America 1919

Kentucky State Government, Governor's Office!

Inside Edwin Monroe's office, a statue of a galloping thoroughbred horse was particularly eye-catching.

"Donnie, this is the pride of Kentucky, Aristides," Edwin Monroe said proudly to Donnie. "It's no exaggeration to say that it created the prosperity of Kentucky!"

Edwin Monroe said proudly to Donnie.

Sitting on the sofa, Donnie smiled and said, "I also hope that, in the future Atlantic City, there can be such a thoroughbred horse!"

Edwin Monroe sat opposite Donnie and said calmly, "That's impossible, Donnie. The whole Kentucky has reached a consensus that they will never allow a thoroughbred to appear in Atlantic City!"

As he spoke, Edwin Monroe knocked on the desk and said seriously, "Donnie, you are a bit too eager about this. It's correct to want to diversify Atlantic City's entertainment, but for the Racing Club, you won't be able to establish it without the support of Kentucky!"

Donnie waved his hand and replied, "Edwin, I admit Kentucky monopolizes the entire US racing market, but there's something you've misunderstood!"

Edwin Monroe leaned back in his chair and asked, "What would that be?"

Donnie said, "It's no longer the 18th century, it's the 20th century now. As a representative of the 20th century, the world is no longer closed off. People know there's Europe, Africa, and Asia. Not only do they know, they can also travel there."

As Donnie said this, Edwin Monroe's face began to show a change of expression.

Donnie continued calmly, "Even as we sit here chatting, ten purebred horses that cost me 100,000 US dollars have already stepped onto a cargo ship from the United Kingdom to the United States. If all goes well, they'll arrive in Atlantic City in a fortnight!"

To make Kentucky yield, Donnie needed to have strength that would make them wary.

The strongest point Kentucky had over Donnie was its monopoly over the entire purebred horse market in the United States. Even if other states had some thoroughbreds, they could not compare to Kentucky, likewise, they couldn't fulfill Donnie's needs!

So before coming to Kentucky, Donnie had called Thomas Gilbert of the Razor Party, asking him to acquire some thoroughbreds for him.

Edwin Monroe's face started to look unsightly: "Even so, Atlantic City does not have the conditions to raise thoroughbreds. You should know that a thoroughbred needs top breeders, as well as professional horse trainers. These require years of training to be successful. I think those ten thoroughbreds of yours, by next year, there might not be many left!"

Donnie shrugged indifferently, "Edwin, I never thought these ten thoroughbreds would become next year's racehorses. They are just part of an experiment I'm conducting, to test Atlantic City's racetracks and to train our own horse trainers and breeders."

At this point, Donnie said with a relaxed tone, "I believe that as long as we're willing to spend the money, we can definitely turn Atlantic City into a place suitable for raising thoroughbreds and also raise our own trainers and breeders. Most importantly, I'm willing to spend the money, Edwin. Perhaps I can't use US dollars to make Kentucky agree with my plans, but I believe that as long as I'm willing to spend money, there will be trainers and breeders from Kentucky willing to settle in Atlantic City!"

Edwin Monroe's expression became even grimmer, "This isn't something that can be solved in a year, and according to your promotion, your Racing Club needs at least a hundred racehorses. Do you plan to ship them all from the United Kingdom?"

Donnie shook his head and replied, "Edwin, do you still not see the situation clearly? You think you have contained my source of thoroughbreds, but in fact, you haven't contained me. In the true sense, the Racing Club invites thoroughbreds owned by rich Americans to compete, and Atlantic City Racing Club simply provides them with a venue and caretaking services. Now, you're already struggling to resist just me, do you think you can contain all the wealthy owners of thoroughbreds?"

For the first time, Edwin Monroe stood up and paced back and forth, then suddenly said, "Donnie, are you really willing to give up all your business in Kentucky for a Racing Club whose profits are still unknown?"

By now, Edwin Monroe suddenly realized that all their previous actions against Donnie seemed inconsequential. Just as Donnie had said, they could prevent Donnie from buying Kentucky's thoroughbreds, but they couldn't prevent other wealthy Americans from doing so. If they tried, that would mean cutting off their own business!

"Besides, you can't possibly invite all the wealthy people to join your Racing Club!"

Edwin Monroe added.

Donnie laughed and said, "Of course, I can't invite all the wealthy, but I only need to invite a very small part of them. Edwin, you should trust that I have the ability to do so, right?"

Edwin Morrow fell into deep thought and finally shook his head, "If that's the case, then we can only end up hurting each other!"

At this point, Edwin Morrow expressed his helplessness to Donnie, "Donnie, as an individual, I really hope to help you solve this problem, but I am still the Governor of Kentucky, and in this matter, I have no way to settle it peacefully with you!"

Since Donnie came to see Edwin Morrow today, he naturally thought of a solution, "Edwin, I personally have great respect for the horse racing culture of Kentucky. In fact, it was only after watching the Kentucky Derby that I thought of holding a Racing Club event in Atlantic City. I genuinely hope that Kentucky's horse racing can continue to develop healthily!"

Edwin Morrow looked at Donnie with a wry smile, "Donnie, your words are of no use to me here unless you can think of a solution to this problem, otherwise, I can't help you!"

"Of course, there is a way!" Donnie stood up, saying earnestly, "Edwin, the Kentucky Derby actually only has one week of races throughout the year, and at other times, the races are not on a large scale. For Kentucky, the most important thing is actually the business of selling thoroughbreds, not the racing business. To show respect for the Kentucky Derby, we're willing to stop all races during the week of the event, and in our racing activities, we will strongly promote Kentucky's thoroughbreds."

Saying this, Donnie exaggeratedly raised his hands, "This is simply a win-win situation. By then, Kentucky, with the help of Atlantic City's Racing Club, can sell even more thoroughbreds, while Atlantic City, with its own Racing Club, I really can't see why Kentucky would be so resistant to the Racing Club in Atlantic City!"

It proved that regardless of the relationship, interests are indeed the most persuasive to people!

Donnie's proposal made Edwin Morrow less resistant, but after some thought, Edwin Morrow still shook his head, "Donnie, I believe your proposal indeed promises a win-win situation, but in this win-win, it's actually Atlantic City that stands to gain more. Indeed, Kentucky has only the Kentucky Derby as a fully-fledged race, but those smaller races, despite their small scale, are numerous and can bring significant income and influence to Kentucky.

What's more important are the many people profiting from these horse races; one by one, they might not seem like much, but when united, they become an interest group that no one wants to meddle with.

The last point is the psychology of the people of Kentucky. They would not be fond of an outsider, a city outside of Kentucky, surpassing Kentucky in horse racing!"

Simply put, it's xenophobia!

Donnie knew he couldn't persuade Edwin Morrow with words alone, so he played his trump card, "Edwin, I've heard that Churchill Downs is currently going through a financial crisis!"

"Indeed it is!"

Edwin Morrow nodded.

Churchill Downs, as the emblem of horse racing in Kentucky, was indeed already caught in a financial crisis, struggling even with its routine maintenance!

Donnie said, "I'm willing to personally fund the renovations of Churchill Downs and promise to allocate a portion of the profits from Atlantic City's Racing Club each year for the maintenance of Churchill Downs."

Edwin Morrow became a bit restless; he hadn't expected Donnie to make such an offer.

As the Governor of Kentucky, Edwin Morrow naturally understood the significance of Churchill Downs to Kentucky. In fact, his own inauguration ceremony was held there!

If Donnie really could provide the funds to refurbish Churchill Downs, then he might indeed leave a good impression in the hearts of the people of Kentucky!

"Donnie, this is no small expenditure! No joking around!"

Donnie naturally knew that maintaining Churchill Downs would not be cheap, but this was merely a temporary measure. Once Atlantic City's Racing Club was well-established, how to maintain it and how much to spend would be up to him!

"Of course, Edwin, I never joke. Moreover, once the Atlantic City Racing Club is established, we can hold friendship races between Atlantic City and Kentucky, one in the spring and one in the autumn each year, and we can share the proceeds. What do you think?"

Donnie continued to raise his stakes!

This time, Edwin Morrow was truly moved by Donnie's words, "Perhaps I can give it a try!"