TDN Weekend December 2016 Issue 9
Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/910009
for it (Porter received the "Mr. Fitz Award typifying the spirit of racing" from the Na- tional Turf Writers Association.) The spirit I have for racing is all about the races. I love the races. I go to all the races I can go to. I don't look forward to the sales, but I have fun when it is all over thinking I got some good horses." Porter is also very passionate about culti- vating more racing fans and believes that is the key to getting the sport to thrive again. "I would do anything if we could bring back fans to racing," Porter said. "It is so great to see the place full and people ap- plauding. Horse racing is a great thing, but most people don't understand it. Back in the twenties and thirties, it was on the front page of the New York Times, not the sports page." He added, "Racing is not dead and the only thing that is going to save it, is less race- tracks, not slot machines, and a way to bet that doesn't require handicapping. That is one way to get the handle up. We need a lottery system where they pick numbers or names or something. Somebody can come up with some new ways to bet that are sim- ple for people like buying a lottery ticket. We can do it and then we can get the fans out there once we get them hooked." When speaking with Porter, the fire in his eyes and passion in his voice when he talks about his love for racing and his horses are immediately evident, as is his sheer will and determination. You're left with the im- pression that if anyone can bring his ideas to improve racing to fruition, it is him. Given his achievements and contributions to the industry and his future goals, Porter is primed to leave a lasting impression on the sport. When asked what type of leg- acy he hopes to leave in racing, the long- time owner summed it up perfectly, saying, "That I was consciously a very caring own- er and known as someone that loved the sport more than any other sport." PORTER IS PRIMED TO LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON THE SPORT