California Chrome co-owner releases statement on Del Mar 'appearance fee'

California Chrome co-owner releases statement on Del Mar

'appearance fee'

Perry Martin, co-owner with Steve Coburn of dual classic hero California

Chrome, released a statement concerning the recent controversy over their

request for an "appearance fee" for their colt to show up at Del Mar on Pacific

Classic Day.

The

statement follows:

The chess game began a little over three weeks ago. Del Mar PR let it slip "accidently" that there was a chance California Chrome might

appear at Del Mar on sPacific Classic Day (I forget is Del Mar the Spa or

Saratoga?). Well, "let slip" might not be quite right, they called the Media

persons they have in their pocket to get the news out. (Does not take much to

have these local media types in their pocket. They invite to a race day, slap

them on the back saying they are honored to have them there. Escort them to an

"Exclusive Track Venue" and wink to the bartender. "Joe, Mr/Ms XXX's drinks are

on Del Mar") The opening gambit did not work well. Sure the local pocket media

went with it but very few secondary outlets picked it up. Most ran stories of

Chrome's vacation at Harris Ranch. Next, the middle game.

After a few days when it was clear that they had not really

created the buzz they were looking for, Del Mar PR called Chrome's trainer Art

Sherman. Art is an amiable guy and when they told him they wanted to honor "Team

Chrome" on sPacific Classic Day he said the right thing, "That sounds good but

you'll have to check with the owners." That phone conversation somehow (?) got

to the local pocket media and they ran with it. Del Mar in conversations with

"Team Chrome" for appearance at Del Mar on sPacific Classic Day. This did get

picked up by a few secondary outlets and made local Chromies happy they may have

a chance to cheer on Chrome locally.

The phone call I was waiting for from Del Mar PR finally

came while I was at work at Martin Testing Labs. The voice on the other end of

the line said Del Mar wanted to honor Chrome and Team Chrome on sPacific Classic

Day. I was supposed to be honored to pay a van driver to drive Chrome to and

from Del Mar. Honored to travel 500 miles, put my wife and I up in a

hotel then sit under a tent in the hot sun to sign autographs for an hour or

two. Honored to pay for an insurance rider to cover the horse in case injured in

the performance of non-racing activities. Honored to pay the horse's handlers

(groom, exercise rider and hot walker) to work during their usual time off. Let

me make this clear, there was no offer from Del Mar to cover any expenses. I was

quiet and listened hard for some time and nothing was forthcoming. I then said,

"I can see how Del Mar will benefit from Chrome appearing. He is very popular

and people will come out to see him. How do we benefit?" The voice on the other

end of the line sounded quite surprised, "You mean a financial agreement?" I

said, "Is there any other kind?" The voice, "Well Del Mar is a not for profit

and turns over all monies to the State. We don't usually have money for

appearance fees. I'd have to discuss this with management. What would you want?"

I asked for and received his e-mail address, I told him I would discuss with my

partner Steve and e-mail him. Steve and I knew that what was best for the horse

was staying home and concentrating on his return to racing. The fans are

important to us but the horse will be racing just a few weeks later not very far

away. The only real benefit here is to Del Mar to spike attendance that was

clear, at least to these Dumb-Asses. I e-mailed our requirements in detail, none

of the detail was picked up by the local pocket media. $10,000 for expenses (Vanning,

insurance, travel & per diem). A little high yes but not much and I was not

going to give them the benefit of the doubt. Besides, it got us to a nice round

number. $20,000 to the owners ($10,000 each) and $20,000 to "Team Sherman".

$50,000 total. I wanted to make sure everyone on the team got an appearance fee,

especially the so-called unappreciated ones like Raul and Willy. We appreciate

them! Hey, I thought it was a good deal. Baffert got $50K for 45 minutes of

autographs in New Jersey. I'm only worth $10K and I know itJ

Within an hour of sending the e-mail I started getting

calls from the local pocket media. "Chrome would not be appearing because of the

greedy owners -- DAP". I wonder how they knew? Was Del Mar playing chess with the

Dumb-Ass Partners? Will we be shamed into having our horse appear? Well, I've

checked Chrome's schedule and he will not have time to appear at sPacific

Classic Day and there is no race of interest to us at Del Mar until 2017

(Breeders Cup). I'm wondering if he'll be racing then. People take the Dumb-Ass

Partner name way too serious. We may have to change it. How about Checkmate

Partners?

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