Brainstorming Barn
The block of granite, which was an obstacle in the path of the weak, becomes a stepping stone in the path of the strong. - Thomas Carlyle
- The legendary Lewis and Baffert combination gave us many thrills, but more importantly, taught us respect for the sport with dignity, dedication, and love for their champion thoroughbreds.
It’s All About The Sport
At Hollywood Park, we are privileged to share great moments with some of the most respected horse people in the country. Just think of the impact all of them could have if they banded together to support Hollywood Park!
Our racing industry is hurting. What can we do to promote our sport? How can we support horsemen, from owners to trainers to our beloved horses?
If you build it, they will come!
In southern California, we are sitting on a parcel of land called Hollywood Park that is about to be taken away from us. What could we do with this piece of land that would invigorate, support, preserve and promote our sport?
What would happen if all of us came together to use this property for the betterment of California and the West Coast horse racing? Instead of residential homes and a shopping mall, envision a state-of-the-art horse racing facility.
It could be THE DESTINATION for all of the western United States.
Here are some options:
EQUINE SURGERY CENTER/HOSPITAL: Build a state-of-the-art facility - the best of the West - care and treatment for all equine needs. Possibly work with UC Davis and Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center to expand their operations to Hollywood Park. To read about Alamo Pintado, please visit their web site at www.alamopintado.com
CALIFORNIA HORSE PARK: Tear up the parking lots on the north and create pasture area. Build a California Horse Park similar to the Kentucky Horse Park. California desperately needs a retirement home for our thoroughbred Champions! What could be better than showcasing these legends of racing for the public to experience?
CALIFORNIA HALL OF FAME MUSEUM: Compliment the California Horse Park with a California Hall of Fame Museum!
CARE FOR RETIRED RACERS: Retirement for our horses is of utmost importance. Utilize acreage to temporarily stable these wonderful horses until new homes and careers can be found.
OWNER/TRAINER MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS: Educate the public by way of a mentorship program giving qualified individuals the opportunity to choose from a published list of owners/trainers interested in giving guidance and teaching our business.
COLLEGE DEGREES AND RIDING ACADEMIES: Utilize the north end of the Grandstand for classrooms: an extension campus of one of our national colleges that offers a degree in Equine Business Management, a large animal Vet Tech program interning at the equine surgery center, retirement stables, and the Horse Park, a Jockey Academy, and Equestrian riding academies. Include student dormitories. Please view Chris McCarron and the North American Racing Academy video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg9lywiKfnE and 8/24/2010 article regarding national and international expansion of NARA http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/58536/nara-to-grow-mccarron-to-be-lead-instructor.
BACKSIDE IMPROVEMENTS: Invest in the barn area - for southern California weather, barns that would make any trainer drool and owners who would say, “Hollywood Park for my horses!”
OTHER EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATIONS: Offer a portion of the property to other equestrian disciplines who need stalls, training rings, and show arenas. Could the Forum be used for indoor events such as dressage, hunting and jumping, barrel racing, etc?
TRAINING TRACKS: Offer a year-round training facility for all levels of horse racing from first-time yearlings to experienced horses acquainting themselves with synthetic track surfaces. Add a dirt training track on the property.
SHOPS AND EATERIES: Build a mall by the Casino that includes shops and restaurants - a tack shop that will draw horse people from all of California and beyond, a gift shop that has memorabilia from all California history, a Fred Stone art gallery. Restaurants that offer wonderful meals and ambiance on the lines of Morton’s Steakhouse, Turner’s Montana Grill; Cajun, Mexican, and Asian cuisine establishments.
VISITOR HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: Give Hollywood Park visitors the opportunity to stay at Hollywood Park. Build one or two hotels on the Casino side of the property. Invite the Marriott, Hilton, Westin, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, Radisson, Ramada Inn, Sheraton or boutique hotels to open on the property. The hotels could offer everything from a luxury suite hotel to long-stay options.
VISITOR TOUR PACKAGES: Offer Hollywood Park visitors weekend or daily tour packages that includes morning workouts, touring the barn area, the Horse Park and Museum, the Surgery Center and schools, hotel nights and meals, box seats for the races, a chance to be in the Winner’s Circle. Accompanied by a Personal HP Representative who can give history, explain betting, and answer any questions.
EMPLOYEE SENIOR HOUSING: For the many workers who have given their entire lives supporting the horses and the racetrack, and who are now nearing their retirement and have no home to go to when their work is finally done, build a senior living housing complex.
Do you have any ideas? Please give us your suggestions!
How can we get the word out and generate interest to new fans?
How can we get more exposure throught the media?
Do you have connections to market, promote, or support our industry?
Is there a possibility for status as a registered historical landmark?
1) Petition local citizens to tell the city council not to grant entitlements for zoning changes and not to grant permits for destruction. The city holds the key. I understand that the citizens DO NOT want to see the track destroyed. The owner/ developer says they have done “market studies” to determine that destroying the track is what the residents want. I have conflicting information - straight from the citizens. They kept Wal-Mart out, they can save the track.
2) Get Hollywood Park Landmark status. It DOES meet the criteria, although the current owners have said it does not. Their study was incomplete, and the landmarking criteria can be subjective.
3) At least one of the Indian tribes has walked away form it’s compact - this leaves the door open for others to use the “allotted” slot machines. The Gov. needs to recognize how much money could be generated to the state WITHOUT the Indians. They’ve become too strong and are running the government. What happened to “no special interests”?
4) Restructure the percentages of what the ADW’s take vs. what the tracks get. It should be exactly opposite of what it is now. No legislation needed.
5) Lobby some rich horsemen/women to make an offer that cannot be refused to the current owner and get HolPark OUT of the hands of developers.
This is a historical landmark. It is also a burial grounds for for one of the greatest horses in the world. Governor Swartzneggar attended the breeders cup at Santa Anita and he can block the development by declaring Hollywood a State Historical Landmark.
As we know, the industry has to be fixed. Fans do not want to come see horses destroyed and the condition of this track has never been worse. i am afraid they will not fix the surface before the next meet.
We need to get away from emphasizing just the gambling angle as that did not work. We need to make it entertainment such as Del Mar is. There is so much wasted property. A waterpark, stocked fishing lake, rock and roll concerts. A football stadium and more.
First lets get the property listed as an historical site, then work to fix the problem.
I attended the last public hearing regarding the Hollywood Park Redevelopment Project. I was glad to hear that some residents are concerned about the density of this project. Although Sheldon Curry attempted to address this issue, he did not talk about how the proposed density and lot sizes are not consistent with the city’s zoning or general plan regulations. He did not explain the inconsistency and how the proposed amendments will mitigate environmental impacts related to the density, noise, traffic et cetera. In fact, as you may all know the city is fast-tracking to approve amendments to the city’s land use regulations, e;g., rezoning the site and the general plan elements, simultaneously to make the proposed project consistent. Opponents and proponents of the project should carefully question the fast tracking of the amendments to the city’s land use regulations.
Thank you for your comment. My primary intention is to save Hollywood Park, of course. But as a concerned citizen, I am also trying desperately to convey to City Council members that BMLC will promise them anything as long as CC signs on the dotted line. This includes everything from funding the city $1.8 million/year to offset lost tax revenue from the race track, paying $1 million/stoplight at 18-21 intersections, promising to address the parking and school issues, etc. They must unload this property as soon as possible since they paid almost $1 Million per acre! In all my research on BMLC or parent company Stockbridge Real Estate Funds, I cannot find one success story related to any of their developments across the country. And last week, their web sites were both made unavailable “redoing our website” so no more investigation can be done - how convenient!
If LA County alone has 250+ failed/closed/stopped/canceled housing development projects, and if retail sales are down 60%, stores are closing and leaving a third to half of malls and shopping centers empty, then what in the world makes Inglewood City Council think that this project is a good idea?
You are absolutely correct about the fast tracking of this project - BMLC wants to get approvals before any more investigation into their company or analysis of their pretty PowerPoint figures can be done and the City Council members realize that they are being had!!
The housing portion of their plan is not at all what the mayor or council members have in mind obviously - what did they say at the meeting about number of dwellings per acre? Something outrageous like 12-30 per acre - are you kidding me?? Pack ‘em, stack ‘em.
If you are unable to attend the meeting on May 28th to make your comment to City Council, I will be happy to ask someone to read it at the meeting. I hope that you will submit your thoughts in writing to the City Council via mail or fax also.
Did you read the 39-page agreement posted on the Inglewood website last week? Unbelievable that all that’s required is to insert dates and sign??
Admin is going in the right direction here. How when our nation is in a deep recession can BMLC believe they will be able to obtain the financing needed to begin this LARGE project. The major banks in this country have been put under the microscope and need to generate capital to keep the Fed at bay. This from the recent stress test completed by the government on the 19 largest banks. Therefore, banks need to bring money in their door, not put it out. Only the biggest banks will be able to provide these levels of funding and they are struggling with the current mortgage crisis. So they will be lucky to find a single bank that will provide them financing. A project of this size would require several banks to provide the backing needed.
In addition, did anyone mention that the old Bay Meadows is setting in a heap of concrete and steel with no movement on the property since the demolition. If they cannot secure financing for that smaller property and business plan, AGAIN how will they find it for the Hollywood Park project?
The City Counsel needs to consider this proposal only if BMLC can provide guaranteed funds, NOT a conditional approval. This will give the horsemen/fans time to work on a plan to save the facility.
Also, where are ALL the billionaires (owners), why are they so silent. WHere are they, driving their lamborginis, maseratti’s, etc/?! Where are they, 250mill is nothing to them, many are worth well over 5 billion each. One even sits on the CHRB panel. Where are they?, why can’t they bail HP out of this horrible situation which was entirely self inflicted by greedy, workaholic, baby boomers.
Frank, as I see it, (and I could be way off base), we have two conflicts of interest that are polarizing the California racing industry.
First, the owners of Hollywood Park are our worst enemy and are doing everything in their power to run it into the ground so that they can say that the track is losing money. They are not going to keep any horse industry people informed - quite the opposite. They are rushing this project through as quickly and quietly as they can before anyone who may disagree can say or do anything.
Secondly, the TOC has entered a bid to buy Santa Anita. This organization would prefer to have HP closed so that SA will have more racing days. The TOC President has been quoted as saying that he is “at peace with HP being demolished” and so we get no support from them - again, quite the opposite. Everyone has their own agenda and if left alone to their stinky, underhanded, greedy plans, they will prevail. HP will be sacrificed for naught, as I predict that BMLC will demolish the track, then file for bankrutcy and be able to say they have no assets, and then parcelize the property, walk away, and selling to anyone. What will be left on the 238 acres will be another Bay Meadows fiasco. No one can afford to buy the property once it is a pile of nothing.
Your question, “Why are they so silent?” is the question everyone is asking, including the Inglewood City Council. As far as I am concerned, the horse racing industry is plunging into the same abyss as the state of California and will be past the point of no return if they don’t react.
I was reading about the TOC “expressing an interest” in buying SA; the once glorious track of avg. 33K attendence now a paltry ~7-8K attendence. Perhaps, many on the TOC want the demise of HP to monopolize the horse racing industry so the two venues are Del Mar and SA for the higher tier racing in CA. The president of TOC and his lackies need to be FULLY investigated by an independent panel. $$$$ is the primary motivator here. When we are dealing with work-addicted baby boomers that is all they think about—$$$$. I fully agree with you; they will demolish the track, leave barron, then file for bankruptcy protection, and sell it in parcels to suckers. The silence from the horse racing “industry” is deafening. They simply do NOT care about horse racing. They ONLY care about their self serving needs, electing their buddies/nepotism fest and making a killing before they retire to Santa Barbara. Am I way off base here??
TOC President Drew Couto resigned last week. The association is currently accepting applications for the position. One can only pray that the new President will be a strong proponent for the preservation of Hollywood Park and will be a strong voice for the owners.
I do believe that the horse racing industry people care about horse racing. California has been a strong state for the industry until very recently and I surmise that the majority were lulled into complacency until this past year. Only now are they realizing the seriousness of the situation and may be too late to take back control of Hollywood Park.
In 1938, when Hollywood Park was purchased, there were 600 stockholders who invested in the racetrack. Seems to me that there could be many interested parties who could once again come together and get the racetrack out of the hands of a developer and back into the hands of horse racing folks.
Now Richie Shapiro (former CHRB “head”, family in horse business-long time, forced synthetic tracks, mediocre at best “career”) was caught via videotape at HP for felony vandalism of an owners’ jaguar by Inglehood police.
What a disgrace! He keys someone’s car that he is at odds with. What an honorable, ethical man that represented horse racing in Cally?!?!?
This guy is something else. Is there anyone in horse racing that has integrity, that is an outsider, that is honorable??? or is it business as usual, wrong people in wrong positions based on the buddy rule, cronyism, nepotism etc…. that is pne of many reasons why NOTHING will change until a complete top to bottom clean out occurs.
There is a history between Richard Shapiro and Jerry Jamgotchian having contentious and litigious disagreements for a long time. Mr. Shapiro seems to be under a lot of stress and reacted in a very childish manner when he keyed the car.
Jerry Jamgotchian has attended the city council meetings and commented at the meetings every chance that he could, has sent letters and faxes to the mayor and city council members regarding the agreement between the city and HPLC highlighting that the city staff has failed to do the necessary due diligence to confirm that the developer can actually perform under the proposed Development Agreement and meet the financial requirements contained therein, and warning them that they are in essence being had. His efforts are much appreciated by all and because he is a developer, he knows exactly what he is talking about! He REALLY shook up Mr. Meany on June 3rd - Mr. Meany showed up at the June 8th meeting with a ream of paper printouts on Jerry, trying to belittle him, to no avail in my estimation. Jerry was able to say what we have all been trying to tell the city council members and mayor with authority and conviction.
In reviewing the Development Agreement yesterday, I do not see that the city of Inglewood took heed to any of Mr. Jamgotchian’s comments or 14 questions that he asked them.
Thank you Admin; we know Mr. Jamgotchian may rub some the “wrong” way, but kudos to him for having the honor and integrity to tell it like it is based on his professional and personal experience. Rather than being like most sheeple. “Mr. J” would hold Richie Shapiro under the fire constantly scrutinizing his actions and would write copious emails to the CHRB regarding Shapiro’s actions and lack of due diligenence, research, etc…Mr. J knows what he is talking about and those who complain about him are usually government bureaucrats/lackies who are bought in the system.
Per the LA newspapers and other media outlets, Shapiro caused ~$6700 of damage to Mr. J’s jaguar caught on the security cameras, reportedly did the damage, then went back a second time to add to the felony vandalism. Is this who ran the CHRB show?!? First with Fermin, now with this dishonorable Shapiro joker. No matter whom you disagree with, vandalism is not ethical, honorable, or conducting yourself in a professional manner as a representative of a sport that ALREADY has two black eyes. We need change. Hire an outsider, not another crony, or “celebrity.” Until then, this sport is on life support, gasping for air and rightfully so, b/c of total lack of leadership, baby boomers, and greed.
Richie Shapiro pleaded “no-contest” to a lower charge of misdemeanor valandism and will have to pay over $6,700 in repair costs to the owner’s car and be on probation, and public service too. The owner of the car, Mr. Jamgrotchian will be seeking to prevent Richie from entering tracks, and barring his CHRB licensure for at least 2 years. That is why the CHRB and horse racing in CA is a sinking ship. Unethical people, greedy, and doing it primarily for the $$$$$. In fact, we believe he was “selected” to be a CONsultant for yet another horse racing group to the tune of $250,000/yearly!!–that group must be very proud to have a court convicted individual working for them.