspired. His words weren’t just enlightening and entertaining, they were enriching like art. Some musicians are gifted with perfect pitch ... Paul Moran produced perfect prose.
Until I began reading his work a little more than a decade ago, I’d never felt the urge to write creatively. The Internet enabled access here on the West Coast to those Newsday articles from the East Coast, and eventually facilitated contact as well.
Indeed, one of the more compelling aspects of the switch from the print medium to cyberspace has been the ability of readers to interact with authors.
In 2008, I submitted several opinion pieces for his blog’s Weekend Guest feature. After initially requesting a bio, he published them all after very brief acknowledgements. He became only slightly more expansive when I later thanked him for giving me credibility with other bloggers.
Some of his own pieces that he posted on his blog were published here at HRI, where he was featured along with other talented turf writers including Bill Christine, John Pricci, and Vic Zast. Moran previewed the comments on his own site, but the freedom of speech at this one too often rewarded him with petty abuse. He stayed above it all, publicly, and ignored his detractors.
Having since learned how it feels when they “shoot the messenger,” it was with great satisfaction that I saw my personal admiration for his work so widely mirrored in the myriad of comments throughout cyberspace in the month following his passing.
What I felt was missing from early accolades, however, was appreciation for his fearlessness in expressing disdain for circumstances and individuals that detracted from the game’s integrity and stability. Without writers like Moran to help hold the line, racing’s propensity for self-inflicted damage might have reached critical mass even sooner.
Eventually I encountered a piece by Michael Veitch who wrote the following while noting Moran’s death in the Saratogian: “A veteran of the war in Vietnam, he loved New York racing and always saw the big picture, while never hesitating to criticize those whom he felt were not working in its best interests.”
In his book “Six Weeks in Saratoga,” HRI blogger Brendan O’Meara’s description of a news conference held by then CEO Charles Hayward included this reference to Moran:
‘The closer to New York, the grouchier the racing press gets. Hayward thought that award–winning columnist Paul Moran, formerly of Newsday, used to puncture him. Moran sliced into NYRA after the 2005 Belmont Stakes that NYRA “almost gleefully picks the pockets of those who remain interested in actually attending the races on days when they sense a demand.”
Hayward said, “We are always reluctant to raise our prices.” To which Moran continued, “Can NYRA completely mess up Saratoga too? Tough assignment, but not out of the realm of possibility.”’
I can only imagine Moran’s response to new NYRA CEO Chris Kay’s recent announcement of planned admission price increases at Saratoga and Belmont. The photographs of Moran were not always flattering but I‘m far more likely to remember the pictures he painted with his words. I hope he was a Don McLean fan, and allow me this:
As drug-free racing horsemen forsake
While states impose excessive take
A player couldn’t get a fair shake
The day the musings died
So I’ll be singin’ bye-bye, All-American Guy
With the lighting in your writing
One could read the truth by
The glimpses you gave of those sitting on high
Proved that changing the status quo we must try
Even more musings: Discussion here can become addictive, the real danger being the possibility of deluding oneself that horseplayers can be motivated to join together in sufficient numbers to effect changes in racing’s status quo to their common benefit.
It would seem that old horseplayer advocates don’t fade away, they have to be carried out; especially since we have more to say as age advances. After several years of regular and sometimes adversarial interaction with featured bloggers and fellow readers in the comments section here, I submitted an opinion piece to HRI’s Executive Editor, Mr. Pricci. Fortunately for me he not only has extended me the same kindness that his friend and colleague had but his own friendship as well.
I wanted to find out if support could be mustered at HRI to influence long-needed change to Kentucky Derby eligibility rules. The project evolved into a weekly comparison of proposed points-based eligibility rankings with the existing one based on earnings as the qualifying process proceeded along the road to the 2012 Triple Crown.
Our efforts ultimately were rewarded when Churchill Downs decided to replace its earnings-based eligibility system with a points-based system of their own design.
Of course, we can only speculate as to the extent we actually influenced this action but hopefully it will encourage others to step forward here and keep the recreational player’s perspective in front of racing’s leadership.
This forum needs continually fresh ideas, and those with the topics, tools, and training should take the opportunity to do so. I believe devoted, recreational fans can make a difference.
In a game that depends upon diversity of opinion, shouldn’t there be more horseplayers seeking a debate than a rebate?
28 Jan 2014 at 03:10 pm | #
I,
The only ones left that perhaps could make for positive change are the fans, and that would be a wonderful tribute to Paul and other turf writers having the courage to speak truth to power if the those ho support all of us would lead those kinds of discussions in the future.
28 Jan 2014 at 09:42 pm | #
JP,
There’s a saying to the effect that, in a democracy, people elect the government they deserve. Perhaps it could also be said that U.S. horseplayers deserve the game they are willing to support.
Maybe there’s a horseplaying Thomas Paine out there somewhere who can reach the masses with a message compelling enough to communicate the urgency of change and mobilize our collective strength. It happened before; it could happen again.
29 Jan 2014 at 12:21 am | #
So, what are the issues you two contributors above want debated?
Little commentary here at HRI is of interest to me, a daily horseplayer. I am informed, though, of the accomplishments of Todd Pletcher; the trainers, jockeys, and horses involved in the week’s stake races; Eclipse award voting; HOTY candidates; new eligiblity rules for a horse race run once a year; that there are only good races that involve quality, while over forty race tracks operate in this country and 50,000 plus races are run each year for the benefit of horseplayers - it appears that 49,950 or so are bad races based on the commentary here at HRI.
29 Jan 2014 at 06:42 am | #
That “49,950 bad races” is your reference, Mr. Corrow, not Indulto’s, and not mine. The latter simply wishes that more horseplayers be engaged, like good citizenship.
Let me repeat: Horseplayers bet more money on the big, important races you seem to despise. That’s fact, not opinion, just check the result charts on a daily or weekly basis.
Since the only thing that interests you is betting on the races, at venues that all but steal your money with their usurious takeout rates, check out the Feature Race Analysis and show us all the error of our ways; the forum is open.
Let’s see how your opinion stacks up. Who knows, maybe your selections will show a profit, you’ll gain a following, and have a website of your own one day?
Have you ever heard the one about being part of the solution or...?
29 Jan 2014 at 07:06 am | #
wmc,
If only it were possible to debate you in a series of alternately presented points and counterpoints, but experience suggests that any exchange with you would quickly degenerate on your end into a recitation of your mantra repeatedly if not religiously.
While it’s easy to envy your energy, eyesight, equity, and mobility as a septuagenarian which enable you to enter your local OTB on a daily basis and engage your band of “toothless sharpies” in the endless separation of the slow from the sloth-like with sub-60 Beyers, not all us find such “opportunities” for investment suitable or even sufficiently stimulating.
Handicapping half-fast horses can be hazardous to the health of one’s bankroll.
Sadly, the increase in stakes races with small fields devoid of competition are now also generating lower levels of interest and enthusiasm on weekends as well.
This could be an opportunity for you to lead by example in promoting interest in non-stakes races. By providing a “play of the day” identifying what you deem the most promising event for profit, and how to exploit it, you might achieve some progress in eliminating your pet peeve.
29 Jan 2014 at 08:01 am | #
“Of course, we can only speculate as to the extent we actually influenced this action but hopefully it will encourage others to step forward here and keep the recreational player’s perspective in front of racing’s leadership.”
There is no doubt in my mind that the continued intelligent “musings” of such men as John Pricci, Indulto and, of course, the contributions of the late Cary Fotias, have been the impetus for positive change, in so many ways: Kentucky Derby eligibility; (2) reduced takeout; (3) implementation of Trakus at the NYRA; (4) .50 Tri and Pick 5 at NYRA; the lasix plague; and so much more.
Don’t ever sell yourself short. I’m sure there are so many others who feel the same way. Wish I could be a Thomas Paine instead of Teddy Pain, but all too often selfishness gets in the way.
Keep up the good work and don’t foget to send it in.
TTT
29 Jan 2014 at 11:23 am | #
As a follower of both thoroughbred and standardbred racing, I would like to see the NTRA do what the USTA has done.
Every day of the week, I can go to USTROTTING.COM and download (under the Handicapping Tab) free past performances for Pick 4’s and Pick 5’s at select tracks as part of the Strategic Wagering Program.
The USTA is partnering with individual tracks to provide guaranteed minimum pools (big and small). The choice of tracks changes from day to day and week to week depending on who’s running. But, every day there are usually 2 or 3 tracks to choose from. The past performances are the top of the line ones from Trackmaster, just like the ones I buy at BRISNET.
Participating tracks include, or have included, big tracks like The Meadowlands and Balmoral with larger guaranteed pools, but, also smaller tracks like Pompano Park and Yonkers with smaller guarantees.
The sequence at the big tracks usually encompasses feature races. There’s something for all types of fans (wmcorrow types included).
If you don’t like Pick 4’s or 5’s, there’s usually Pick 3’s within the sequence, or you could just bet the individual races separately if you don’t like multi-race wagers.
How about if the NTRA partnered with their big and small tracks to do the same thing?
You could have daily choices of Aqueduct, Gulfstream or SA, as well as Parx and Finger Lakes - or whoever wanted to participate.
I think it’s a win/win for everyone involved, from tracks to the NTRA to pp providers to us, the fans and supporters of the sport.
29 Jan 2014 at 04:51 pm | #
Denny, I will have a (hopefully) pleasant surprise for you soon.
WMC, I think that in seven years, I analyzed races from SoCal--excluding Breeders’ Cup and Santa Anita--perhaps two or three times.
As a rule, no Baffert spoken here unless it’s TC, BC, or if he ships East. Just wanted to mention that for the record.
I’ll be downloading when Gulf PPs for Saturday become available momentarily; I’ll mention your name.