HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: Grandstand Handicapper on November 16, 2025, 02:15:27 PM
-
https://paulickreport.com/features/in-their-care/kirkpatrick-co-presents-in-their-care-back-in-the-u-s-trainer-jimmy-jerkens-at-a-crossroads
I get that he's a t-bred trainer, and maybe I wouldn't think about it if I hadn't met the guy-----and his dad-----but this is going on in the harness game too. Even more perhaps with harness racing with the current state of affairs. When I think about the harness game, way back in the day, I can't help but think about Dave Elliott. A truly great horseman, but just not a people person. When he was on top, people were sending him horses. Forget about soliciting and talking to owners, he didn't like talking to people, LOL. But a great horseman. His cousin, Steve Elliott, was a bit similar in that respect. Some excellent trainers just don't like, can't do, whatever, the business side of training.
-
https://paulickreport.com/features/in-their-care/kirkpatrick-co-presents-in-their-care-back-in-the-u-s-trainer-jimmy-jerkens-at-a-crossroads
I get that he's a t-bred trainer, and maybe I wouldn't think about it if I hadn't met the guy-----and his dad-----but this is going on in the harness game too. Even more perhaps with harness racing with the current state of affairs. When I think about the harness game, way back in the day, I can't help but think about Dave Elliott. A truly great horseman, but just not a people person. When he was on top, people were sending him horses. Forget about soliciting and talking to owners, he didn't like talking to people, LOL. But a great horseman. His cousin, Steve Elliott, was a bit similar in that respect. Some excellent trainers just don't like, can't do, whatever, the business side of training.
I wonder whatever happened to Dave last I heard he went back to Michigan
-
Uber/Lyft in Florida. Not going to get into it. But Dave's issue's were more then his personality.
-
Uber/Lyft in Florida. Not going to get into it. But Dave's issue's were more then his personality.
I agree on Dave's issues
-
https://paulickreport.com/features/in-their-care/kirkpatrick-co-presents-in-their-care-back-in-the-u-s-trainer-jimmy-jerkens-at-a-crossroads
I get that he's a t-bred trainer, and maybe I wouldn't think about it if I hadn't met the guy-----and his dad-----but this is going on in the harness game too. Even more perhaps with harness racing with the current state of affairs. When I think about the harness game, way back in the day, I can't help but think about Dave Elliott. A truly great horseman, but just not a people person. When he was on top, people were sending him horses. Forget about soliciting and talking to owners, he didn't like talking to people, LOL. But a great horseman. His cousin, Steve Elliott, was a bit similar in that respect. Some excellent trainers just don't like, can't do, whatever, the business side of training.
After reading this article I always thought Tony Alagna working for Erv was perfect match for Tony is all salesman and like him or not Erv is an excellent horseman, night and day better than Tony but they were perfect fit.
-
After reading this article I always thought Tony Alagna working for Erv was perfect match for Tony is all salesman and like him or not Erv is an excellent horseman, night and day better than Tony but they were perfect fit.
Excellent point. Tony was the PR guy, and was far more comfortable dealing with owners, relationship management, etc.-----and I know some of the owners were more comfortable dealing with Tony than Erv.
Way back it was similar with David Rovine and Joe Holloway. David was 1000% salesman, the ultimate promoter. Joe was the horseman. When Joe went on his own, the Rovine model just fell apart. Joe of course had to become the lead guy, do more PR, relationship management, and turn into a salesman a bit, and he did. He learned, LOL.
-
Excellent point. Tony was the PR guy, and was far more comfortable dealing with owners, relationship management, etc.-----and I know some of the owners were more comfortable dealing with Tony than Erv.
Way back it was similar with David Rovine and Joe Holloway. David was 1000% salesman, the ultimate promoter. Joe was the horseman. When Joe went on his own, the Rovine model just fell apart. Joe of course had to become the lead guy, do more PR, relationship management, and turn into a salesman a bit, and he did. He learned, LOL.
Joe has always been a great ambassador for the sport. Great trainer.
-
Joe has had many positives during his time. Wouldnt call that a great ambassador.
-
Excellent point. Tony was the PR guy, and was far more comfortable dealing with owners, relationship management, etc.-----and I know some of the owners were more comfortable dealing with Tony than Erv.
Way back it was similar with David Rovine and Joe Holloway. David was 1000% salesman, the ultimate promoter. Joe was the horseman. When Joe went on his own, the Rovine model just fell apart. Joe of course had to become the lead guy, do more PR, relationship management, and turn into a salesman a bit, and he did. He learned, LOL.
Well said
-
Joe has had many positives during his time. Wouldnt call that a great ambassador.
all great trainers did. I can remember owners following Pelling and Crogan around like they were the second coming little did
they know came out of a box of baking soda.
-
Haughton, Dancer, Sholty, and other greats had positive tests. What for, to what extent, and much more subjective thinking is the real issue. I know owners who said they would never give a horse to Burke. I know others who have given him horses and praise him like who knows what. The same was said about Robinson, Artandi, Steve Elliott, Pelling, Croghan, and can be said about many trainers. I never heard people say that about Chuck Sylvester. Nor about Ray/Larry Remmen. I guess it's about where it your vomit point. LOL.
-
Haughton, Dancer, Sholty, and other greats had positive tests. What for, to what extent, and much more subjective thinking is the real issue. I know owners who said they would never give a horse to Burke. I know others who have given him horses and praise him like who knows what. The same was said about Robinson, Artandi, Steve Elliott, Pelling, Croghan, and can be said about many trainers. I never heard people say that about Chuck Sylvester. Nor about Ray/Larry Remmen. I guess it's about where it your vomit point. LOL.
all the great trainers pre raced maybe not to the extent they do now, but they all tried to get an advantage.
-
There was a guy years ago selling a shot 10cc of prerace he called White Lightning. I'm sure local Delaware and Maryland guys knows who I'm talking about. Trainers were buying this preface like no tomorrow including me. Then I got a shot, it was the last shot from that bottle so he just ripped the label off and said here. Well he didn't get all the label off and I discovered his 100 shot of White Lightning was Flucort! You can buy the bottle at that time for 50 bucks! And that was a100 cc bottle!
-
There was a guy years ago selling a shot 10cc of prerace he called White Lightning. I'm sure local Delaware and Maryland guys knows who I'm talking about. Trainers were buying this preface like no tomorrow including me. Then I got a shot, it was the last shot from that bottle so he just ripped the label off and said here. Well he didn't get all the label off and I discovered his 100 shot of White Lightning was Flucort! You can buy the bottle at that time for 50 bucks! And that was a100 cc bottle!
vets made a fortune pre-racing this is before Pelling and Crogan started with the tube.