Many Thoroughbred industry participants, busy with day-to-day tasks, don’t think about the sports challenges such as equine safety and finding an economic model that works.
One of the most inspiring stories in racing history involves the late Cody Dorman and his namesake, Cody’s Wish.
Dorman was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects many body parts and can dramatically shorten life expectancy. He was unable to walk or speak and used subtle head movements to communicate on a tablet.
After the 1938 Kentucky Derby, the Churchill Downs staff noticed that they were short more than a few water glasses. Fans, it turned out, were stealing the glasses to take home as souvenirs of their big day at the races.
The track had an idea: rather than continue to lose glassware to pilfering fans, why not make a special glass they could sell to fans to commemorate the day?
When Oaklawn Park opened last weekend, two new faces were behind the microphone: Matt Dinerman became the track’s seventh announcer in its 120-year history, and Crystal Conning joined the team as Paddock Analyst. Oaklawn veteran Racing Analyst Nancy Holthus rounds out this trifecta providing expert information.
