THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

♪♪] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

COMING UP TONIGHT IS THE TRIPLE CROWN BROKEN?

WHY THE PREAKNESS STAKES KEEPING LOSING OUT ON THE TOP HORSES.

BUT FIRST TONIGHT, DOZENS OF SENIORS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF A FREE PRESENTATION ON LIFESTYLE MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER MIDTOWN CAMPUS Dr.

ALEXANDRA MORAN GIVING TIPS ON SMALL HABITS THAT ARE HELP PEOPLE LIVE LODGER.

WHAT WAS MUSIC TO THE EARS OF PARTICIPANTS.

>> I THINK A LOT OF SENIORS ARE AFRAID.

BEING BABY-BOOMERS WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT CERTAIN THINGS IN A CERTAIN WAY AND BECAUSE I WAS MARRIED 45 YEARS AND BECAME A WIDOW THREE YEARS AGO I GET TO LEARN SOMETHING ELSE.

BECAUSE I LIVE OR DIE AND I CHOOSE TO LIVE, I AM CURIOUS AND I AM COURAGEOUS AND I'M WILLING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

SO I DON'T THINK PEOPLE WANT TO IGNORE THEY DON'T KNOW THEIR RESOURCES AND OPTIONS.

>> Jeff: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REALLY PUT INTO USE?

>> OH, GOSH.

I WOULD SAY THE NUTRITION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MOVEMENT.

MOVEMENT IS SO KEY TO NOT JUST PHYSICAL HEALTH BUT MENTAL HEALTH.

SO I THINK THAT IS THE REAL KEY THAT I PULLED FROM IT.

>> I LOVE IT.

BECAUSE IT HAS TAUGHT 3450E SO MUCH ABOUT EATING HEALTHIER, WE ALL THINK OH, I CAN HAVE THAT PIECE OF CAKE IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT AND I AM A TYPE 2 DIABETIC THE EATING PART OF THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR ME.

IT ALSO TELLS YOU ABOUT EXERCISING AND ABOUT THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR AS WE AGE AND AS WE GET OLDER.

THIS CLASS HELPS WITH A LOT OF THAT.

IT TEACHES US HOW TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY.

LISTEN TO IT.

AND JUST'S JUST LISTEN AND NOW ASK QUESTIONS AND DO RESEARCH FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH.

NOW, BEFORE IT GETS WORSE.

DON'T SIT BACK AND SAY I WILL DO IT TOMORROW, NO, TAKE CARE OF IT NOW.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT YOUR HEALTH IS Dr.

ALEXANDRA MORAN DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER.

DOCTOR, GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK AT MPT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: TELL US ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH?

SY.

THIS IS SENIOR UNIVERSITY AND A PILOT WE ARE DOING CALLED IT'S BASED ON AMERICAN COLLEGE OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE BASED ON SIX PILLARS OF HEALTH.

OUR GOAL IS TO YOU ALWAYS HEAR FROM PRIMARY CARE NUTRITIONIST WHOEVER IS EAT HEALTHY AND EXERCISE BUT WE TELL YOU HOW WE GET INTO THE NITTY-GRITTY OF THE TIPS AND TRICKS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND WHAT SERVES YOU BEST.

>> Jeff: LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE SIX PILLARS OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE WHICH STARTS WITH HEALTHY EATING.

I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS BUT IT'S PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

SO IT'S PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE LEARNING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT FOODS AND WHAT INDIVIDUAL NEEDS THERE IS.

THE AMOUNT OF CALORIES YOU TAKE VARY BETWEEN AGE, SEX, ACTIVITY.

SO REALLY, GETTING TO KNOW WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.

AND IMPLEMENTING EATING THE RAINBOW, EATING MORE VEGETABLES HOW CAN WE GET LEAN PROTEIN IN.

HOW CAN WE GET THE VEGETABLES IN.

ALL THE VITAMINS AND REALLY MAKING SUGGESTIONS LAST FRIDAY WE ACTUALLY HAD A CLASS WHERE WE HAD A NUTRITIONIST TALK TO THEM, GIVE THEM A LOT OF TIPS AND WE ACTUALLY HAD A BAR WHICH IS SOMETHING A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Jeff: DID THEY ENJOY THAT?

>> IT WAS ACTUALLY A LOT OF FUN I WASN'T EXPECTING THEM ALL TO TRY IT.

AND EVERYBODY HAD EVERYTHING AND SECONDS AND TOOK SOME HOME.

IT WAS GREAT.

EVERYBODY HAD TRIED SOMETHING NEW WHICH WAS, AGAIN, ONE OF THE AWESOME PARTS OF THAT.

>> Jeff: AND THE NEXT THING ON YOUR LIST WAS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY I WONDER IF TRYING SOMETHING NEW IS APPLICABLE THERE.

WHEN YOU SAY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, IS THAT DEPEND END ON SOMEBODY'S AGE AND CAPABILITIES AND DOES IT HAVE TO BE RUNNING A MARATHON?

>> NO, IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE RUNNING A MARATHON.

THE RECOMMENDATION FOR ANY ADULT IS 150 MINUTES A WEEK.

NO MATTER THE AGE.

WHAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IS YOU HAVE A LESION, IF YOU HAVE SOME PAIN, OBVIOUSLY YOU NEED TO ADJUST TO THAT.

BUT ACTUALLY THE RECOMMENDATION IS 150 MINUTES A WEEK AND TO MAKE SURE YOU GET WEIGHT EXERCISE OR STRENGTH TRAINING TWO DAYS A WEEK.

WHAT WE DO WITH SENIORS IN OUR CLASS IS JUST TO MAKE SURE WE TEACH THEM WHAT THEY CAN DO SAFELY IN A CHAIR YOU CAN DO EXERCISES IN BED.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN THE HOUSE IF HOWEVER WE DO PROMOTE YOU GO OUTSIDE AND GET SUNSHINE IN.

>> Jeff: THE NEXT THING ON THE LIST WAS RESTORATIVE SLEEP WHICH IS SO DIFFICULT FOR SOME PEOPLE.

PEOPLE SLEEP LIKE I BABY AND OTHERS CANNOT.

>> RIGHT.

A LOT GOES TO HAVING A ROUTINE WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT LIKE NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE DO HAVE.

LIKE THAT AND STARTING TO THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH CAFFEINE YOU ARE CONSUMING BEFORE BED.

>> Jeff: WHEN?

IT'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING IT AT 9:00 A.M.

>> EXACTLY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF CAFFEINE THERE IS IN A CUP OF SODA.

OR SOMETIMES YOU THINK I WILL HAVE A CUP OF TEA BEFORE BED.

BUT TEA CAN HAVE CAFFEINE SO DOES SODA NOT ASSOCIATED ONLY TO COFFEE.

CHOCOLATE HAS CAFFEINE.

>> Jeff: I SAW AN ARTICLE I FORGET WHAT NEWSPAPER IT WAS BUT IT WAS ABOUT THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF MINUTES OF SLEEP WE ALL NEED AND IT HAD LIKE THIS SPECIFIC RANGE LIKE SEVEN HOURS AND 21 MINUTES TO EIGHT HOURS AND 16.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY CAME UP WITH THAT.

HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

IS THERE A NUMBER?

OR WAKE UP RESTED?

>> A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

IT DOES AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON AGE.

THE KIDS NEED MORE SLEEP.

HOWEVER, RESTORATIVE SLEEP IS THE KEY BEING ABLE TO FALL INTO THAT REM CYCLE, LIKE YOUR BODY NEEDS A REBOOT.

SOMETIMES YOUR COMPUTER TELLS YOU IT NEEDS TO SHUT DOWN THAT IS OUR BODY, TOO.

WE NEED TO SHUT DOWN.

WE NEED TO SLEEP A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME FOR US TO GO TO THE DIFFERENT CYCLES.

SLEEP AND GET THAT REBOOT THAT THE BODY NEEDS.

IT'S NOT ONLY PHYSICAL THING BUT ALSO MENTAL HEALTH, RIGHT?

WE JUST NEED THAT BREAK.

HORMONES EVERYTHING GETS RESET AND REBALANCED.

SO IT IS HUGELY IMPORTANT YOU TO GET THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME SLEEP WHEN YOU DON'T HORMONES, THE HUNGER HORMONE, YOU EAT MORE IF YOU DON'T SLEEP.

ENOUGH TIME THAT YOU NEED TO.

>> Jeff: INTERESTING.

ALL RIGHT LET'S RUN THROUGH THE REST OF THE SIX PILLARS, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AVOIDING HARMFUL SUBSTANCES WHICH MAYBE CAN BE CONNECTED TO STRESS AND SOME PEOPLE SOMETIMES AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO THE LAST ONE ON RELATIONSHIPS.

BUT I MEAN, I WANT TO SAY EVERYBODY HAS SOME DEGREE OF STRESS IN THEIR LIFE.

LIKE THE HUMAN CONDITION.

IT'S HOW YOU HANDLE IT?

>> YES.

AND WHAT STRESSES YOU OUT IS NOT WHAT STRESSES ME OUT AND WHAT STRESSES ME OUT IS NOT WHAT STRESSES YOU OUT.

IT VARIES FROM PERSON TO PERSON THE IMPORTANT THING IS FOR US TO IDENTIFY WHAT STRESSES YOU HAVE.

AND TO IDENTIFY WHEN YOU ARE STRESSED.

SO AS LONG AS YOU CAN AVOID IT GREAT.

A LOT OF TIMES LIFE HAPPENS AND YOU CAN'T AVOID IT SO IT'S HOW YOU DEAL WITH IT.

AND WHAT PROACTIVE ACTION CAN YOU TAKE TO NOT GET STRESSED.

OR WHEN YOU ARE STRESSED TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE IT.

SO MEDITATE, TALK TO FAMILY MEMBERS, LIKE HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH MANAGING THAT STRESS?

>> Jeff: WELL, MAYBE THAT CONNECTS TO THE LAST ITEM ON THE LIST WHICH IS CONNECTION AND RELATIONSHIPS.

WHICH CAN BE STRESSFUL AT TIMES FOR SOME PEOPLE.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A PSYCHIATRIST ON THE SHOW A LONGTIME AGO TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING SOMETHING TO DO, HAVING SOMEBODY TO LOVE.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BASIC NEEDS OF THE HUMAN RACE IS TO FEEL CONNECTED TO HAVE THAT CONNECTION WITH SOMEBODY ELSE.

AND IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN IT HAS TO BE YOUR BROTHER, YOUR MOM, YOUR DAD YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY IT CAN BE THAT CONNECTION WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR OR AT THAT TIME CONNECTION WITH THE CLERK AT THE GROCERY STORE WITH THE POST OFFICE GUY.

>> Jeff: YOU HAVE LATITUDE ON THIS.

>> YES.

THE CLASS IS A WAY OF CONNECTING.

OF COME TO CLASS, GET CONNECTED WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THINGS AND WANT TO LEARN THE SAME THINGS THAT CAN YOU CAN FIND A POINT OF CONNECTION OF SHARING.

AND CAN BE YOUR PARTNER IN THAT ADVENTURE OF BECOMING HEALTHIER AND HAVING A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE.

>> Jeff: YOU DID A I STOPPED BY THIS EVENTED BUT I MISSED THE BINGO GAME.

WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?

>> THE BINGO GAME WAS CREATED BY ONE OF OUR AMAZING INTERNS, ALEX, WE TRIED TO COME UP WITH A WAY OF LEARNING BUT STILL MAKING IT FUN.

BINGO IS POPULAR AMONG OUR SENIOR CENTERS AND ESPECIALLY IN OUR SENIOR UNIVERSITY WE HAVE THE SIX PILLARS OF HEALTH AND THAT IS BIGGIO.

WE LAUNCHED DIFFERENT QUESTIONS AND WE LAUNCHED DIFFERENT QUESTIONS THEY COME UP WITH THE ANSWERS THEY TALK A LITTLE BIT AND MARK THEM DOWN AND YOU HAVE BINGO.

>> Jeff: IS THERE A SECRET WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT STUFF SOME EVERYBODY KNOWS, AVOIDING CIGARETTES AND STUFF THAT'S BAD FOR YOU.

BUT DO YOU HAVE A SECRET?

>> I DON'T THINK THIS IS NECESSARILY A SECRET.

I THINK THE IMPORTANCE IS COMING AND MAKING IT INDIVIDUALIZED.

AND BY THAT I MEAN WHEN WE ARE IN THE CLASS AND YOU HAVE AN EXPERT ON SLEEP AND TEACHING YOU YOU GET A FULL HOUR OF A SPECIALIZED PERSON AND GET TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS AND YOU CAN LEARN FROM THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS ON TIPS AND TRICKS HOW ARE THEY DOING AND WHAT IS AFFECTING THEM.

THAT YOU DON'T KNOW THAT WAS AFFECTING YOU, TOO.

I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THERE IS A SECRET.

WHAT I DO EMPHASIZE IN THE CLASS IS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO COMMIT TO 180° CHANGE OR LIKE IT CAN BE BABY STEPS.

>> Jeff: FIRST STEP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> EXACTLY T HAS TO BE LIKE OKAY, DON'T SLEEP REGULARLY DO YOU HAVE A PLAN?

LET'S CREATE ONE LET'S START THERE.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT TECHNOLOGY FOR A SECOND N TERMS OF SLEEP, YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS, PEOPLE CONNECTED TO THEIR PHONES TOO MUCH HOURS A DAY, BLUE LIGHT OR SOMETHING CAN INTERFERE WITH PEOPLE'S SLEEP SO THERE'S THAT.

BUT YOU HAVE EMBRACED TECHNOLOGY AS PEOPLE WHO ARE TECH SAVVY MAY HAVE DEDUCED YOU ARE WEARING THE LATEST HIGH-TECH META GLASSES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TV CAMERAS AND YOU HAVE TWO MORE ON YOUR TEMPLES.

>> I DO.

>> Jeff: IS THIS NEW?

>> YES.

WE JUST GOT THEM.

>> HAPPY?

CAN IT BE USED FOR THESE PURPOSES?

CAN IT LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER IN THE GROCERY MARKET AND SAY NO YOU DON'T WANT TO BE IN THIS AISLE WITH THE CUPCAKES?

>> YES.

I THINK AGAIN, GOOD AND BAD WITH A.I.

WITH TECHNOLOGY.

BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE IS BENEFIT TO IT WHEN YOU USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.

I CAN GO TO THE GROCERY STORE HOLD TWO CANS AND ASK MY GLASSES OR YOUR SMARTPHONE, TAKE A PICTURE AND TELL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LIKE WHICH ONE IS BETTER OR WHICH ONE HAS LOWER SALT.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO READ THE NUTRITIONAL LABEL.

>> Jeff: BEFORE I RUN OUT OF TIME LET'S PUT THE QR CODE THIS IS FOR PEOPLE WOULD HAVE AN INTEREST IN ATTENDING A SIMILAR PROGRAM TO WHAT YOU DID, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

PEOPLE HAD FUN.

AND THEY LEARNED.

SO YOU CAN SCAN THIS CODE AND ALSO IF SOMEBODY JUST WANTS TO GOOGLE THIS OR MAYBE TALK TO THEIR SMART EYEGLASSES YOUR DEPARTMENT IS CALLED.

>> COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT.

>> AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER.

VERY GOOD, Dr.

MORE RAN WE APPRECIATE YOUR VISIT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Jeff: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Jeff: GOLDEN TEMPO CLOSED OUTED TRIPLE CROWN SERIES WITH A THRILLING WIN IN THE BELMONT STAKES.

THE HORSE ALSO WON THE KENTUCKY DERBY AND SKIPPED THE PROOKNESS THE THIRD TIME THAT HAS HAPPENED.

WE'RE JOINED BY ALAN FOREMAN THE C.E.O.

OF THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON HERE WITH DERBY WINNERS SKIPPING THE PREAKNESS IS THIS A TREND?

>> WELL, IT COULD BE A TREND.

I HAPPEN TO THINK PERSONALLY THE TRIPLE CROWN IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REIMAGINED.

AND THE WORLD'S DIFFERENT TODAY SPORTING EVENTS ARE DIFFERENT.

THE TRIPLE CROWN TO ME IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT BRAND HAD AT THAT TIME RACING HAS THE KENTUCKY DERBY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BRAND.

BUT IT'S THE ONE-TIME THAT THE PUBLIC NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY FOCUSES ENTIRELY ON HORSERACING.

AND THE OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR.

AND OTHER SPORTS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IT IS NOT JUST HORSERACING FACING THE SAME ISSUES WHO YOU ARE COMPETING AGAINST BUT IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

THE FIRST PRIMARY ISSUE IS THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE HORSE.

AND WE HAVE SEEN A CHANGE IN HOW HORSES ARE REACTING TO HIGH STRESS, WE ARE LASER FOCUSED ON THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE HORSE, AND TRAINERS TODAY ARE SENDING US THE MESSAGE AND WE KNOW THAT IT PROBABLY IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THESE HORSES TO BE COMPETING THE THAT LEVEL AT A YOUNG AGE WITH A TWO-WEEK BREAK IN-BETWEEN THE DERBY AND THE PREAKNESS.

THE DERBY IS THE MOST DEMANDING THAT THE LOY-YEAR-OLDS WOULD HAVE RUN AND COME BACK TWO WEEKS LATER AND COMPETE IN THE PREAKNESS AND THREE WEEKS LATER IN THE MARATHON WHO IS THE BELMONT IS TOO DEMANDING ON THE HORSE AND WE CAN LEAST AFFORD TO HAVE AN INCIDENT IN ANY OF THESE RACES WHERE ONE OF OUR HORSES SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC BREAKDOWN.

THAT IS DRIVING A LOT OF WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

>> Jeff: WERE THE HORSES DIFFERENT BACK IN THE SECRETARIAT ERA OR WAS THERE LESS WORRY ABOUT THAT CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT THERE WASN'T WORRY ABOUT THE INCIDENTS AND THEY DIDN'T KEEP THE STATISTICS THAT WE DO NOW.

BUT, I THINK, THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH HORSES WERE TRAINED.

DECADES AGO AND THE WAY HORSES WERE PREPARED AND THE DEMANDS ON THE HORSE ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE HORSES WERE ABLE TO RUN FREQUENTLY.

BUT WE DON'T SEE THAT TODAY.

FOR WHATEVER REASON, WE DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER THESE HORSES NEED BREAKS IN-BETWEEN THE RACES.

I THINK THE ROADMAP, THE RACES THESE HORSES RUN TO PREPARE FOR THE TRIPLE CROWN PLACE TREMENDOUS DEMANDS ON THEM THAT PROBABLY WEREN'T PRESENT HISTORICALLY.

SO IT BECOMES A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

AND SO TO ME, AND I WAS ONE FOR YEARS WHO ARGUED FOR KEEPING THE TRADITIONAL CALENDAR THAT YOU NEED TO IDENTIFY THE SUPER HORSE.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS TODAY THAT WEREN'T AVAILABLE TO THESE HIGH QUALITY HORSES YEARS AGO.

THEY CAN GO TO NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA, FLORIDA, CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, AND FIND VERY HIGH PAYING PURSES.

PRESTIGE RACES AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO COMPETE IN THE TRIPLE CROWN TO GET THE KIND OF ECONOMIC RETURN.

AND PRESTIGE FOR BREEDING PURPOSES THAT OTHERWISE THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IF THEY JUST COMPETED IN THE TRIPLE CROWN.

ONE OTHER POINT IF I COULD, AND THAT IS THE TRIPLE CROWN JUST ISN'T AS IMPORTANT TO A LOT OF OWNERS AND TRAINERS AS IT USED TO BE.

AND A NUMBER OF HORSES INSTEAD OF GOING INTO A 20-HORSE FIELD IN THE DERBY WHICH IS UNUSUAL WILL TARGET THE PREAKNESS THEY WON'T GO TO THE DERBY.

HORSES WILL TARGET THE DERBY WITH NO THOUGHT OF COMING TO THE PREAKNESS, MAYBE FOUR OR FIVE COULD BE CONSIDERED.

AND YOU HAVE THE DEMANDS OF THE BELMONT IT'S INCUMBENT ON THE INDUSTRY TO RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM AND DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE IT'S THE SINGEST MOST IMPORTANT BRAND THAT WE HAVE.

>> Jeff: FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE OWNERS OF THIS HORSE, HAD GOLDEN TEMPO WON THE TRIPLE CROWN, HOW MUCH DIFFERENT WOULD THE VALUE BE COMPARED TO A HORSE THAT WON THE DERBY AND WON THE BELMONT?

>> PROBABLY NONE.

THIS IS THESE ARE RACING ELITE.

THE OWNERS THE PHIPPS FAMILY THEY ARE PART OF THE HISTORY OF HORSERACING IN THE UNITED STATES IF NOT INTERNATIONAL.

AND I KNOW THAT THEY WOULD HAVE COVETED A TRIPLE CROWN BUT THEY RELIED ON THE TRAINER WHETHER THEY THOUGHT THE HORSE WAS READY TO COME BACK AND THE STABLE VINNIE, WHO IS THE OWNER OF THE FLORIDA HURRICANES A DYNAMIC BUSINESSMAN THEY WERE GOING TO DO RIGHT BY THE HORSE BUT THE VALUE WAS ESTABLISHED WHEN IT WON THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

CERTAINLY IF THE HORSE WON THE TRIPLE CROWN YOU WOULD BE LOOKING AT IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY FROM A VALUE STANDPOINT AND THE WAY THEY RUN THEIR STABLE AND BREEDING OPERATIONS PROBABLY DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHY THEY WERE WILLING TO PASS ON IT TO OUR DISAPPOINTMENT.

>> Jeff: MARYLAND WE CARE ABOUT THE PREAKNESS THE STATE IS SPENDING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS TO VEN VACCINATE PIMLICO.

HOW DO WE GET THE DERBY WINNERS TO START COMING BACK TO MARYLAND?

IS IT A MATTER OF ANOTHER WEEK IN-BETWEEN THE RACES?

>> I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK SO.

AND I THINK THAT THE POWERS THAT BE NOT ONLY FROM CHURCHILL, FROM THE NEW YORK RACING ASSOCIATION AND THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB BUT THIS IS AN INDUSTRY CONVERSATION BECAUSE THE TRIPLE CROWN IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE RACING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.

THE INDUSTRY'S BEEN WRESTLING ABOUT THE ISSUE OF SAFETY, THE ISSUE OF WHETHER OR NOT WE KEEP THE TRADITIONAL SPACING OF THE TRIPLE CROWN BECAUSE HISTORICALLY THAT IS HOW YOU'VE IDENTIFIED THE GREAT HORSES AND WHAT WOULD THAT PROPER SPACING BE?

WHEN YOU START MOVING THE RACES BEYOND THEIR TRADITIONAL SCHEDULE YOU START TO IMPACT SCHEDULES AROUND THE REGION, AND AROUND THE COUNTRY IN PREPARATION FOR OTHER RACES DURING THE SUMMER AND LEADING TO THE BREEDERS CUP IN NOVEMBER.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER TRACKS IN THE REGION IN THE COUNTRY THAT ARE LOOKING TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR TRACKS AND THEIR RACES.

AND THAT WAS A PHENOMENON THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE 10, 15, 20 YEARS AGO.

SO TO ME, GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TRIPLE CROWN TO THE INDUSTRY IT'S AN INDUSTRY CONVERSATION THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

>> Jeff: AND SOME OF THOSE DYNAMICS YOU BROUGHT UP ARE PART OF THE REASON I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE IDEA OF CHURCHILL DOWNS OWNING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BEHIND THE PREAKNESS STAKES.

I THINK THE STATE STILL HAS THE OPTION TO MAKE A BID FOR THAT.

BUT, YES, THEY ARE A PARTNER AND ALSO A COMPETITOR?

>> THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO LOOK AT IT ONE IS AN ECONOMIC DECISION AND THAT IS AN ECONOMIC DECISION FOR THE STATE.

WHEN THE STATE ACQUIRED THE ASSETS OF FIRST RACING, LAUREL, NOW PIMLICO NOW LAUREL, THE FIRST RACING THE FAMILY WOULD NOT SELL THE PREAKNESS TO THE STATE.

AND SO THOSE WHO NEGOTIATED THIS DEAL ON BEHALF OF THE STATE, AND NEGOTIATED THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WHERE FOR WHAT I WOULD SAY IN PERPETUITY THE FIRST RACING FAMILY WAS LICENSING THE PREAKNESS TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

THE STATE WAS PAYING AN ANNUAL FEE PLUS A PERCENTAGE OF HANDLE AND THE STATE HAD THE RIGHT TO ALL THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

AT THE TIME THIS TRANSACTION TOOK PLACE, WE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO SELL TO THE STATE AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE VALUE WAS AND NOBODY TALKED ABOUT WHAT THE VALUE OF THE PREAKNESS WAS.

THIS TRANSACTION WITH CHURCHILL 85 MILLION DOLLARS AND I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STATE AT LEAST ECONOMICALLY TO DO WHAT IT COULDN'T DO WHEN IT ENTERED INTO THE AGREEMENTS WITH THE FIRST RACING GROUP AND THE STATE BELIEVES AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT THIS, THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL SINCE AN OFFER WAS MADE FOR $85 MILLION, THAT THE STATE HAS THE RIGHT TO MATCH IT.

AND THAT IS AN ECONOMIC DECISION BECAUSE INSTEAD OF PAYING A LICENSE FEE AND HANDLE IN PERPETUITY TO THE FIRST RACING GROUP, IF THE STATE CAN ACQUIRE THE RIGHTS TO THE PREAKNESS FOR $85 MILLION IT IS A MUCH BETTER ECONOMIC DEAL FOR MARYLAND RACING AND FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND THE CITY OF BALTIMORE.

FROM THE CHURCHILL STANDPOINT IF I CAN JUST SAY, CHURCHILL DOWNS IS A GREAT COMPANY.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT'S THEIR INTENTION TO TAKE THE PREAKNESS AWAY FROM MARYLAND.

THEY ARE IN THE RACING BUSINESS HERE IN MARYLAND.

THEY OWN OCEAN DOWNS THEY HAVE A CASINO THERE THEY ARE INVESTED IN MARYLAND RACING.

AND AN UPSIDE I SEE TO THIS PENDING TRANSACTION ON THE ECONOMIC SIDE FOR THE STATE BUT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH CHURCHILL IS THAT THEY BRING TREMENDOUS VALUE BECAUSE OF THE DERBY THEY NOW SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERHAPS PROMOTE MORE PREAKNESS, LINK THEM TOGETHER AND LINK THEM TO THE BELMONT AND NOW WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR A PACKAGE FOR THE TRIPLE CROWN THAT CREATES TREMENDOUS VALUE IN THE MARKETPLACE.

>> Jeff: ALAN I JUST HAVE A MINUTE BUT I HAPPENED TO DRIVE BY NORTHERN PARKWAY TODAY AND SAW THE WORK GOING ON AT PIMLICO.

HOW IS THE INDUSTRY THE MARYLAND HORSE INDUSTRY FEELING ABOUT WHAT IS SETTING UP?

PIMLICO REOPENING POWERFULLY A -- HOPEFULLY A YEAR FROM NOW HIM.

I THINK THE RACING PORTION WILL BE FINISHED THIS TIME NEXT YEAR TO HOST THE PREAKNESS BUT THE GRANDSTAND, THE CLUBHOUSE THOSE FACILITY ALSO NOT BE READY IT WILL BE TWO YEARS FROM NOW.

THE 2028 PREAKNESS WILL BE HELD WITH A COMPLETED SUBJECT A COMPLETED PIMLICO.

I THINK WHAT THE HORSEMEN ARE HAPPY ABOUT AND EXCITED ABOUT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE TRAINING CENTER BEING SITUATED AT LAUREL AS OPPOSED TO SOME OTHER LOCATION IN THE STATE.

BECAUSE THEY ARE THERE MANY OF OUR HORSEMEN LIVE IN THE AREA AND THEY KNOW THAT FACILITY.

AND ARE WILLING AND PREPARED TO SHIP THEIR HORSES TO PIMLICO.

SO IT'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS TO THIS WHOLE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN BUT THEY WILL START TO COME TOGETHER.

>> Jeff: ALAN FOREMAN OF THE THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, SIR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE", THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS, JOIN US FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

REMEMBER YOU CAN SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS ON-LINE AT VIDEO.MPT.TV.

NOW FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪]