Letters to the Editor, BH Daily, Jan. 29, 2026

Industry Needs to Embrace New Ideas, Move Forward It was dispiriting, if not surprising, to read The Jockey Club's response to owner Mike Repole's accusations (BH Daily, Jan. 28, 2026). As an owner, breeder, and racing manager who won my first race in 1981, it's impossible not to see the dramatic and continuing industry decline over the past four decades. Racetracks have been shuttered in multiple previously healthy racing jurisdictions and the industry is on the verge of becoming an off-the-radar minor sport relegated to a few states. I have no doubt that there are many well-intended and decent people in The Jockey Club and other leading industry organizations. Perhaps some, even many, of Mr. Repole's accusations are overstated or inaccurate, but someone has to grab the reins and shake things up. What would have been heartening was a Jockey Club response that said, "While we take issue with many of Mr. Repole's accusations, we acknowledge a lack of collective action regarding many previously unaddressed problems and welcome his and others' participation in moving things forward." Instead, their response was to bury their collective heads in the sand and continue fiddling while Rome burns. H. Robb Levinsky Founder, Kenwood Racing The Jockey Club Should Use Money to Lower Registration Fees I read the response of The Jockey Club stewards to Mike Repole's comments. It is interesting that I disagree with both (TJC and Repole). In my opinion, TJC's primary purpose is to be the breed registry for Thoroughbreds in the United States and Canada (although Canada has a separate registry, it requires registering with TJC). When embarking in other activities, like Equineline and Equibase, to sell registry data for profit, the money should be used to reduce the cost of registration, which is $245. Once registration costs have reached zero, then it would be acceptable to donate the excess revenue to Thoroughbred-related charities, assuming not-for-profit businesses are required to limit profits. R. Neil Braithwaite Orange, Calif. Eclipse Voters Overlook Hazlewood Congratulations to (Eclipse Award winner as outstanding apprentice jockey) Pietro Moran. He certainly seems very talented. I'm writing though to point out the merits of finalist Yedsit Hazlewood and why he better deserved the award: Hazlewood rode 275 fewer races than Moran and had just three fewer wins in 2025! Hazlewood began riding a few months into 2025 so he obviously had fewer mounts. He WON at a 23% clip vs. 16% for Mr. Moran. Hazlewood earned owners (like me) $7,571 per mount vs.$7,048 per mount for jockey Moran. Owners, trainers, and jockeys care most about dollars earned per mount/race! I feel the voters ignored vital statistics (above) and looked only at total (not average) purse dollars earned for the year vs. per mount or, even more importantly, win percentage. The Midatlantic, and especially Maryland, has a very talented jockey colony. For Mr. Hazlewood to win at a 23% clip is amazing and in my opinion largely ignored by voters. I know firsthand how hard this 17/18-year-old phenom worked to learn his craft and succeed. It's a shame Eclipse voters ignored critically important details and statistics which warranted Mr. Hazlewood winning apprentice of the year. He deserved the same passion and research from voters that he brings to each mount. Frank Perri Jr. Owner (Pinochle Partners)