(Kentucky Rep. Bam Carney / Photo Courtesy of the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission)

Before we get into our looks and comments about the wacky world of Thoroughbred racing, I feel compelled to add some of my thoughts on this week’s sad and depressing passing of Rep. Bam Carney.

Exactly like the hundreds of others who have already taken to Facebook, or Twitter, or other means of communication to express their thoughts and express their grief about the loss of one’s of this Commonwealth’s finest people, I am deeply saddened that the world has decided that we needed yet another reminder that the good do, in fact, die young.

Too young.

In Bam’s case, way, way, way too young.

The only way to tell you the true character of this remarkable man is to recant a story and personal experience that I encountered with Bam when he was new to Frankfort and a freshman legislator hellbent on making his world and our Commonwealth a better place to both live and work.

This true-to-life story happened many moons — and trips around the sun ago — mind you. But the memory sticks in my mind like most meals do to my ribs these days.

When life gets too damn depressing…

Just when too many people let you down as if it was nothing to either sweat about or lose sleep over…

Right when you are just about ready to lose faith in your faith in both humanity and the sense of right and wrong…

This memory of Bam Carney pops to mind.

And, quite frankly, both the memory and Bam save the day. And, save my faith in faith; in the human race; in the theory that truth really does matter.

You see, way back when he was first making his way in Frankfort’s inner circles , Bam Carney was as fresh as a freshman legislator could get. He was idealistic. He thought he and his life’s mission could make a difference. He was convinced that honor and word could cut a light through the dark halls. He was firm in his commitment to both himself and the way he lived his life — believing there was still a place for honesty in today’s world of politics.

The “Golden Rule” was his standard. He always treated others as he wanted to be treated. Always. Even though, he probably had some questions when he first started this legislative gig in 2000.

You see…

Bam was a member of the Minority Party in the Kentucky House of Representatives, at the time. He was new to his Committee assignments, which were, most assuredly, not what he either wanted or requested. And, despite the rude welcoming to a new world experience that was stacked against him, he always greeted everyone with a smile and a firm hand shake.

Such is the life of a freshman legislator. Idealistic. Far more than realistic.

But…

Such was the refreshing approach of the newly-elected Bam Carney, a teacher from the Campbellsville. Every single day.

One of these early days, I approached Rep. Bam Carney in the hallway of the Capitol Annex. I had gotten word from my great friend, Dennis George, that Rep. Bam Carney was a great guy and one I should get to know. I had been asked to help Rep. Bam Carney whenever I could. And, I was asked to Not hold his party affiliation against him.

I promised I would do so, never thinking of when I might first make the encounter. But, as things turned out, it did not take long.

One day, early in his first legislative session, I had a bill that I was working on that was scheduled to be discussed and debated on the House Floor. And, as with most of the bills that I was hired to either support or oppose, it was neither easily explained or easy to support.

So, as I was on my scavenger hunt for votes, I knew I must go and discover Rep. Bam Carney. And, as I did so, I refreshed my memory button as I approached and introduced myself to the new legislator.

Just like my friend’s scouting report, I found Rep. Bam Carney to be everything that was advertised. Friendly. Approachable. Educated. Accommodating. Gracious. And…smiling.

After a brief introduction, I immediately delved into my subject matter. I gave the short version, and I asked Rep. Bam Carney if he thought he could support “my bill.”

After a brief moment of consideration, Rep. Bam Carney gave his commitment of support and vowed to vote in favor.

All of a sudden, I knew I was going to like this gentle man. Such is the world of lobbying and the complicated relationships that are forged in the world of politics. Seemingly, they always rise and fall on issues. But, with some, they are forever forged on commitments.

It was just a couple of days later, that I truly found out the truth about Rep. Bam Carney. The bill that we had discussed was on the Floor for debate and a full vote. And, I sat on the edge of my seat and watched from the gallery.

I counted as the green lights — indicating a “yes” vote — quickly out-weighed the red lights. My relief easily overcame that never-ending wave of anxiety. Until I saw the “red light” beside the name of Carney.

I wondered what could have gone wrong. I wondered what had changed his mind. I wondered if my new friend was going to become an old one.

But, as I learned early and often in this world of counting votes, a win is a win. And, it was best for short-term sanity and long-time stomach issues to never linger long on the why’s and why-nots of the world. Take the win and go to the next Chamber.

That very afternoon, I jumped in my car and headed West to our home on Kentucky Lake. Time for a respite. Time to enjoy a fruitful Friday. Time to relax and enjoy.

As I was driving and letting the world slowly drift into “lake mode,” I got a phone call from a phone number I didn’t recognize. For the most part, I don’t answer these calls. Nothing ever good comes from them, I thought then and now. But for some odd reason, I answered.

On the other end of the phone was freshman legislator — Rep. Bam Carney.

It didn’t take him a second to jump right into the conversation. With his voice cracking and the sound of tears choking his emotions, Rep. Bam Carney explained why he had voted “no” on the legislation that I was lobbying for and on behalf of. It seemed as if the freshman legislator had written the bill number down wrong on his notepad. It seemed as if the freshman legislator had mistaken “my bill” for another. It seemed as if the freshman legislator had gotten things mixed up and voted incorrectly.

As I listened, I tried to explain to Rep. Bam Carney that while I appreciated his phone call and explanation, the end result was that the measure had passed any way. I attempted to tell him that I and the bill didn’t need his support or vote, after all. Over and over, I tried to calm his fears and alleviate his pain by explaining that it was OK. That it happens. We all get confused. We all make mistakes. That it just happens.

My words didn’t matter to Rep. Bam Carney. He had given his word. He had voted against his conviction and commitment. He had to right the wrong. He just had to make it right. That was the way he was made.

On Monday afternoon, as soon as the Chamber reopened for business, I saw Rep. Bam Carney make his way to the front of the room and slip a piece of paper into the official files. He had filed the proper paperwork. He had changed his “no vote” to a “YES.”

As soon as he had completed the task, I watched as Rep. Bam Carney called me again. He wanted me to know that he had “officially” changed his vote. And, once again, he asked for my understanding. Once again, he had to choke back the tears. Real tears.

I told Rep. Bam Carney that day that in all my years of working in Frankfort and lobbying on thousands of different issues that I had never, ever, ever received a phone call from a legislator like his. I told him that while it was not necessary, that his gesture did — in fact — mean the world to me. But I remember — to this very day — it was not the gesture that mattered. It was the man.

I will never forget Rep. Bam Carney. Never. Ever.

He was a man who stood by his word. He was a man who stood on his word. He was a man who stood up for the simple words: credibility and honesty. They were his bonds. He was a man who lived by the simple words: truth and commitment. They were his beliefs.

This week, the world lost Rep. Bam Carney. A terrible loss to all of us of benefitted from knowing him and having him go from a freshman legislator for the Minority Party to a member of House Leadership for the Majority Party.

But let’s hope and pray that we never lose what Rep. Bam Carney stood for and stood behind. It was what we all should strive to be more like; cherish; and uphold. He gave us all a living example of right and light.

And, those things meant the world to him.

Speaking of Right & Light: The Aftermath of the 2021 KY Derby…

Since we are on the topics of doing what is right and the Kentucky General Assembly, I think it may be appropriate that we bring up a couple of possible issues and ask for consideration going forward following the aftermath of this year’s Kentucky Derby.

(For those of you who are either unenlightened or live in the mushroom field of a dark stall, the final conclusion of the 2021 Kentucky Derby is still in doubt due to multiple positive test results from the supposed-winner, Medina Spirit, and subsequent court filings.)

Thus…we offer the following suggestions:

First, I think it is well-past-time that Kentucky invests in and develops the Horse Industry’s most reputable and foremost testing laboratory.

There is no one in the world of horse racing and breeding that has as much at stake as the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

We have the world’s foremost and notable race — The Kentucky Derby. The “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” is worth billions in both name recognition and tourism investment. It is our Commonwealth’s “calling card” to the world, and what we are known for throughout the business and entertainment communities.

We have the world’s largest collection of premium stallions and greatest stands of broodmares and broodmare prospects. This is where the sport’s very best eventually call home, and both reproduce the next generation of potential superstars and dreams.

We have the world’s greatest collection of equine veterinarians and learned medical experts. This is where the world turns for horse health advice and counsel. This is where the horses go for the best diagnosis and treatment. This is where the industry turns for cures and remedies.

Now, it is time that we reinvest in our Commonwealth’s greatest and most productive “Signature Industry.” We must reinvest monies in developing the game’s most notable and credible testing laboratories. This is where the world should and must turn for the testing of all horses that perform on our tracks; to ensure they are not racing on performance-enhancing pharmaceuticals.

It does not matter if this facility is domiciled at the University of Kentucky or the University of Louisville. Allow it to be a collaboration between the two.

But it does matter that our Commonwealth develops the most reliable and discerning testing methods and kits. It does matter that we protect the integrity of our sport’s most notable events and ensure the credibility of the results. It does matter than we — Kentucky — demand that all our participants are clean and that the race results are held to the highest standards.

No longer can we farm this vital role to another third-party. No longer can we afford the stain of impropriety or wonder if the samples and subsequent split samples are protected by chain of custody and credible delivery.

The tests need to be done here. Quickly. Accurately. Professionally. Credibly.

And, the test results should be announced to the world by the world’s best and most notable authorities. Quickly. Accurately. Professionally. Credibly.

It is time for Kentucky to step up and do this work. Here.

Secondly, I think it is well-past time that Kentucky invests in and develops the horse industry’s most notable and credible School of Veterinarian Medicine.

When I tell people that our Commonwealth does not currently have — or has ever had — a school to educate our own students in this specific field of study, I am met with astonished looks and disbelief.

Astonished.

Disbelief.

And, that should be our reaction, too.

We need to develop our own school where the best and brightest come here to work with and on all breeds of horses — and other animals, as well — so that we can continue to provide the world’s most renown service and expert care.

We need our clinics and hospitals to continue to be the very best in the profession.

We need our care-givers at the track and in each practice to be the most learned in the field.

We need our own school of thoughts, and our own school of practice here. In Kentucky. No longer can we afford to send our students to Auburn or Ohio State. No longer can we afford to ship them off to UC-Davis or the University of Florida.

It is time we invest and reinvest in our horses’s health and well-being.

Third, it is time for these subjects to be discussed and plans to be made in our funding at the Kentucky General Assembly and with our leaders at both the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.

(Midnight Bourbon / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

The Dept. of “Just a Matter of Time:”

It was just a matter of time before an accident and incident happened at Monmouth Park. Thank goodness that when it did happen, neither horse or man were severely hurt and forever damaged.

But it happened Saturday in the G1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. Deep in the stretch, the eventual winner — Hot Rod Charlie — veered dramatically over in front of Midnight Bourbon. The latter clipped heels and went tumbling to the ground, throwing rider Paco Lopez into harm’s way and the path of several horses rapidly closing.

Thank goodness the horse got up and ran on, unhurt.

Thank goodness the rider eventually got up, too, and was able to walk away.

But when the New Jersey Racing Commission banned the use of the riding crop, it was just a matter of time before a situation arose.

Simply put, there is no way to know if Saturday’s spill could or would have been avoided if rider Flavien Prat had the use of a whip or not. But one could argue — rather convincingly, I might add — that a crop would and could have been very helpful and useful when his horse veered into the path of another.

It could have helped Prat correct the path.

It could have helped Prat correct the wrong.

It could have assisted in preventing a potential disaster.

The new whip is not a weapon. It is not harmful to horses. It is not a threat to live and limb.

But the elimination of the new whip is — most certainly — a threat to the health of all.

Riders all over the country know that the rules have to change; have to be fair to both the horse and to the human; have to be sensitive to public image and critique.

But the rules have to include input from the riders who put their lives on the line; and be fair to all.

This decision to eliminate the crop? It is not fair. It is not inclusive. It is dangerous. Literally. Figuratively.

And, this decision desperately needs to be amended. Immediately.