Joel Kravet remains in the business for the love of the horse
Longtime harness racing participant Joel Kravet, an 83-year-old Manhattan resident and industry veteran, identifies the inability to adapt to changing business models as a primary challenge facing the modern sport. Kravet, who began his career as a night watchman for the world champion pacer Best Of All in 1967, argues that the industry’s focus has shifted away from the development of the horse and toward profit-driven motives.
Did You Know?
In 1967, Joel Kravet secured his first job in harness racing as a night watchman for the pacer Best Of All, a future world champion and winner of the Little Brown Jug, because the horse’s insurance policy required 24-hour care.
The Evolution of a Career in Harness Racing
Kravet’s involvement in the sport spans over five decades, beginning in the 1960s when he frequented Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceways. According to Kravet, those tracks were once major venues that frequently outperformed professional sports franchises like the Yankees, Knicks, Rangers, and Giants in attendance. After an accident interrupted his college education in 1967, Kravet sought employment at the stable gate at Roosevelt Raceway. Following his tenure with the Jim Hackett stable, he moved to Georgia to work for John Patterson Sr. and his son, John “Sonny” Patterson Jr., eventually transitioning from a stable hand to a racehorse owner.
Industry Shifts and Future Outlook
Kravet attributes his professional longevity to his ability to adapt, a trait he believes the broader harness racing industry lacks. While he maintains his involvement in the sport through ownership and his participation in Anthony MacDonald’s The Stable, he observes a decline in the “joie de vivre” that once defined horse ownership. Kravet suggests that if the industry continues to prioritize immediate monetary gain over the long-term development of the horse, it may struggle to maintain its relevance. Future participation in the sport, according to Kravet, remains dependent on the continued interest of owners who, like himself, prioritize the pedigree and development of the horse.
Expert Insight:
The shift Kravet describes reflects a broader trend in professional sports where the commercialization of ownership often competes with the traditional, craft-based approach to animal husbandry. His experience suggests that the survival of niche sports may hinge on balancing the necessary pursuit of profit with the foundational appeal of the sport itself: the connection between the owner and the athlete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Joel Kravet get his start in the harness racing industry?
Kravet began his career in 1967 after a car accident interrupted his college education. He sought work at the stable gate at Roosevelt Raceway and was hired by Jim Hackett as a night watchman for a 3-year-old pacing colt named Best Of All.
What is Kravet’s current involvement in harness racing?
Kravet continues to own and manage horses, including racehorses, broodmares, and yearlings. He is currently a shareholder in Anthony MacDonald’s The Stable and remains active in reviewing yearling catalogs to select horses for potential ownership.
Why does Kravet believe the sport is struggling?
Kravet identifies a failure to adapt to changing times as a major factor. He argues that the industry has become increasingly motivated by the money to be gained rather than a genuine love for the horse and the experience of development.
Do you believe the transition from over-the-counter business models to modern digital and remote management has fundamentally altered the culture of horse ownership?