A RECENT TRIP to Turfway Park made  me realize it was time to change.
   Located in Florence, Ky., Turfway is a massive structure in dire need of a modern upgrade. Depressing, really, to see such a big structure aging with time, wondering where the glory days of 20,000 fans have gone.
   That thought, of seeing something that was once so mighty in the horse racing world become an afterthought, is what prompted a needed update of Marvinjohnsonracing.com. The site simply couldn't become an aging eyesore, content with once was and more than 1,300 views. We had to move forward, offering a new look along with new news.
   All as a service to you, the reader.
   We hope you like what you see. It's a mixture of the old and new, serious business along with off-beat news you'll likely not read anywhere else.

   Where else can you learn about a former boxer in Indianapolis who shares the name Marvin Johnson with ah horse trainer? And our new "What The Hoof" section resulted from a late-night drinking binge that left us wondering how to dubiously honor those in the industry who distinguish themselves as true horse's backsides.

   Guess there was a need for that $3.99 horse mask we ordered off EBay after all.

   Website History
   Three years ago, Kevin Watts and I, former co-workers at Indiana Grand Casino, set out to make trainer Marvin Johnson a household name in the national horse racing ranks. Johnson has

spent his entire 40-plus year training career working around the

Midwest, never giving into the temptation of chasing the big money

on either coasts.
   No, Johnson doesn't have the name recognition of Bob Baffert or

the deep pockets of Todd Pletcher. But Johnson still deserves

credit for his accomplishments, which are detailed in an amazing

website created by Kevin.
   Give credit where credit is due. Kevin is the brainchild of the site,

emailing page after page for final editing. 
> Midnight? No problem. We've got work to do. And Kevin, as

always, was more than willing to do it, all the while juggling the

demands of being a married father of two who does website work

as a side kick to his real career.
   If you're a trainer or business owner in need of a website, contact

Kevin. His email address is kevinwatts024@gmail.com

For $75, Kevin can create a 3-page website that is as good as any

in the racing industry. Just supply the written copy and photos and

Kevin will take it from there.

   As always, anyone in the racing industry who wants to share their

thoughts in the form of a written piece that will fill this space is certainly welcome to do so. While the site can't pay for any articles, we're doing this for a labor of love, we do offer a platform that many others in racing can't. No ties toany advertisers here. Which means no calls from prominent Kentucky farms, complaining that their front-page magazine photo showed brown spots on the barn roof.

   Yes, that actually happened while I work at Thoroughbred Times in Lexington, Ky.

If there's one story in racing that needs to be told, it's a book about Jack Kaenel, the Preakness-winning jockey whose saddle skills  were continually derailed by personal problems resulting from alcohol abuse. Fifteen years of covering racing at Fonner Park for the Grand Island (Neb.) Independent newspaper left us with lots of  memories, few of which are as intriguing as Kaenel's story.

   Other memories--like the greatness of Leaping Plum and the time trainer Joe Moss used a handkerchief (we hope it was clean) as an emergency tongue tie--stand out. they're not Jack Kaenel like in terms of intrigue.

Never gave much thought to writing a book. But if someone would ever write a tell all about the life of a former jockey who hit the big time at such a young age only to see his career spiral out of control, send me a copy. I'll read it cover to cover.

   Recapping the News
Lots has happened since the website was first launched three years ago. Most notably is the career-best year Marv enjoyed in 2014, when his stable exceeded 1-million in purse earnings. Two recaps of that amazing year are detailed on Page 4 of this site.
Even though 2015 didn't approach that lofty number, it was still another successful campaign for Johnson, who rewarded his followers with generous payoffs at the mutuel window.

   Anyone who has experienced racing at any level, whether it's at a 5/8-mile track in Central Nebraska or a lucrative circuit like Indiana, understand the thrill of competing, no matter how much money is involved. That's why we want to highlight Johnson's accomplishments at both Fonner and Indiana Grand.

   If the past is any indication, we can't wait to see what's in store at the 2016 Indiana Grand meet, which runs through October. More than likely, it will include wins and losses, jubilation and defeat. It will all lead to a roller coaster of emotions that will create lasting memories that are part of the great game of horse racing.

   This time, let's not wait three years until we share our thoughts. 
   We've seen Turfway Park. And we'd rather not feel depressed again.

Contact Jeff Apel at jff_apel@yahoo.com