Keeneland Drops Support for Indian Charlie

   Keeneland will no longer advertise in “Indian Charlie” nor distribute the newsletter on their grounds, the association announced yesterday. The decision follows comments made in the Indian Charlie newsletter’s Saturday, April 26 edition. 
A story in that edition advised that trainers could avoid the prospect of having an undercover PETA agent in their barn by hiring Mexicans. 
    “First, if at all possible, try to hire Mexicans,” the paper said. “There has never been a known undercover PETA informant from south of the border. And let’s face it, you would be hard-pressed to find a Mexican who hasn’t, at one time or another in their lifetime, made a meal out of someone’s pet dog, a cat and/or a hamster.” 
    The statement from Keeneland reads, “Due to recent comments in the publication known as “Indian Charlie,” Keeneland Association will no longer advertise in that publication, nor will we allow for its distribution on our grounds. Keeneland works diligently to ensure that all of our customers, clients, employees and outside staff, whether for racing or sales, are treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Any standards or statements less than that are unacceptable within our industry and the international community that we strive to serve.” 
    Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of the Stronach Group, told the Paulick Report the company would cease all advertising placements with “Indian Charlie” and prohibit the newsletter’s distribution on the grounds of its racetracks and training centers. 
    The comments in Indian Charlie were the subject of a letter to the editor in the Tuesday edition of the TDN by Ada Limón, an award-winning poet who was one of the judges for the 2013 National Book Award in Poetry. 
Limon’s letter, in part, read, “You want to talk about bringing more young people into the sport? Well, how about we don’t let ugly, racist newsletters with twisted, harmful content into our paddocks and racetracks. Not to mention the numerous Mexican, and Mexican-American men and women that work in the industry and have to see this idiotic, supposedly-satirical rag circulated in and around their workplace. The NBA is currently dealing with a scandal involving allegedly racist remarks by LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and the league will be judged by its response. Racing should be judged on how it handles issues like this, too.” 
    To read Limón’s full letter, click here. 

Fasig-Tipton Will No Longer Advertise in “Indian Charlie”… 
Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning Jr. issued the following letter to the TDN in response to the Indian Charlie comments. “The editorial content of `Indian Charlie’ occasionally provides an irreverent view of our industry. However, comments made in the April 26 issue are offensive and unacceptable and have caused us to cease advertising in this publication.”