Letter To The Editor: Mystik Dan To California, Why Is It So Difficult?

It's great to see Kenny McPeek heading to California for the GI Malibu Stakes with (GI) Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan. However, it's disappointing that he doesn't have a flight to catch. Instead, he has to travel by van from Louisiana to California. Our industry needs to improve connectivity between the East and West Coasts and the South if we want our racing to survive and thrive. We need to simplify the logistics so that trainers feel more comfortable shipping their horses nationwide. Graded stakes need to be coordinated around favorable flight schedules. Elite pedigrees are built on Graded races. International trade is conducted around Graded races. Graded races are the true measure of excellence.

–-Tom Ryan, Managing partner of SF Bloodstock