After studying and analyzing the long column of stats provided to those of us who are fortunate enough to have the privilege of casting ballots, I did vote for my top three to be considered as the best new rider. I filled in the appropriate blanks, along with those for every other category complete from champion Two-Year-Old Filly to Outstanding Breeder. And I thought that was it.
But then, evidently after a snafu regarding some of the stats and the way they were compiled, the votes were thrown out and we were asked to look over the newly-tallied numbers and repeat the process. I intended to do that, really
.
I felt the responsibility, but couldn’t find the motivation. Yeah, sure; I’ll get to that later, I kept telling myself. Then by the time later rolled around, it was too late. The polls were closed.
After feeling a slight, albeit momentary, tinge of guilt, I have to ‘fess up that I really didn’t care. I apologize to those promising young riders who really coveted that award, and would be happy to do so in person. But I haven’t the foggiest who you are.
I don’t know. Consequently, I don’t care.
Perhaps I’m spoiled. I do live in New Hampshire, after all. In the Granite State, which held its Presidential Primary one day before that second ballot was due, we’re used to that “up close and personal” experience with all of the candidates.
There’s a saying around here that we can’t make up our minds whether to vote for someone running for the nation’s highest office until we’ve met him, or her, at least five times. And one of those encounters had better be at the bean supper and dance over at the American Legion Hall on a Saturday night.
So with knowing nothing much at all about the candidates in the category of Apprentice Jockey, I decided to sit out this dance. For had I cast a ballot, and it would have been relatively easy to play a “pick ‘em” and do so, the decision would have been uniformed.
When I vote for the top three, in order, for each Eclipse Award, it ought to be with every confidence that my selections are the most deserving horses or people in each category. I might be wrong, but I damned well better feel sure.
Steve Crist wrote about the Eclipse Award voting process, and the honor for riders with the bug, in a January 13 column for the Form. As usual, he nailed it when he suggested the time has come for this award to be eliminated, and it would be better for the best apprentice to be honored in another way
.
Add my voice to the rising chorus. For had I cast a ballot, it would have been with an uniformed decision. And that wouldn’t be fair to anyone.
Maybe I didn’t shirk my civic duty after all.
16 Jan 2012 at 05:30 am | #
Lynne,
On a scale of 0-10, with 10 indicating the highest possible level of disagreement, my disagreement with your comments is at least a 12.
With all due respect, if you don’t want to take the time to follow the apprentices, or at least take the time at the end of the year to educate yourself as to their accomplishments, that’s your problem, not mine, or that of the voters who do take the time to do their due diligence.
You have the option of voting ‘abstain’ if you feel “uninformed.” Why do you assume the majority of voters are as “uninformed” as yourself?
I could list all the great riders who have won the apprentice Eclipse over its lifetime. Instead I’ll post a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_Award_for_Outstanding_Apprentice_Jockey
Your argument reminds me of those turf writers who annually rail against Steeplechase racing at Saratoga. They don’t happen to like it, so let’s take it away from everyone, even those who do.
Here is a suggestion. If some Eclipse voters aren’t willing to take the time to be informed about the sport for which they get a ballot, perhaps the solution isn’t to change the award.
Change the voters instead.
Nick Kling
16 Jan 2012 at 06:12 am | #
With respect to Mr. Crist, who was referred to in the article, and his Daily Racing Form, which had been my periodical of choice since I was in diapers, their movement into the wagering arena, and now, their coverage of “harness racing,” based on drumming up even more business, has left me “ragless.” I’ve lost all respect Where are you Morning Telegraph?
Nick, I’m with you on this one. I would add that a category should be added for best “Speed Nit-Wit.”
TTT
16 Jan 2012 at 06:47 am | #
And another thing with respect to making merchandise of my beloved “Sport of Kings,” and for those who believe I’m getting off point, I beg to differ.
It saddens me to think that the attitude that the sport is comparable to “bingo,” “slot machines,” or “the lottery,” and just another way to make a dollar, is now the subscribed to viewpoint of those individuals in management and the press.
Just the other day, I ‘bout near hurled when the live feed from Gulfstream (I believe), was handling a sleazy advertisement for a personal injury attorney. Instead of appurtenant racing information to assist those truly interested in this game, we now have to suffer through a pile of garbage, in hopes that perhaps they might be so kind as to occassionally show exacta payoffs, or current odds. The individuals running the show must not understand, or do not care, that people are wagering real money, not monopoly dollars, on their product, and have no interest in advertisements for ambulance chasers, condom salesman, dating services. I’ve just about had it. Beam me up Scotty!
TTT
ose who treat our sport as though it is a “bingo parlor,” a “numbers game,”
16 Jan 2012 at 09:20 am | #
T, how about those lovelies in the Calder ads? Why not just come out and say, ‘I’ve got your Pick 5 right here.’
16 Jan 2012 at 03:08 pm | #
Nick: I appreciate your comment and your point of view. Thanks for weighing in.