Racing in Kentucky is at a crossroads
All I’ve ever wanted to do is ride race horses. I grew up in Louisiana, but 12 years ago, I moved to Kentucky to be in the middle of the horse racing and breeding capital of the world. Since then, I have seen success I could have never dreamed of — riding horses like Street Sense, Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra and winning the Kentucky Oaks, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.
I get to work at Churchill Downs at 6 a.m. to work horses and help my older brother, Cecil, who is a trainer. I love being around the horses, and I love being around the people who make up this industry. While the public may see me ride in the afternoon for a few minutes at a time, a great deal of my success comes from the efforts of the people on the backside of the track who spend many hours each day with the horses.
There are reasons that Kentucky has been recognized as number one. We have strong race tracks and internationally known races which provide a year round circuit. We have the finest breeding farms and horses in the world. And we have outstanding people who take care of the horses.
No other state has this foundation, but Kentucky is at a crossroads. Our position as the best is slipping. Every other state in the region now helps fund their purses and breeders’ awards with money from alternative forms of gaming.
Let us compete. The governor has called a special session to address VLTs at the state's tracks. If it doesn't pass soon, we will fall way behind, and those all over Kentucky who take care of the horses will have to relocate to other states.
Calvin Borel, jockey, Louisville
God determines Israel’s boundaries
I love The Independent’s opinion page and try to read early in the day the articles on various situations and problems facing the city.
The June 4 letter by John Morris was to me one of great wisdom and of scripture, the Word of God. Genesis is explicit in the territory God gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Isreal) and their descendant, as well as his promise, “I will bless those who bless thee, and I will curse those who curse thee.”
In insisting that Israel relinquish God-given land to Islam, this nation fittingly deserved God’s promise. Former President Jimmy Carter and others, as well as our president today, have shown that they approve of giving all of Jerusalem as an Islamic capital.
Will this ever come to pass? I would suggest reading Ezekiel. Part of it has already come to past, the other will be in the future. God told Ezekiel the Jews would return to its nation. In April, 1948, Israel became a Jewish nation.
Chapters 36 through 39 of Ezekiel have yet to occur. The “intruder” mentioned in these chapters will not defeat Israel for the Messiah — Jesus Christ — will defeat the intruding army and the Jews will then know the identity of their own Messiah. This war has yet to take place.
Ray Roberts, Ashland
Mayor had other priority on Friday
I am responding to comments made by Gareld Kazee in the June 6 story written by Tim Preston on wishing the mayor had attended the First Friday event in downtown.
My wife and I are regulars at First Friday events and were at the car show last month talking to several friends who show their cars on a regular basis throughout the Tri-State. Car shows are always popular and often draw a large crowd and I am aware of the potential benefits of having car shows.
However, I had my priorities Friday night, and I had the honor of attending the graduation ceremonies at Paul G. Blazer High School. Based on what I observed there, our future will continue to be a bright one as we will be in good hands. My congratulations to the PBHS Class of 2009.
Mayor Tom Kelley, Ashland
