(A horse steps onto the track that is a bit moist / All Photos by Coady Media)

Here’s a few “Thoughts of the Day,” to help keep you occupied on yet another gloomy, rainy, dreary Spring Day in the rapidly-growing blue grass of the Blue Grass State:

Kudos to Keeneland:

It could not have been an easy decision.

Just couldn’t have been.

It could not have come without a few anxious moments and more than a twist of wringing of hands.

Just couldn’t have.

It couldn’t have come without  many internal conversations, external consultations, and sidebar considerations and conferences.

Just couldn’t have.

But early this week, Keeneland Race Course officials were forced to make a call on what to do with this week’s opening of its’ annual Spring Meet.

Do they race ahead — despite the horrific weather warnings about potential catastrophic tornadoes and record-setting rainfall — and conduct the most important weekend of the historic track’s annual races? Do they go ahead and run the G1 Ashland Stakes — one of the final major preps for this year’s Kentucky Oaks — on Friday? Do they go ahead and conduct the G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes — one of the final major preps for this year’s Kentucky Derby — on Saturday?

Do they go ahead and race the most important two days of their meet; or their entire year?

Or do they punt — heeding the Governor’s call for a state of emergency — and give in to Mother Nature?

As you know by now, Keeneland President and Chief Executive Officer Shannon Arvin pulled the plug. After consulting with several noted meteorologists and weather experts, Arvin and her team decided to postpone Friday and Saturday’s cards and move them to this coming Monday and Tuesday.

They chose to side with safety of their staff, of their fans, of their horse people and of their horses over any urge to carry on with their two most important days of the year — which always attracts the most people and the most betting handle.

They chose to side with health and welfare of both people and horse over both proceeds and dollars.

They chose correctly.

They chose the way you have come to expect Keeneland to choose in the past.

In this case, Keeneland modified its’ time-honored creed, made famous by the legendary President of the Past — James E. “Ted” Bassett.

Instead of “Keeneland: Racing As It Was Meant to Be?”

It became:

“Keeneland: Racing Just Wasn’t Meant to Be.”

It will not be an easy gush of water to swallow.

Certainly, there will be fewer people to attend the races on Monday and Tuesday than what would have been on this Friday and Saturday.

For sure, there will be less money bet through the on-track tellers and from the handicappers across the globe. Unfortunately, it will mean economic harm to one of the most time-honored traditions in this most traditional of all God’s places.

Undoubtedly, the spring to this year’s Spring meet will be a little less energetic.

Yet, some things are simply more important than money. Some things that money simply cannot buy.

Health and safety are two of them. Health and safety cannot be compromised. Health and safety should never be risked.

Keeneland chose correctly.

Never mind the cries of the critics on social media — most of whom don’t care to be right and don’t even try to be right and care — Keeneland chose correctly.

Never mind there will be three less days for the horses that exit the Blue Grass hellbent on running in this year’s 151 Kentucky Derby will have three less days of rest and recovery.

Never mind that the much of the world is unforgiving and highly critical of any decision that demands public scrutiny. Second guessing is no longer a “Monday Quarterback.” It is an “Everyday Practice.”

Keeneland chose correctly.

Now, here’s hoping that every person who can take off work or move their respective schedules around will make every effort to travel out to Keeneland and support the track and the horses who will give their all to be just as spectacular on Monday and Tuesday as they would have been on this Friday and Saturday.

Here’s hoping that Keeneland has the best Ashland Stakes ever, and the most exciting Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in history.

Here’s hoping that the sun shines bright on every Kentucky home — including Keeneland.

They deserve it.

Florida Senate Deserves a Dump Into the “Muck Pit:”

Earlier this week, the Florida State Senate voted to move a piece of legislation that — if passed by the full General Assembly and signed by the Governor — will allow Gulfstream Park and the Stronach Family to steal all the money garnered from its’ gaming operation and not share any of those proceeds with the horse people and the racetrack.

If that happens, the so-called “Decoupling Bill” — which was orchestrated by the Stronachs in the middle of the night and never negotiated with the horse community — will effectively kill horse racing in South Florida.

Never mind that the Senate version of the bill will require Gulfstream to race live for 7 years. It won’t matter. The future will be scored. The racing industry will be scorned.

Stronachs will get richer.

Racing will suffer.

The industry — deeply rooted in racing and has produced the likes of the great Triple Crown champ Affirmed — will be crippled.

The breeding industry — which has always been one of the best in the world — will be stripped.

The stallion farms — which have produced the likes of the great Mr. Prospector and Fappiano — will be devastated.

The sale’s companies — which have been economic engines for the state’s agricultural industry and have long-sustained the beauty and welfare of Ocala — will be damaged.

An industry will be gutted.

For what reason?

All to line the pockets on the Stronachs.

Pure and simple.

Greed vs. Industry?

Florida Senate chose greed.

It is time that the entire horse industry joins forces to help prevent this awful injustice.

Where are you NTRA?

Where are you TOBA?

Where are you The Jockey Club?

Where are you Breeders’ Cup?

It is time to rid this industry of the locust.

It is time to build a new and better racing product in Florida.

One that will race into the future will care-givers and care-takers that are ensure a healthy and vibrant industry.

One that conducts business like Keeneland did this week.

One that does not tolerate business like the Stronachs did this week.

One with a new track management team.

One without Stronach.

Period.