The white-hot issue of de-coupling has now reached Daily Racing Form, and the erroneous information prevalent in so many other places hasn't escaped that august publication. And from a corner we would never expect it, no less than Matt Hegarty, one of DRF's stalwarts when reporting about issues, rather than stakes races.

    In his column titled "Decoupling at Racing's Doorstep," Matt re-visits all the same old points, but felt compelled to add, "especially at a time when casino revenues have stagnated and the casino industry, like racing, is facing significant questions about its ability to attract younger generations."  I think that in my previous column, the issue of declining casinos in Florida and New York was soundly debunked. As for the use of the word stagnating, where is it written that after years of rising revenues there can't be a point where those revenues have reached their pinnacle but are so profitable that stagnation is fine with everybody? Does anyone really expect revenues to rise every year for the rest of time? I doubt it.

    Now let's move on, for the umpteenth time, to the issue of "like racing," when discussing declines. Here are the handles for the country's major racetracks from Saturday: Gulfstream Park - $24.1 million; Tampa Bay Downs - $6.3 million; Santa Anita - $11 million; Aqueduct - $8.3 million. That's $50 million total for the four tracks and if that denotes a dying sport we have to re-evaluate what makes a dying sport these days.  By the way, the Ocala Breeders Sales Co., in the midst of this dying sport, in 2015 recorded the highest gross for its six sales in the company's 40 years of existence.

    Even the FTBOA's own spokesman, Lonny Powell, had to get in on the misinformation act in Hegarty's column. "Here in Florida, we're blessed," Lonny said. "We have an old-school track in Tampa Bay that puts up huge business ontrack and in the simulcast market." Second part true, Tampa does explode in the simulcast market.

    However, of the $6.3 million handle Saturday, more than $5.5 million came from out of state, and $475,631 came from elsewhere around Florida. That leaves a paltry $290,696 on track, a number that shines a spotlight on the poor per capita when considering that attendance was listed as 4,125. It computes to a little more than $70 a person, which is the norm for the track, and might be the lowest figure in the country. Compounding the felony is that horsemen (and media) walk in free and uncounted at the paddock entrance, meaning attendance is actually somewhat higher, and the per capita a little lower.  

    WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS - Mohaymen performed as expected in the Gr. II Fountain of Youth, coming from behind and scoring by 2 1/4 lengths without the need of urging. The Tapit colt has won five in a row, paid $2.80 and boosted his earnings to $845,350. Shadwell paid $2.2 million for him at Keeneland and he's been well worth it. Mohaymen vs. Nyquist could be Affirmed vs. Alydar all over again. 

    Cathryn Sophia kept pace with Mohaymen on the fillies' side, winning the Gr. II Davona Dale by seven from off the pace with Javier Castellano, the world's best rider. She paid $2.40 and has earned $335,520, but Cash Is King LLC only had to go to $30,000 at Timonium to nail down the daughter of Street Boss. She's 4-for-4, by a total of 41 lengths.  

    X Y Jet, the gray Florida-bred gelding by Kantharos, won the Gr. III Gulfstream Park Sprint by 1 1/4, and now sports a five-race winning streak. He's gone past $365,000 in earnings and was a $56,000 OBS August yearling. 

    Catch a Glimpse, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner for trainer Mark Casse on Oct. 30, made her return and captured the Gr. III Herecomesthebride on the Gulfstream grass, her fourth victory in a row. The daughter of City Zip went for $75,000 at Keeneland and now has $767,562 in the bank. She won by 2 1/2 and paid $3.20. 

    Yankees' fans had to have Jeter in the third at Aqueduct Saturday. The 7-year-old son of Lawyer Ron won for a $16,000 tag and was claimed for the sixth time since July of 2015. The new trainer, Edward Barker, had him when he was claimed last July. Jeter is 7-7-9 in 41 tries with earnings of $329,154, so it's no wonder he's such a hot item at the claiming box. He was 8-1 for this one under Jackie Davis. 

    American Phantom finished off the board in the 11th at Gulfstream Saturday, but he has gotten one breeder's award, winning at Gulfstream West in November. The 3-year-old son of Cowtown Cat was bred by Belleview High School and has earned more than $16,000 for P & T Stable. 

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