Who is Doctor Dosage?

Ron J. White

Software Design Engineer - Microsoft Corp.

Background:

I began working in the Thoroughbred Industry in 1977 as a Mutuel Clerk.

Having an older brother who worked as Trackman for the Daily Racing Form, I was in the rare lucky position to inherit a mini Thoroughbred library. This helped launch me into a love of Thoroughbred pedigree research. I worked in the Mutuel Department at Playfair Race Course until 1987. Over this 10 years I did extensive research with Thoroughbred pedigrees. Working with existing theories such as the Dosage Method, along with developing systems of my own.

In 1986 I graduated from EWU with Mathematics and Computer Science degrees. I tried to initially find my dream job of Thoroughbreds and computers, but did not have great luck back then. Computers took a few more years to really evolve into the sport.

In 1987 I moved into the heart of the Thoroughbred Industry, and worked as Assistant Racing Secretary. There is no place to learn more about the Thoroughbred Industry than working in the central-to-it-all Race Office. This was during the real decline of racing in Eastern Washington. Every year different owners banded together to keep the track alive. Thus, management shifted and every year was a new Racing Secretary. The final year left me with the title of "Assistant", however I performed all duties of the Racing Secretary except for writing of the Condition Book, which was primarily a product of a committee anyway. Oh, how I used to love doing the Race Card Draw, along with putting Jockey Agent's on the spot in front of the Stewards. What fun! For anyone not real knowledgeable about the inner workings of Thoroughbred Racing just can't appreciate what it is like to have to make Racing Cards out of a backstretch with not enough horses. When ever "pressure" comes up I recall those days. While that was the most pressure I have ever had, I worked with an ex-Jockey at the time. He used to say "relax, if we make a mistake no one dies". Anyone who thinks they have pressure in their job, go talk to a Jockey!

For the years of 1987, 1988 and 1989 I was the "Handicap" selections in the Daily Racing Form for Playfair.

My final year at Playfair 1989, I wrote the Tout sheet for Playfair "The Blue Sheet" making selections, providing speed figures and comments on races.

Also my last year I ended up also managing the Jockey's Room. This was a very unique perspective on racing! I would keep track of the Owners Silks, and get them ready each day for the races for the Jockey's to wear. Then have to get them back after the races. Also during this period Playfair used helmet covers by Post Position. I had to ensure the Jockey's got that right also every race.

I began working at Microsoft Corporation in 1990, where I am still employed.

Last year was my first venture into Thoroughbred ownership with a claim of a Washington bred horse named TOMMY D. He was claimed from me last fall, and I have remained on the sidelines for the time being.  I do plan to venture back into ownership in the near future. It was an amazing experience. It was hard to believe how many new things there were to me, despite having worked in the racing trenches in the Race Office.