NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On
August 5, the day of the
92nd Hambletonian, the penultimate competition of the
Harness Racing world, a beautiful August day, the sun shining.
Droves of racing enthusiasts of all ages from nations across the
globe entered the New Jersey Meadowlands to see the best of the
three-year old crop of Standardbred Trotters raced to become
amongst the immortals of harness history, the Hambletonian Winner.
Many thousands were in attendance, and millions around the world
watched the crème de la crème race for the illustrious title.
The race was action packed from the moment the starting gate
opened. The excitement mounted leading past the half and around the
final turn and like many great races before; the stretch drive
would determine the victor through the striking synergy of both
human and equine athletes.
Cheers roared across the grandstand and across the world, the
loudest from the owners, when ½ ways down the stretch, What the
Hill taped into his class and blew past the leader, A Perfect
Spirit, to easily win the mother of all harness races.
That was not to be the fairytale ending for this horse or its
connections. Only minutes later, due to a stretch drive inquiry,
the judges disqualified What the Hill and named the second place
horse, A Perfect Spirit the winner of the 2017 Hambletonian. A
collective groan was heard throughout the stands, and with it,
millions of fans, enthusiasts and could be fans from around the
globe were given another reason to be disenchanted by the unbridled
and unfair bureaucracy of the sport.
Connections to appeal Hambletonian disqualification
Stathis is certainly not alone with his viewpoints the owners
and connections were quick to appeal to the judges.
Ron Burke, The trainer of What
the Hill was quoted as saying there was only "5 minutes between the
thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." I know this feeling of
"lightning striking" all too well, one memory takes me to my 2013
Hambletonian experience with Celebrity Maserati.
Stathis was quoted, in his opinion; the disqualification of What
the Hill was at the very least an egregious mistake. More so when
considering the magnitude of this race and the resulting economic
and social consequences that could take down the harness racing
industry and devastate the local and national economies. He
further stated I would not be in favor of this but would be more
sympathetic to a lesser evil, if all three horses were
proportionately penalized, not one disqualified and the other two
rewarded.
In addition to the agony suffered by the owners and fans, we
must raise awareness to the catastrophic and unintended
consequences one race will have on agriculture and the entire US
Economy.
The Unintended Consequences (Brief Summation)
"The purpose of this release is to raise awareness to the
catastrophic and unintended consequences one race will have to all
of us and our children if we don't act immediately and decisively,"
Mr. Stathis added.
Breakdown of the Video:
Stathis took the time to break down his technical analysis on
how the video evidence from the race clearly shows that #4 What The
Hill and driver David Miller could
not be held responsible (with all certainty, not solely liable) for
the interference or the break of #9, Guardian Angel AS.
A licensed Owner, Trainer and Driver, of harness horses, with
patented technology for training and racing horses as well plus
extensive expertise in evidence based research and having
reviewed the tapes countless times, frame by frame.
In this court of public opinion, your viewpoint matters. Please
don't take my word for it, with a fresh open mind just look at the
full, slow motion video that was shown at the live race. Besides
the incident itself very troubling to me is what "clips were
selected" to reveal to the fans when the disqualification was being
announced. Even more disturbing is what video evidence was omitted
at the critical moment of the disqualification announcement.
Make close observation of the "Limited View" that was shown
during the announcement of the disqualification, "The Limited View"
starts after the # 3 horse makes a very significant move/ lane
change. The #6 horse does a lesser obvious to the novice,
"drift" but very significant move in the opposite
direction.
As the saying goes, maybe you can fool the fans, but you
can't fool the players. Harness racing is a game of skill not a
game of chance, our fans include the best horseman from around the
world, many of which own a relative of the connections or the
disqualified horse. Some were stakeholders simply from a
two dollar win ticket, and others
that just liked that chose him because they like David Millers
Colors.
The Judges may have announced that they disqualified the #4, but
that's kind of cold in-it-of-itself. They didn't disqualify just a
horse, they disqualified thousand if not millions around the world.
The above-interested parties plus all the ones I missed down
to the church or charities Hill's connection contribute to or the
waitress that served Ron Burke
breakfast the next morning, what kind of tip did she receive.
When you watch the video, answer for me if in the future
David Miller should be called the
Buckeye (or) the Iceman. Except for a quick look over his right
shoulder when he was "blind sided, from behind," you would think he
was meditating for the entire race and up to just 1/8 a mile from
winning his first ever Hambletonian. That's why he is a legend and
major factor why the headlines and history should record:
Ron Burke, David Miller and What the Hill Won the 2017
Hambletonian.
Furthermore, Stathis added "I have no ownership in this horse,
and I consider myself a friend to all those involved in this
incident and their connections. That makes this especially hard for
me, but someone has to lead the charge. I offer these statements as
my personal opinion, subjecting myself to criticism. I do so
because "I answer to a higher power," and know I am doing
this purely for the greater good. Most of all I am not going to
watch the sport that founded the Olympic games just fade away, nor
allow our economy to collapse and our horses to be to
slaughtered.
I have been blessed with all I need in my life and much more; a
loving wife, children and family with dozens of great employees,
despite being a "biblical sinner." I love all things exotic, I have
owned many exotics cars, exotic chariots and exotic horses I have
met and dined with many exotic people and have competed at all
levels of harness and chariot racing competition few as exotic as
the Hambletonian. I have had another blessing the gift of
loving horses and having received as much from them as I have
given. It's hard to sum it up but in the words of Ronald Reagan;
"There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the
outside of a horse."
About Sam Stathis:
Sam Stathis, founder of the World Chariot Racing Federation, The
New USTA and Celebrity Farms Racing Stables has been an avid
horseman of over 20 years with multiple Hambletonian and
Hambletonian Oaks contenders to his credit over the years. Some of
his top jewels include; Muscle Hill, the sire of What the Hill,
Celebrity Secret, Celebrity Maserati, Celebrity Sweedie, Celebrity
Athena, Celebrity Juliet, Celebrity Tribute, Celebrity Deville and
others.
About World Chariot and the New USTA
Dedicated to rebranding harness racing as the sport of the
future, and to reintroducing exotic chariots to the Olympics.
Showcasing the thrills and excitement of Formula One Racing,
franchise ownership opportunities of the NFL and fractional horse
ownership and benefits costing as little as five dollars. The World Chariot Racing Federation
brings together exotic cars, exotic chariots, exotic horses and
exotic people living exotic lifestyles. It also creates high‐end
happenings bringing together the best athletes, celebrities, and
connoisseurs from around the world.
Made up of breeders, owners, trainers, drivers, tracks, fans,
media groups and corporate sponsors, the Federation also seeks to
lead the field in the green revolution. Stimulating economic
growth, creating advanced technical education and certification
programs, advancing workforce development by "driving"
the agricultural industries technological revolution.See the
exciting video about Sam Stathis and WRCF.
The court of public opinion:
Keep a scout's eye out for upcoming articles on the ways in
which we can all work to rebuild the glorious industry of Harness
Racing, to stimulate growth of our economy not further divide
us.
Please Vote Here.
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hambogate-2017-what-the-hill-happened-300503510.html
SOURCE World Chariot Racing Federation