Bobby Z's Picks Blog

Back online.

2011-12-20T10:07:00.000-08:00

Just to let everyone know that we are back online with Bobby Z's Picks at the Races.

http://bobbyzpicksattheraces.horizon-host.com/index.htm

We will use this venue in the event of any future failures at the main site.

thank you,
bobby z

Bobby Z's Picks at the Races for Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

2011-12-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

Just in case the server will remain offline for tomorrow, I added our selections for the following tracks:

Tuesday Chester Downs by Millard Beatty III

Tuesday Meadows by Mike (Augie) Augustine

Tuesday Pompano Park by Bobby Z

Tuesday Yonkers by Bobby Z

Happy Punting!

Bobby Z's PIcks for Monday Night, December 19, 2011

2011-12-19T09:56:00.000-08:00

Pompano Park Picks by Bobby Z

Woodbine Harness Picks by Bobby Z

Yonkers Picks by Bobby Z

Back up picks for Bobby Z's Picks at the Races

2011-12-19T09:39:00.000-08:00

Seems my server is down at Horizon0hst.com. I will be posting up the selections here until the site is back online.

Meadows Monday, December 19th, 2011 By Randy Brownlee

Chester Downs Selections for Monday, December, 19th 2011 By Millard Beatty III

Season's End

2011-10-22T11:16:00.000-07:00

As we closed down the season in harness racing we can look back at this year to see the sport in a state of flux. Jeff Gural and his ongoing attempt to lease the Meadowlands to save it from being sold off by Gov Christie is still jumping through legal hoops in the court system in New Jersey.

Bob Waxman received a multi-year sentence and 15 million dollar fine for his exploits in being one of the biggest harness owners in the sport.

Walter Case Jr. is about to exit his probation from an incident in which he received jail time and is hopeful to return to the sport.

The Messenger was leased out to Tioga but a hurricane forced it and the NYSS to be moved to Pocono and Vernon Downs (respectively).

See You At Peelers (slang Canadian term for gentlemen’s club) rose to the top of her field only to get in trouble at the Meadows but Peelers is about to make a comeback tonight in the Breeders Crown Elims at Woodbine.

The Ohio slot bill has been challenged in court as unconstitutional thus holding up Penn National’s multi-million dollar investment in Beulah and Raceway Park.

I am sure there are other events that I overlooked but let me assure you that as bad as these things seem to be, we as a country are going through the toughest economic time since the Great Depression so in all, the sport is holding up well.

Whether or not The Big M comes back under Gural or not, the sport itself will still carryon to grow as long as those in charge make sure that integrity is job one. The state of PA with its slot money and donations from the horsemen organizations will be implementing the new testing for ITPP, the new drug of choice brought over from Europe. If we can get all horses playing on the same level playing field, the harness fans will return.

Another good sign over the last few years have been the lowering of the retention rates (the amount of money the track deducts from the wagers that will pay for their profit, purse accounts and state taxes). Although some tracks like the Meadows like to fleece their consumers at a 35% rate on the Trifecta wagers, other more responsible tracks have taken upon themselves to lower the rates. In Canada, Northlands Downs (near Edmonton) have lowered their Win, Place and Show wagers to 10%. You rarely see a favorite go off at less than even money. Frazer Downs, another Canadian track lowered their rates to 15%.

Like all things in life, we take the good things with the bad. I foresee better days in our lives and in the sport of harness racing as long as those entrusted in its management keep the consumer and the horse stock first in their decisions. Otherwise, the racino’s will be lobbying their respective legislatures to remove the provision that mandates that they run live racing at their tracks. Once gone, harness racing will be hard pressed to return.

Finding a way

2011-08-25T18:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, I now have a way to update the site via a web based browserftp. The regular FTP is not working still but at least I have a way to still post up. It is slower but at least it is currently working.

So please ignore the previous posts regarding the posting of selections for now but remember if there ever is another problem, look here for the back-up!

Friday's Selections

2011-08-25T15:38:00.000-07:00

Above are the picks for Friday, August 26th 2011. Hope to be online as soon as I can at my regular home at Bobby Z's Picks at the Races.

Back Up Plan

2011-08-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

Above you see the one track that was not able to be posted online for today's racing. All other tracks at available at Bobby Z's Picks at the Races site. I will post Friday's selections in my next post. Hopefully, those that have found this backup to my site useful will tell your friends that I will be back as soon as Server 5 goes back online at Horizon-Host.com

When it rains, it pours!

2011-08-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

With the Verizon boot I had to move to a new location. Yesterday, Wednesday August 24th of 2011, the server I use to update my site went down at 2:56pm. At the time of this writing, 6:05pm on August 25th, it is still not operational. I am sorry that I have not been able to get online to update with new selections or post up the results. I will do so once I am able. I will be back up and running once server 5 at Horizon-Host.com goes back online.

Site is moving

2011-08-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

Seeing how the Verizon server will no longer permit people like me who used html to put up pages on the internet with FTP (File Transfer Protocol) programs, I have to move my site. The site currently is active at Verizon but also is being posted up and updated as needed at the new location. Please add the following address to your favorites list.

http://bobbyzpicksattheraces.horizon-host.com/

Hopefully I will be able to post up a simple page that will list the new address on the old site's address.

The new site appears and functions exactly as the same as the old site. The date of Verizon expected termination of the old site will be August 22nd. Hope they change their mind but if they don't, I have the new site ready to go.

USTA Response

2011-07-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

The following is the letter in response to my mailing of July 14th. In effect, I have no way other than beiing a part (member) of the USTA to get the rules changed.
Here is the letter:

Hello Mr. Zanakis,

I spoke with TC Lane in our regulatory for some insight to your question. You may know that the tracks collect and report equipment changes to the public. The type of equipment change is noted, but never the manufacturer. That is not recorded in our database.

There could be multiple companies that make a type of bit, for instance, it doesn’t change the construction or function at all. There is a list of approved bikes and I will suggest that photos be included. Are you a USTA member? If so, you are certainly welcome to propose the manufacturer or at least type, graphite vs aluminum, rather than manufacturer. I can guide you through that process.

You may have noticed that the manufacturer of a sulky makes sure that the bike ends up with top drivers who compete with talented horses that race at low odds. Almost never do you see such bikes on horses that are 50-1 from post 8 and a stable with a winning .010 average J . I recall Bill O’Donnell being asked for his thoughts on the new bikes and he noted that if the right horse was pulling it, they worked quite well J.

Please let me know if you would like to make a rule change proposal regarding equipment and I will give you the information. It would then be at the discretion of individual states to adopt those rules.

Thanks for your interest,

Ellen

Open Letter to HRC News at USTA

2011-07-14T17:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Ms Harvey:

With all the new equipment that has changed this sport over the years, the one piece that fails to get any attention in the past performance lines or the track's announcement on equipment changes for the upcoming races is the make of the sulky. In past years, when they went from the Conventional to the Modified, there was a denotation in the program thus informing the patron of the bike used. The Super Bike came into being and the USTA had a S denotation for those horses using the super bike in their races.

Today, you hear about bit changes, bridle changes, length of hopples changes but the public is totally in the dark as to the type of bike one horse is using today. A horse that has been using a TeleStar is now racing with a UFO will race differently. The USTA by ignoring this equipment change is akin to insider information on Wall Street. Those in the "know" will benefit from knowing the changes while the general public is led to another horse.

If you choose to keep the public in the dark by not listing the bike used and the tracks refuse to mention bike changes, the minimum you can do for the sport is to adjust your USTA page that lists all the Approved Sulkys. Please place pictures of all the bikes that are approved for racing (I assume you have that available when you tested these bikes) and all various types of wheels that are available. At least then, we can play on a level playing field. It is these little things that hold harness racing back.

For you information, Pompano Park failed to notify their people of a change. They started Wednesday night, July 13th, with the Hummer starting gate which has a Staggered Starting gate (which gives the outside posts a little head start at the beginning of the race) but for race 5 and beyond, they used the Cadillac back up starting car with the straight gate. I stopped wagering at Pompano Park for that should have been announced so that the people betting can adjust to the equipment change. Instead of filing complaints with the Fla state racing commission, I just mentioned it here. I will contact the Isle in St Louis to see what they can do to the people responsible for such actions.

If it these little things that drive the serious players away from Harness Racing into Thoroughbred racing. I grew up at the Meadows where 500k handle was the norm on track in the 70's. You are hard pressed to get that kind of action today even with the signal going out to hundred of wagering hubs. People have a low opinion on harness racing. It is these errors of omission that hurt the sport as much as errors of commission where horses are drugged in an attempt to win races.

bobby z

Meadows Mangement (oxymoron)

2011-07-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

The goal of any business is to do anything for your business that will increase your traffic (number of customers) who will spend more money on your products (here it is betting on racing). Meadows Management in its infinite wisdom finally lowered their superfecta based bet down to fifty cents (not to a dime like the vast super majority of other tracks in the sport). Ok, give them credit to at least see a need to change with the times though it was short of what is needed.

Today, I was contacted by a reporter from the Pittsburgh Tribune who was interested in my thoughts about the retention rate of the trifecta wagering pools. To my surprise, the Meadows rate which I recalled was 29% (which I felt was too high to start with) was being raised to 35%. At that rate, it is the highest tax on wagering money in North America. That distinction goes to only two Pennsylvania tracks (Pocono Downs and The Meadows) that are charging that rate for their trifecta pools.

To me, taxing 35 cents from every dollar I wager is way out of line. I consider it to be usury rates of taxation. Though there is no law protecting the consumer, we are free to make a wager at Pocono or at The Meadows or NOT. The problem is that these tracks fail to mention to the public the usury rates that they are taking out of the pools.

If you live in Pennsylvania, you already know how the present administration is putting the screws to our educational system and other factors that affect the working man/woman. It just may be time to start a contacting both Pocono Downs and The Meadows just to make them consider what they are doing.

I can see that the Meadows is making over 120 million in just slots alone each year not to mention the tens of millions of profits from the table games, so why do they need to screw us, the racing patron to the tune of 35%? Makes no sense from a business point of view UNLESS it is their desire to purposely kill the horse racing business. If you have wagered at either Pokie or Meadows in the past and are thinking about doing it again, please rethink your reasoning in supporting a business that has no desire to give their "suckers an even break".

Simulcasting 101

2011-06-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

When we go to the races and wager on the same races being run, it is called on-track wagering. We actually have to be at the track in person to wager. There are other menus (options) for us to place a wager. These options are what we call Simulcast Wagering. In that we are wagering and viewing at a location other than the racetrack itself that run the races live. You can be at home calling on the phone to place a wager or you can be online using the computer to place the wager. You can be at a simulcast outlet with friends watching many different tracks on different monitors at the same time.

Today's racing wagers originate at the host track (hub track) and through simulcast outlets throughout USA and Canada. By agreements (contracts) these simulcast outlets will get paid a certain percentage of all wagers made through their operations paid for from the funds that are paid to the host track running the races. On average, you can expect a simulcast outlet to get about 3 percent of the monies wagered at the simulcast outlet on the host track races. This percentage is deducted from the host track's percentage (cut) of the retention percentage that is applied to the various wagering pools. The host track averages about 10 percent of whatever is handled in the wagering pools. So in effect, the 3 percent paid to the simulcast outlet is paid by the host track from their 10 percent (or more) of their rates of payment from the total pools.

The state where the track is located will get their cut (percentage) of the retention rate deducted from the pools. This rate is set into law by the state legislature. Each track has a contract with the horsemen. That contract will dictate the amount (percentage) of the retention rate that will deducted from the total pool that will be deposited into the purse accounts of said horsemen.

There are some people today, who mistakenly see simulcast wagering much like betting with a bookie (bookmaker). A bookmaker sets his own line (percentages) and may limit the amount he pays. The money he receives from the losing customers goes directly into his pocket. Similarly, the money paid out to the winning customers comes directly from his pocket. The state, track and horsemen never see a penny of this money wagered. It is also illegal to use or be a bookmaker.

Definitions
ADW (Advanced Deposited Wagering): Online/Phone wagering companies that accept wagers in the USA and Canada.

Retention Rate: The amount of money (%) of the total wagered that is deducted get the net pool.

Host Track: The racetrack/racino that is actually running the race.

Host Track Percentage: The percentage deducted from the total pool wagered that goes to the track running the race.

Simulcast Outlet: The establishment off track that is licensed to accept wagers not

State Tax: Tax rate determined by the state legislature that is deducted from the total pool.

Purse Account Percentage: The percentage of the money wagered that is deducted by contract for the horsemen's purses.

Purse: The amount of money that is up for grabs to the top 5 horses to finish the race.

OTBs: Off Track Betting establishment that accepts wagers on simulcast races from US and Ca.
-----------
Editors note:
Why would some people prefer to use the phone/computer at home instead of attending in person at the track or at a OTB simulcast room?

Here are Jake's views upon the subject.
Most of us bet online because:
(1.) The OTBs/tracks treat us badly, the food is lousy, no rebates.
(2.) All most tracks and OTBs care about is $ 2.00 churn.
(3.) They are a textbook for treating customers Poorly
(4.) Why spend gas, tools etc. when we can use that to bet from HOME.
(5.) If the weather is bad so what.
(6.) I cant tell you how many guys I know who bet 100's of bucks won't go back. Can you blame them?

Jake
----------------------
Special thank-you goes out to Earl and Jake of the Pandy-Group who without their inspiration and guidance this page would not be possible.

Best of Times and Worst of Times

2011-06-08T14:52:00.001-07:00

This is the time of year for eternal hope in the horse racing business. All the youngsters (2-year olds) will be hitting the track this week and the weeks coming up. All those purchases at the sales last year will hopefully be earning their keep once they race for money starts in earnest. If you live close to a racetrack you can watch them qualify in the morning or watch them race in the evening. These will be the stars of tomorrow. These are the best of times.

I would think that there are some people that will show up at either The Meadows or Tioga Downs this Friday, June 10, 2011 and be sad that live racing will not be contested at either track. The days of the Racino now trump harness racing when it comes to booking has-been recording artist. The Meadows are having the Beach Boys while Tioga is having Salt N Pepper. What has happened to this sport is unthinkable ten years ago. Today, horse racing plays 2nd fiddle in the Racino's operation. It is no wonder that the crowds of today pale in comparison to those of just a decade ago.

Lack of entries for Big M's card on May 13, 2011.

2011-05-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

Many people are capping on the horsemen for not entering enough horses for the card on May 13th at the Big M. I disagree with all those negative comments.

See: http://www.harnessracing.com/news/luchentopleadswithindustrytoenterhorses.html

Horsemen are independent contractors responsible for their own business. If they choose not to drop in the box at the Big M, it is a business decision. The Big M can not compete with the tracks that offer slots/table games. The horsemen owe the Big M and the state of New Jersey nothing as it is their risk of capital and labor that is put on the line every day.

I do not fault them for the demise of the sport; but rather fault the state authorities that regulate it and received billions in tax revenues over the years but today will do nothing to change the law to permit the track to compete on a level playing field.

Goes back to the passage in the movie "Field of Dreams"..'Build it and they will come.' If New Jersey permitted slots/table games to be added to the Big M, the horsemen will come. You have to lay the blame where it belongs, the state of New Jersey itself We do live in a free market society for the most part. Horsemen are free to race whereever and whenever they choose.

You got to change with the times.

2011-04-22T18:16:00.001-07:00

The Meadows at one time was on the cusp of new innovations in the sport of harness racing. The artificial racing surface (just like Astro-Turf) was placed over the Meadows oval. They also were one of the first to introduce the phone wagering system known back then as Call-A-Bet which later became XpressBet when it was spun off when Magna Entertainment owned the racetrack. They also were one of the first to use the inside passing lane which Roger called the “lightening lane”. The Meadows Racing Network was also one of the first satellite signals dedicated to displaying live races at the track.

In more recent years, the track management has not been looking forward as they had their eyes on Slots and Table Games of chance. They just got into the 90’s by offering a less than a dollar wager on the Superfecta. They had the chance to make it a dime like most of the tracks in North America but the powers that be at the Meadows decided on a $0.50 minimum wager denomination.

With the added money added to the purse structure at Pennsylvania tracks, the time might be right to cut back on the number of days that the track races. Invitational and Preferred races at Chester provide $35,000 in purse money. Pocono Downs offers $30,000 while the Meadows can only muster $22,500 for the top classification of horse races. We do not need year round racing any more. With the simulcast signals available at home on our cable or Internet connections we can watch/play any race that we care to. The days of going to the races for each card is yesterday’s news. By cutting back on racing days, they can up the purses like other tracks in Pa who only race part of the year.

I would rather be competitive with other tracks in Pa during the summer months than to offer year round racing. To see the best in Pa in overnight races, one has to travel out of South Western Pa to Chester or Pocono. Get with the program Meadows Management and do the right thing. Bring the best horses to our area by having the highest purses possible. You cannot do that by racing year-round.

April 30th

2011-04-22T09:08:00.001-07:00

We will return online on 04.30.11 providing our selections at Bobby Z's Picks at the Races. We will handle the Meadows, Pocono Downs, Chester Downs, Woodbine-Mohawk, Yonkers, Tioga Downs, Ocean Downs and the Big M if they race this summer. We will end our 2011 season with the close of Tioga Downs in September.

Have a great summer to one and all!

2010 Tioga Meet Coming To A Close

2010-09-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

As the 2010 Meet at Tioga Downs comes to a close; so does the experiment in lowering the retention rates to the lowest allowable under New York State law. My site is also closing after racing on September 12th.

I wish to thank you all for helping out and visiting my site and/or blog. Do not be disheartened as I plan to be back in the spring. We will open back up the first Saturday in May.

The tracks that we will be covering are tentative based upon whether Tioga Downs and Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs retains the lower retention rates in 2011. Another dark cloud on the horizon is the problem with the Governor of New Jersey shutting off the subsidies from the Atlantic City Casinos to the Meadowlands Racetrack and with said Governor desiring to sell or lease the track itself.

We plan to offer the following lineup if all things work out for the best.

The Meadowlands
The Meadows
Harrah’s at Chester Downs
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
Yonkers Raceway
Tioga Downs
Woodbine/Mohawk
Ocean Downs

Please note that Ocean Downs now has the slots and the new facility will be open. They had to close for a vast majority of the 2010 meet running only on a few Saturday’s conducting racing without wagering in the Maryland Sire Stake series. I think the purses will be doubled next summer. Look for this to be one of the up and coming racing venues in the sport.

I again wish to thank you all for your support and look forward to bringing to light the best selections we have to offer.

The Time is Right.

2010-08-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

With the pending problems in New Jersey with the Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park (thoroughbred racetrack) that are operated by the state of New Jersey, there exists a opportunity to bring the best in harness racing to SW Pa.

Gov Christie (whose political supporters are from South NJ and the Atlantic City casino owners) has decided that no more money from Atlantic City or the state will be funneled into a losing business. The Governor plans to get the public sector out of the racetrack business.

Since its inception in 1976, The Meadowlands soon became the face of harness racing. In the future without slots and without supported funding from the Atlantic City Casinos, this may be the end of racing, as we know it in New Jersey.

The time is right for someone with vision within the Meadows Racetrack ownership to make a move. In the event that the Big M (The Meadowlands RT) closes, the Meadows is in great financial position to acquire some of the best stake races in the sport.
This could create a vast array of new stables moving here. The quality of racing will surely improve and it would be a huge shot in the arm for our local economy. I personally wish the current management and staff cared about the horse industry as much as they do their slots and table games. It is the standardbred that created this business and they should nurture, protect and improve the conditions so that it can continue to thrive in our back yard.

The Big M Syndrome

2010-08-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Got into a discussion regarding the pending Big M sale or closure. We tried to come up with the most dramatic change that came into racing after the arrival of the Big M.

We came up with the biggie, and that is the professional driver who no longer is the owner and trainer in addition to the driver. That new breed of driver caused a ripple effect through out the sport. No longer did the owner have hands on training and driving. In effect it created a bidding up of purses that in turn bid up the prices of horses at sales.

This more of a business attitude in the sport took it from the farm to the boardroom. Lou Guida and his syndicate led the charge into the future. The quest for profit and the pressure put upon the trainers in this sport changed the landscape too. Back in the old days, you cared for your horse and would not drive it into the ground nor would you give it substances that in time would endanger the animal. This change over from a sport to a business came with a terrible cost. The trainers taking shortcuts have hurt both their animals and the sport itself to the extent that people no longer find it an entertaining place as it once was. We became of age.

If the Big M does not survive, at least we know it did bring in the business aspect to what was more of a county fair type race environment. Add the slots into the mix and heaven knows what is next with these higher purses and more people taking short cuts to make a fast buck. We must respect the equines of the world. I leave you with this passage:

"Look back at man's struggle for freedom, trace his present day strength to its source, and you'll find the his pathway to glory is strewn with the bones of the horse." (Anonymous)

Tioga Contest and fairness

2010-07-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

On Sunday's contest selections I did not use the pp's but rather used the headnumbers drawn at Tioga. I did it to prove a point but found another problem. The point is that if you know the horses, you can be very effective picking them without the program in front of you.

I did end up in front of all the other three Pen v Chip contestants. Problem is that I should have another 12 dollars in my bankroll. My picks for Race 10 were 5 with the 6 with the 4. Only 5 horses were printed in the race program Instead of getting another $12 in my pocket, I am out two bucks. I posted the following reply to their thread and will post it here for your inspection.

The USTA and Trackmaster should be fair

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let us face it, not every one has the money to purchase a program and uses the entries posted at USTA as their guide. When the first published post positions go out to the racing fans, they should remain in that order throughout the process. Once posted online is the final say.

The USTA and Trackmaster should not have the option to delete the entry from the field after it was assigned a post position and head number. In the event the horse was scratched, there still will be a five horse field but the head numbers would be constant. In an era of the public leaving the sport, this is just one tip of the problematic iceberg in harness racing.

If those of you recall the PA Championships at Pokie last Sep 12th, you would know that Rustys All In did not race in the 14th race as programed in Trackmaster sold to the public nor was those patrons notified of the reissue of said program once the mistake was found. The horse Clear Vison started from that 4 hole at Pokie that day and if you also remember that Clear Vision last race was a closing 2nd in the Cane Pace at Freehold. Rustys All In did race that day in the 4th but that program failed to have him listed to run there. HOW MANY MORE MISTAKES can a person take before they tell Harness Racing that they can go to hell?

Wake up track owners, USTA members and get your house in order before people like me who have supported this industry since Richard Nixon's first term will leave you and bet stricly on other venues that crooked, misinformed and juiced/gassed up horses running around free while ownerships and managment walks around with blinders.

Back to the contest, you should not scratch the 6 from the race BECAUSE THE SIX NEVER ENTERED! no head number, no entry.

Just delete the whole contest as people who do not buy a program bets on an uneven playing field.
__________________
"THE INTEGRITY OF THE SPORT IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY"
- Anton J. Lepper, (former) Executive Director , PA Harness Racing Commission

New Age Pacing Triple Crown

2010-07-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again when I post up a new thread with a proposal to end the old Triple Crown in harness racing and bring in the new.

The New Age Pacing Triple Crown should be:
The North American Cup
The Meadowlands Pace
The Jug (if they move it late July and have elims a week before)

If not and The Adios reaches a Million Dollar status in its purse, then the Adios will decide the Triple Crown.

The Jug with its small purse and multiple heat racing is racing of yesteryear. It might sound like blasphemy but things change and harness racing should change too.

Six weeks of competition is more in line with Thoroughbred's five weeks from Kentucky Derby to the Belmont. Really have not thought of the trotting side as I will leave that to another to postulate upon.

Time For Us to Send a Message

2010-04-23T10:00:00.001-07:00

To those that like to wager on the ponies:

It is time for us to send a message. With all the hype regarding the Kentucky Derby, horse race fans have a chance to send a serious message to the industry this 1st of May. It is not with what is happening in Kentucky; but, rather the start of what can be a revolution in the sport of harness racing in New York.

Tioga Downs has taken the brave steps to lower their takeout rates (retention) in a effort to both help raise the handle at their track and give back more money to their patrons in the form of higher payouts. If we all do a little betting at their track starting on May 1st and make a conscience effort of supporting their move, we can let other tracks see the viability in their doing the same to create higher handle at their tracks. In the end, by betting the Tioga Downs races this season, we can actually influence the industry a bit to benefit all concerned.

I applaud the this move by Tioga and hope they get the our support.

Tioga Downs Expectations

2010-04-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

Tioga Downs and the wagering public are about to set sail on uncharted harness racing waters. Tioga Downs has listened to its customer base that desires to have a smaller percentage (retention rate) assessed on the wagering dollar. They will be lowering their take out on all wagers for the 2010 race meet.

Based on the final week’s handle which appear below:
$119,487 - 10 races (Wed)
$121,206 - 13 races (Fri)
$157,511 - 11 races (Sat)
$140,772 - 11 races (Sun)

That totals to $538,936 for the closing week. I think we can at least double that with our wagers to send a signal to all of racing that this lowering of the rates is the right thing to do. The average race in the final week handled $11,977.24 per race. If we can bring that average up to $24k, we will make other racetracks (especially in Pennsylvania) take notice.

Bottom line is that by helping Tioga Downs succeed in this experiment will benefit not only them; but, in turn force the retention rate down across the sport. Those tracks that offer slots and table games will pay particular attention as to where the gambling dollar is spent. We have the opportunity to help change the tide in horseracing to benefit the consumer instead of being the one leached to the end by the high take out rates.

May 1st the experiment starts. Will you be part of the solution? Bet Tioga Downs.

May 1, 2010

2010-04-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

Bobby Z's Picks at the Races returns as Tioga Downs kicks off their 2010 season on May 1st with post time of 6:50 EDT. Yours truly will handle the handicapping chores at Tioga Downs. Anne and Kevin will split Woodbine/Mohawk and The Big M while Millard will take care of Ocean Downs and Chester Downs. The Meadows will be handicapped by Randy, Augie and Richard. Let us have a great summer.

If you are looking for a venue to wager your race money, check out http://www.betamerica.com/pp/robzan who offers a $100 bonus if one meets the wagering criteria and BetAmerica.com offers 3 percent Cash Rebates on many of their tracks. Free Video and Race Replay library is a must for any online ADW and BetAmerica has them.

See you all on the First Saturday in May!

We Are Coming Back

2010-03-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

Due to the recent announcement that Tioga Downs will be lowering it's retention rates (take out) for the 2010 season, I have decided to give them my support and using their races as one of the tracks we will offer starting in May once they begin their new season.

We will be adding a few more tracks to the list which may or not be the same as in past seasons. I hope to offer Ocean Downs and the Meadows and if possible, Chester Downs. I have to contact all those that were part of this operation to see if they too would like to contribute to the site.

Bobby Z's Picks at the Races will continue offering our selections till the end of the Tioga Downs or Ocean Downs meet (which ever is the latter). You may see some of our picks from time to time on the site leading up to the starting date of May 1st. The site's pages will change as we get ready for the late spring and summer meets.

Effect of Rivers Casino upon the Meadows Casino

2010-03-07T21:17:00.001-08:00

All one needs to do is to see the handles between the Rivers Casino on Pittsburgh’s North-shore and The Meadows Race Track and Casino in Meadowlands Pa.

The trend lines depicted in the following charts indicate a serious problem with attracting the public to wager at the Meadows Racino. The shorter the duration the more pronounced the difference between the two. What I have a hard time understanding is the fact that the slot machines at the Meadows have been paying out the most of ANY of the slot establishments in the state. The Rivers Casino ranks 6th for this calendar year.

The three charts display the handles of both casinos over 29 weeks, 8 weeks and 4 weeks of action in their houses.

You can plainly see that the shorter the time period studied, the more pronounced the gap between the two is rising. The Meadows must address this problem or else lose the battle. Funny thing about the Meadows is that they found that they actually do better slot action when live racing is conducted at the track as opposed to non-racing days. That might be a key to the turn around. Race six days a week with 10 races per day will keep the number of races consistent (currently running 4 days of 15 races per day). You would keep you customers here for 6 days instead of them leaving for other venues on the 3 days the track is dark.

PA SLOT REVENUE TRENDLINE

2010-02-03T22:37:00.001-08:00

Just to let you all know while our tax relief ( 34% of the slot revenue as per the chart at http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/?p=52 ) has remained constant, the trendline (which tracks the rate of change in a series of weekly statewide handle at the slots) has increased.

The problem is that our tax-rebates (for school taxes) have remained constant since we started to receive the relief via our homestead exemption. Why are the proceeds stagnant while the revenues are increasing at the following chart (attached in jp form).

I urge all PA residents who feel as I to notify and inquire with your elected officials as to why the stagnation in the tax-relief when the trendline has been and will with all certainly being increasing at a near constant rate?

HOY (Horse of the Year)

2009-11-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

After watching the Classic yesterday and the performance put in by Zenyatta, all one could hear was with that win should give her the Horse of the Year honors.

I have to disagree with all who think similarly. First off, Zenyatta had a decided home field advantage. As anyone who has flown across the country can tell you of jet lag, any horse that ships from their home to Southern California must first get acclimated to the time difference and recover from the problems of the trip.

Secondly, one must be able to breathe the air of LA. My friend Bill moved from SW Pa to LA Ca some years ago. He ran 5 miles per day back east but was hard pressed to run one half mile in LA and he was very winded.

Zenyatta has raced her whole life against Southern California females for all her 13 races coming into the classic. She is a freak of nature in that she is huge, 17.5 hands high. In the Classic, she let all the other horses expend their energy for most of the mile before she made her move with ½ mile remaining. Like my friend Bill, those who raced early were winded and were tiring. Only one horse, Gio Ponti, was able to close inside like Zenyatta. Gio Ponti is not a horse for the artificial surface but rather the best turf horse running today in the states.

If Zenyatta met Gio Ponti on the turf, Gio Ponti would clean her clock. If this race were held outside of California, Gio Ponti would clean her clock. It is only the home field advantage and the acclimation to the stale LA air that permitted Zenyatta to succeed. It is this author’s opinion, that Zenyatta deserves not the HOY award.

Who would I vote for? Probably Gio Ponti as he raced against his preferred surface and against the stale air of Southern California. I know in my heart, that Gio Ponti did something that I know Zenyatta could not of done and that is to finish 2nd to Gio Ponti on the grass.
------
Just received a post from one of my online groups and had to add to this post.

Message: 15
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 05:39:00 -0800 (PST)
From: Jason
To: derby@derbylist.com
Subject: [Derby] Rachel Clearly HOtY
Message-ID: <755608.20796.qm@web52909.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I hope the voters do the right thing and give the award to Rachel.

This is nothing against the amazing Zenyatta who goes down as one of the all time greats. Unfortunately her owners, while giving us a major thrill this past weekend, didn't do enough.

Ultimately, their decision to scratch Zenyatta on a sloppy Oaks day track in Kentucky this spring probably costs their mare HOY.

As a result, Zenyatta has exactly one smashing victory to her credit and never raced outside the beautiful but screwed up state of California.

Hey, it's not her fault. She already proved she can run on dirt. Unfortunately that was in 2008. Her smashing Oaklawn win over a good G1 horse in Ginger Punch doesn't matter now because it's 2009.

Rachel had FIVE smashing wins in 2009. The three against colts and her 19+ lengths triumphs against the girls.

Five > One.

Just one man's opinion.
--------

Pa and its horse tracks are NOT fan friendly

2009-10-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Pennsylvania racetracks and the laws pertaining to the wagering upon these races are NOT fan friendly.

In the early 90’s, the Pa state legislature and the PA Racing Commission changed the accounting methods of tracks retention rates on wagering on their racing product. Up till the change implemented, the procedure would calculate the odds based on subtracting the winning wagers from the total pool leaving the net pool to be multiplied by the retention rate and that money (goes to the track, state and horsemen) to be deducted from the net pool leaving the rest to be returned to the winning wagers.

Best example I can give you is a total pool of 10,000.00. $4,000 was wagered on the winning horse and the given is the retention rate of 20%. The net pool before retention would be $6,000. Applying the retention rate of 20%, would give you $1,200 to be deducted to go to the state, track and horsemen. The balance of $4,800 would be returned to the winning tickets (in this case 2,000 tickets.) The payoff would be $8,800.00 paid out to the public that translates into a $4.40 Win Ticket for those who bet correctly.

After the change of rules, they have since then to this very day take the retention rate on the total pool prior to deducting the winning tickets. In the example above, $10,000 was the total pool, now the retention rate is deducted which is $2,000.00 leaving the $8,000 balance to be distributed. Since there was $4,000 bet on the winner, would mean the $2 payout would now be $4.00. In essence, instead of winning $2.40 on your winning wager, you now would only win $4.00, a decrease of 16.67% of your winnings. This is what the state and racing commission put in place in the early 90’s.

If anyone thinks this is fan friendly, wait till you see the next example. The above retention of 20% seems high to the slot players, as their retention rate statewide is approximately 8.774% so far in 2009. The tracks highest retention rates tend to be in the trifecta pools. The Meadows is listed at 29%, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is 35%, Philly Park 30%, Penn National at 31% and Harrah’s Chester Downs is listed at 30%. I can honestly tell you all that nowhere in North America are the retention rates listed as high as in Pennsylvania.

A decade so or longer ago, the state also gave the horsemen a break by removing the state sales tax on the sale of the horses. No matter if the horse was claimed in a claiming race or a private sale, the state no longer took out the 6% sales tax.

So far, the state has done nothing for the consumer. Sure I got my first tax relief from the slot money last year with a deduction of $99 on my school taxes. I expected more this year as the state revenue from slots increased 30 percent but I only got the same deduction ($99) as last year but my school board rose my taxes both years which negated my so called tax relief. Seems to me the promise of the slots to give the homeowners tax relief was overstated; in that, the extent of the promise has not yet to be fulfilled.

The purse structure today is unreal. Some tracks have Maiden races worth $80k (maiden is a race where the entrants have yet won their first race). Lost in all this legislation is the common fan and homeowner. Seems to me there needs to be a revisiting of the slot bill by the legislature to design something to benefit those who have supported the community and racing in this state for decades.

First suggestion is to reinstate the sales tax on the sale of horses. The state is always increasing the tax on cigarettes and alcohol but who is most able to pay taxes are those who benefited from the Slot Legislation. Secondly I would suggest to change the method of calculating the winning wagers back to the prior system, in that, the tracks should not be permitted in taking a cut off of a winning wager but only take their percentage off of the losing wagers. That would increase the winning wagers by 16.67%. While we are on retention rates, I would suggest that all the rates in the state be reduced to a level where the state is the lowest in North America. You will see all the money pouring in from across the continent once they public is notified of the best return available for their wagering dollar is in PA. 35% of a total pool retention rate is highway robbery. Slot players get a rate of 8.774% and we are taxed 4 times as high.

In the event that the state keeps the present status quo, I suggest that every fan of horse racing in Pennsylvania refuse to attend, wager online, or even refuse to use your bookie for racing at a PA track. Our money can be wagered anywhere in the USA and this state and this racing industry have ignored their fans and tax payers long enough. It is time for the silent majority to be heard. Call your representative, your track operator and let them know that you do not want to be ripped off any more.

Editorial

2009-10-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

Below appears a copy of my most recent editorial.

---------
ADIOS
October 09, 2009

October 8th was the last day of operation for my site. It has been over 6 years since I started this project that came out of my love for horse racing, music and computers.

Bobby Z’s Picks at the Races started out as just my picks for the Meadows. Back then in August of 2003, I was just a little over one year from my Bone Marrow Transplant (stem cell) for my CML (Leukemia).

Since then, I added on friends and people from my online groups who shared a similar interest in horse racing. We eventually added flat racing from time to time. It can be tough job working and updating the site 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. The site is still a viable option for my hobby still to this day but financial concerns have forced my hand. Many of my friends and some who are also race analysts on the site offered to kick in to defray the costs of the site but I declined. Hopefully someday, things will be different and I can resume my activities for the site.

For those that are disappointed in our departure I can only say I am truly sorry. I prefer not to make it a pay site and all that it entails so I just will fade away. Someone mentioned that maybe I could accept donations but that would also lead into other problems that I have not foreseen at this juncture.

I will still keep a keen eye on horse racing whether it be harness or thoroughbred and if I connect on a large enough score, look for me to come back with a vengeance! Although I have been a free site, I still consider all the viewers as my customers. Some, who have contacted me via email, have become online friends. I wish the best for all my patrons over the years and extend a warm thank you for your participation in my hobby. God Bless you all.

Adios

2009-09-28T09:58:00.001-07:00

Everything has its season in this world. So too has my site. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am forced to close up shop at my site. The last day of selections to be provided will be October 08, 2009.

I must say it has been both interesting and a valuable learning experience. I hope you had some fun along the way as I.

I will continue to post to this blog from time to time but the subject matter may or may not involve horse racing.

Thank you for being part of my life. I will leave you with a phrase that I heard an elderly gentlemen say while leaving Mountaineer Racetrack some years ago. "My worst day at the track is head and heels over my best day at work!".

Adios

Pompano Park Sep 19th

2009-09-20T20:31:00.001-07:00

The following text was emailed to me by a friend in South Florida, long time harness race fan and owner. These accounts have not been edited. It is this writer's belief that the Isle Of Capris thinks not highly of the horseracing end of the business in their attempt to gain the gambling dollar. Thank you for submitting this to me.
------------------------------------------

The Opening was NOT good in so much as the Track was Terrible. They had a Huge Crowd which we were happy to see, but then learned, that the Grandstand was the ONLY Floor Open. (They closed everything upstairs) And it was BLAZING HOT there, and No AC and a lot of the Fans were not even on.

When you came in they had a table way off to the left with 2 women who were giving out T-Shirts and or Key Chains. NO SIGN nothing to let people know. This should have been set up where people entered the track. And what I was NOT happy about was that the T-Shirts they were giving away (which was never advertised) said ISLE OF CAPRI CASINO.... Nothing about the Track or the Horses. Sad.

NEITHER of the Bathrooms were open at that end either.

The most horrendous part was at the far end of the Grandstand they had 4 BETTING WINDOWS open and like 8 BETTING MACHINES. The lines were so backed up and so long and MANY people got shut out. Besides the Tellers didn't know what the heck they were doing. All the other windows were CLOSED. So anyone at the other end had to come way down the other side to bet. (which they couldn't get in most of the time).
This is sad. A BIG CROWD and MANY YOUNG people (which we were happy to see) and the presentation and facilities were awful. Does not make for a good showing. And I wonder how many of the young people will return.

They had a Band set up way down the walk by the Casino, which was a nice thing, but only could hear it at the track, could not see them. Then I heard they were having Fireworks after the races. Needless to say NO WHERE did I see this in a newspaper or circular to know about the T-Shirts, Band or Fireworks.

By the 7th Race many people left, One probably because the heat (it was terrible) secondly could not get a bet in and the lines at the 2 Stands for food were long.
Not impressive and it could have been such a good thing had they put any time or consideration into these events. And thought about the comfort of the Fans.

I was told however that during the time they were closed they did resurface the track, which was a plus. But as I had told you previously the Barn area, is still in bad condition and the roads still have pot holes. Which is so dangerous for the horses.

All in all, time will tell how many people will return. It is quite obvious they are only concerned for their Casino, and that is where they want the Fans to be, but Horsemen and True Fans do want to be able to see the races and this will not happen in the Casino. If everyone just wanted to watch races on the TV they can do that at home W/Live racing from the tracks. You wonder why they lose Fans!!!

------------------------------

I again have to thank my friend in South Florida for sharing the experience of the opening day of Pompano Park's 2009-2010 race meet.

If you are from the area or just care about horse racing at Pompano Park, you can email your thoughts to the following people with Isle of Capris:
John Yinger at John.Yinger@islecorp.com
Michael Bloom at Michael.Bloom@islecorp.com
Bob Strom at Bob.Strom@islecorp.com
Shane R. Gray at Shane.Gray@islecorp.com
Jim White at Jim.White@islecorp.com

Let them know that there are people out there that care about racing in Southern Florida.

Caveat Emptor Déjà vu

2009-09-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

It has been brought to my attention that another program error occurred in the past performances supplied by Trackmaster for the Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs racing on September 12th, 2009.

Look at the program for Race 4 and notice the name of the horse listed as Number 8.

You can plainly see that Wambam Sam was listed as Number 8 in the race.

Pay attention to the results of Race 4 listed below:

Yes, Rusty's All in ran as the horse number 8. In both cases, the wagering public was mislead. The responsibility of the Trackmaster, USTA and Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs to provide accurate information to protect the public from these blind switches. In both cases, the Judges should of permitted both #8 in the 4th and #4 in the 14th to race as NON WAGERING ENTITIES (barred from wagering) but permitted to run for purse money only.

This should never happen if the state paid judges did their job. The USTA. Trackmaster and Pocono all made money on this venture and none are claiming responsibility. They are all considered to be part of the problem. Each in their own right have within their control a way to rectify this. They all desire not to and we; the wagering public are at risk every time we wager using their products.

Caveat Emptor
Let the Buyer Beware

Caveat Emptor

2009-09-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

The United States Trotting Association sells the rights for the past performances to a company named Trackmaster. The wagering public then purchases the past performances. We expect that the information purchased to be true to form and to be protected by unlisted horses being run in the races that we wager upon.

September 12, 2009 in Race 14 at Pocono Downs, Trackmaster's PP's lists the horses entered as the following:

Unknown to those who used the above page is the fact that Clear Vision (the horse that finished 2nd in the Cane Pace to Vintage Master) was actually wearing head number 4. Those that thought Rusty's All In was # 4 were mislead. Who is responsible to making sure the product we purchased is not defective?

The judges at Pocono Downs should of scratched #4 Clear Vision as a wagering entity but permitted him to run for purse only. The betting public would of been protected. It makes this author think about quitting harness racing all together seeing how we are at risk every time we spend our money betting or buying race past performances.

First Impression

2009-09-07T14:19:00.000-07:00

Below are two postings regarding the Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Seems Mr. Jeannot has not attained the level of effiencey needed to make certain that his place is up to par.
-------------------
To: pandy@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 7:04 AM
Subject: [pandy] Holiday weekend at the BMM slots

A few out of town friends were visiting this weekend and after going to Wheeling Downs on Friday for the table games and seafood buffet (I think Bobby Z was there because all the crab legs were gone!) we stopped at the Meadows. Now picture this...it's a holiday weekend, at 7PM there was a drawing for $20K...you would think that everything would be shined and ready to go, right? WRONG!! About 95% of the GameMaker machines (poker, blackjack and keno) were down for upgrades on a Friday night. These machines are the most popular on the floor and virtually have constant play and they were turned off. I wonder what management was thinking?? We then decided to go to Cibos and get a slice of pizza (the seafood buffet had worn off) and lo and behold the soda dispenser did not have any CO2 and all the pop was flat!! What a way to impress first time visitors to the BMM!!By the way, we did venture back down on Sunday evening and after a power outage, about 25% of the machines did not recover and remained disabled. The group consensus was that future outings be limited to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.
--------------
Another writer states his reply to the above.

that's why they say you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. lately there have been a number of machines that have been taken out of service for for maintenence, but usually they don't pull them off until 10pm. the food court has had its share of problems long lines, stickey floors and no ice at the pop machines. the no ice problem would seem to be an easy fix but they are usually out on the busy nights.

The Employment Executioner is back

2009-09-01T10:35:00.001-07:00

With the Meadows announcement that Mike Jeannot is now running the racetrack and food service at the Meadows look for the hatchet to fall upon the heads of those people who gave their lives to making the Meadows the place that we all come to love.

This so called manager has a track record that dates back to the early 90’s when he came into power after George Goodwill stepped down as head of Ladbroke USA. Mr. Jeannot went straight to work releasing the people who ran Meadows Catering (formerly run by Harry M. Stevens Inc). He gave pink slips to the whole management team, lock stock and barrel. He had people brought in from the outside to run the operation who had no experience of running a racetrack. Basically they took a viable operation and ran it into the ground. When confronted with employees that he wanted gone but were protected by a union, he would offer them a managerial job then after a while would let them go as they no longer have job security via the union contract.

I know he will start cutting jobs that are being served by people who have decades of experience with the company. Some of who knew Delvin Miller personally. Delvin was instrumental in using union help at his track.

I have heard the hatchet has all ready fallen on his first day. All you need to do is to call the Meadows and you will no longer hear the friendly voice of the operator who has been there for over 40 years. Yes, she was let go by the employment executioner, Mike Jeannot.

We learn in racing that we try to predict the future outcome of the race by analyzing the past performances of the horses entered in the race. The same is true for Mike Jeannot, as this horse is running true to form.

43rd Running of the Adios Pace

2009-07-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

August 1st, 2009 is shaping up to be one of the most memorable and eventful running in the history of this race. In its 43rd year, I have seen 38 of them. Missing only those years that I was too young to attend and the one year I lived in Miami.

WELL SAID is one monster of a horse. He will be attempting to do what only two other horses have done. That is to win the North American Cup (the largest purse of all harness racing, 1.5 million Canadian), the Meadowlands Pace (a million US) and the Adios (est. 600k).

It was first done in 1994 by Cam's Card Shark (whose part owner is also part owner of Well Said) and David's Pass in 1995. Well Said has a chance to break the all age track record of the Meadows which he set himself last week in 1:49 flat.

If the weather cooperates, we can see a world record tied or broken (1:48:2 at Chester) for 3 year old colts on the pace. We could also see the all age world record be tied or broken as it stands at 1:48 flat.

You could not write a better script for the inaugural Adios Pace for the new facility. I thank God that I am alive to see it.

Road to the Meadows Profitablity

2009-07-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

On the news of MEC of Pa (company responsible for running the horse racing at the Meadows) filing for bankruptcy protection, here are my thoughts to help the Meadows bottom line.

Based on a daily average for the handle at both slots and Meadows racing reveals the following. In May (afternoon racing), Meadows racing generated an average of $604,893 handle per day while in June (with its evening post time) averaged $359,784 per day. Slots according did see a drop but not as prevalent as the horse racing. The Meadows Slots handle per day in May was $11,746,687.64 and then fell to $11,092,927.39 in June. Look for these handles to increase in July do to The Meadows promotion of giving away $10,000 or a new car each night during the month. My expectation is for the slots to handle over $425,000,000 the month of July. Do not expect the horse racing to increase at the same rate but will see a modest increase over June figures.

It does not matter that the slots are doing less with the evening racing scheme than afternoon. One thing is for certain; the Meadows slots generated more Gross Terminal Revenue than Chester Downs for the month of June. Admittedly a little less than a million but still did more than Chester (the leading harness track in the state).

June
Chester $23,843,071.11
Meadows $24,735,684.49

If the Meadows would cut back on races per day and go with a 5-day racing format with 13 races daily, you would see another increase in handle. A return to afternoon racing will also generate more income. The only drawback to this is that the owners would have a hard time coming to the track to see their horses run as most work during the day. The Meadows can also help the owners out twice a week by racing on Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate some of the owners. Again, afternoon racing would suit the slot needs as the races would be over prior to the main rush for the slot players who come in mostly later in the day.

The tools to create a profitable business for both the slots and horse racing are in the hands of MEC of PA and Cannery Casino Resorts, which own and run the slots. The two can work synergistically only if the Meadows management cares for it to work.

Union Busting (Part I and II)

2009-06-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

The following two posts are from my web site editorial page.

Editorial
December 01, 2006
Union Busting Blueprint

Although this is my theory, I am starting to see it in our life today.

First step is to buy an existing company or business and lease back part of the property and business to the previous owners whom are contractually obligated to the union workers.

Second step is to build a temporary facility (owned and operated by the acquiring company) on the newly acquired property. The new company will seek employees whom are not part of any union. Hence, the new work staff at the new temporary building will be non-union.

Third step is to tear down the existing old business building and start construction of a new facility that is promoted to the public to be “state of the art” or “customer friendly”. The down time of the previous existing business run by union workers will be put out of work while the new construction takes hold. An estimate of a year to two years is very plausible.

The total effect is a layoff of up to 2 years for unionized work force and though the contracts of said workers may of expired depending on the wording in each union contract. Bottom line, the new owners and the old owners (who now are lease the business) now are free to hire whom they care to and no longer are hindered by contractual negotiations for the work force.

I truly hope my theory will NOT be proven valid, as Oaktree-Millennium acquisition of the Meadows property and leasing of the business to MAGNA will bust the union workforce in place presently. Only time will tell. If I am correct, it is an unforeseen event in the present slot legislation that will hurt many people.

Bob Zanakis
Editor

--------------
Editorial
June 26, 2009

Union Busting (Part II)

The following was found at the USTrotting website. My comments follow:

MEC Pennsylvania Racing files for bankruptcy protection
Friday, June 26, 2009 - by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

MEC Pennsylvania Racing, which operates the racing and pari-mutuel concession at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino and at the track’s off-track betting parlors, has filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy laws.
The firm says it is losing millions of dollars, but for now will keep operating. MEC lost $2.6 million last year, according to documents filed by the firm, which said it had $4.9 million in assets and $4.7 million in liabilities on May 31 of this year.

"Right now, it's business as usual," William G. Ford, representing Magna Entertainment Corp., MEC Pennsylvania Racing’s parent company told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Magna Entertainment, which operates seven Thoroughbred racetracks in North America, has also filed for bankruptcy protection.

If MEC were to back out of its contract to manage the track’s wagering operations with Cannery Casino Resorts, which bought the Meadows from MEC in 2005, Cannery, according to a spokesman, would take over the pari-mutuel operations.

Related Articles :
There are no related articles
http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=32402&z=1

I wrote a letter to the editor and posted an editorial (see December 1, 2006 below) a few years back on the perfect way to break a union shop agreement that has been in place since 1963.
Basically it is as the Meadows did. By moving to the temporary slot building and razing the original facility, they laid off all the union employees. Those that went to the slots were hired by another company and it is non-union.
In the last two years, most of those old union people have either found new jobs or retired or passed on. Once the facility opened, the employees are non-union. The previous union shop agreement has been broken. Save the mutual tellers union. Seems they were needed and worked in the temporary simulcast trailers so when the new facility opened up, they moved right via seniority and their contract still in place.
Now we hear about MEC of PA going bankrupt. Seems they have a contract to run the gaming for horse racing and its concessions. Once the federal judge (bankruptcy) views the filing, he has the power to NEGATE that union contract. Had it been held by Cannery Resorts (Oaktree Millennium), their is no such bankruptcy. Seems to me, the MEC is doing the dirty work. Once the contract is set aside, watch Cannery Resorts assume the ownership of the horse racing mutual wagering and its concessions.

Bob Zanakis
Editor

ADIOS v. West Virginia Derby

2009-06-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

A racing fan’s dilemma.

With the recent announcement that MINE THAT BIRD, winner of the Kentucky Derby, is planning to be entered in the WVa Derby on August 1st as a prep race for the Travers Stake at Saratoga later this summer, we fans have a decision to make.

There is another local attraction for horse race fans in our area in that the 43rd Adios Pace for the Orchids is also to be held on August 1st. We live in close proximity to each track and it is possible to attend both race cards given that both tracks would be willing to talk about scheduling their races so that there is a gap between cards long enough for us to travel from the 1st to 2nd track to be in attendance.

Well that was only in theory as they are going with a Post Time of 12:15 pm for the Adios Day card at the Meadows and a 2:00 pm Post Time for Mountaineer's WVa Derby. These businesses desire our attendance but fail to work out a plan in which they both can meet the needs of their fan base.

If both racing entities wanted to serve their fans, they would of staggered their post times so that the local fans could attend both events. Many of us attend both thoroughbred and harness racing. The fans of harness and thoroughbreds are not mutually exclusive.

My suggestion is the event that they overlap their post times, we all can go to the puppies in Wheeling and bet both venues from their simulcast areas. In addition, I bet Wheeling Downs will not be over crowded or understaffed. See you at the puppies!

MANHATTAN PROJECT - Part II

2009-06-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

I received a copy of the Oak Ridge Survey 1978 from the Department of Energy. In it, is the total survey of the effected area. It is over 200 pages. For this discussion, I will only relay information on the two ball fields that were surveyed.

Tract B is the former American Legion Field. Bottom left of the outlined field would of been home plate. The darker the shading, the higher the radiation levels.

Tract C is the former Canonsburg Men's Softball League. As with Tract B, Tract C would of had the home plate in the bottom left corner of the outlined area. Again, the darker the shading, the higher the radiation levels.

If you request the government under the freedom of information act, you can get a copy of the Oakridge Radiological Survey (testing) done prior to the cleanup.
Contact:

National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
U. S. Department of Commerce
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, Virginia 22161

Printed Copy: $11.00

Microfiche: $ 3.00

In certain circumstances, the copy will be provided for free.

MANHATTAN PROJECT (a gift that keeps on giving)

2009-05-11T20:31:00.001-07:00

(This post is not about racing but another part of my life that I am concerned.)

Just wanted you all to know that the Manhattan Project (used to develop and build atomic bombs) sent all the uranium ore to the *what we know as Vitro" site in Canonsburg for years before WW II. It was processed there through the late 50's. I am particularly worried about anyone who played on the same field as I. That is where all the radioactive (uranium-235) rock that was separated from the uranium ore (using water). They just covered up that lagoon with about 4 feet of topsoil and there is about 12 feet of radioactive material beneath it.

All people studied in Japan who lived with in 1 mile of ground zero developed CML (Leukemia that I have). Attached is the satellite pic of the now nuclear dump. You can see the size of the dump plus where I tried to indicate the field and approximate the location of the plant.

I included a few links concerning the cleanup site and some medical studies. The most scary of all is a mention near the end of the first link page is a statement that all the ground water (in nearly 80 acres) near the site in Canonsburg is contaminated. That is ok because we use surface water here. My question is how many people were effected every spring when Chartiers Creek overflowed with the ground water? ...No wonder US Army Corp of Engineers rushed up here in 1968-69 to do that flood control project which near the Morganza property and went back upstream to where the creek was beside our ball field, (lagoon).

If you or anyone you know played on this field in the 70's, please see your doctor and ask to have do a test to look for the "Philadelphia Chromosome". You do not need a biopsy, as they have some tests that require only drawn blood. Now, if it is positive, seek an oncologist quickly and get the bone marrow biopsy. These things takes as little as a few years or over 3 decades to develop....low dosages over time is worse than high dosages of radiation for short durations. Pass this along to anyone you know that played on that field.

Here are the links;
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/umtra/canonsburg_title1.html

http://www.springerlink.com/content/puk4m1adma7u6nfp/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gofman

bobby z
CML Survior

Opening Day at The Meadows Racino

2009-04-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

After reading and hearing about all the horror stories about the test run on Monday that involved traffic tie ups, we decided to take the back route along Johnson Road and use the Holiday Inn parking lot driveway to gain access to the Meadows entrance on Racetrack Road. We needed not to do that as at 11:30am, the roads were at normal traffic and we drove straight to the place without delay.

We opted for the garage where we were instructed to go to the 3rd floor to park and either take the stairs or elevator to the 4th floor to gain access to the Casino. No problem there. As you leave the garage via the elevator, you must navigate a long corridor to the one of the two entrances to the place. Both are on the slot machine floor. The area for harness racing is on the bottom floor. You must make a hard right when entering the place and head to the escalators or steps to reach your destination. The main problem with this in the planning stages is that no one under 21 can enter the facility as they must negotiate going through the slot area. Horse racing does permit kids of all ages entry to the place and one needs to be 18 to wager in the state of Pennsylvania. The horseplayer’s area needs its own entrance to keep the youngsters access to the track.

I was most impressed with the simulcast area, which had 73 carousals where one has a great flat screen TV per seat and some huge plasma TV’s on the wall in front of you. Only problem was the construction in the bowling alley that is right there. You will be hearing pins falling all the day when you are there in the future.

The place was loaded with employees on opening day and crowd was not large enough to justify it so expect some cutbacks in future days. Employees are not permitted to wager anywhere in PA according to Act 71 (slot bill) so I was watching to see if the mutual tellers I have known to wager did so on this day. I could not find one teller making a wager though I did see some with pp’s opened to the current race. That used to be an infraction of the rules installed a couple years back but I guess they can now.

You all know of my complaints on the over priced food. Hot Dogs are $4.00 to $5.50 each, French Fries at $3.75 to $4.50, Pizza (personal size) $9.00, Large Pizza $17.00. The dining rooms look really nice and have a great view of the track if you are one of the lucky ones gaining access to the 1st row of tables. No so good looking view on the other tables. One also had no access to a self-betting machine for the horses up there, as they are located just off the slot floor and face the racetrack. I heard that they would be installing some in the future. I would of liked some TV’s of the races up there but found none. That too will change I hope. Currently one must leave his/her table and go downstairs to make a wager. I saw what I believe to be mobile wireless wagering done with these roving girls who seem to be mutual tellers of sorts. I then should have inquired about their services but that is what it appeared to be to me.

Mutual teller lines were very short due to the number of live tellers. They could use more self-betting machines. Am tote is still the company that handles the wagering (owned by Frank Stronach). Some of the machines could not recognize my player’s card, which is a hassle to cancel my wager and move to another teller to make my bet.

The apron outside is much larger than the previous apron and unknown to me was the lengthening of the stretch from the previous one. It seemed to us that the fractions of the races yesterday might indicate that the 3rd quarter distance might be a little short and the last quarter a little long. I know they have to survey the track periodically but that was the way the races were playing on this sloppy track.

If one would take the shuttle from his parking lot outside the facility, one could be dropped off at the top of the stretch on the apron. I would suggest that they create an entrance there so that the youngsters can enjoy this place too. Also, they need someone checking ID at the entrance places and use those hospital ID bracelets that are color coded to reflect one’s age. They should issue one color for less than 18, one for 18 to 20 and one color for 21 and over. It would be easy to bet underage based on their security and we did see a couple kids that were under 21 betting the machines in the back. It seemed that they gained entry via the middle doors on the bottom floor and just walked up the steps to the slots on the 2nd floor.

The main problem on the apron is the placement of three large transformers (active) right passed the finish line. I do not know if it were there on a temporary basis or long term. They need to place pad locks on the doors of those high voltage transformers and erect a fence around them. It is a major accident waiting to happen.

The architect that planned this place is from a warm climate. The small grandstand for the horse racing is outside and the patron will have to endure the weather. Seeing that we are open year round, those seats will not be utilized for many months of the year in our climate. In 1974, the Meadows enclosed the whole grandstand when they went to year round racing. The management then had some insight into running the place. It is not so today.

Those very seats will be hard to use if you are of average size for a man or a larger lady. Seems the seats are the narrowest seats in any entertainment venue that I have seen. I would need two sticks of butter to butter up my side to gain access to it and need a can opener and crow bar to get up from it. I would hasten to say that these were purchased from some Asian country where they would be considered for their large girth. The length of my clipboard is longer than the area between the armrests is wide.

One must be in fine shape to be a horseplayer who enjoys being on the apron. You will be walking a long way to make you wager as the betting windows are on the far end of the building near the garage right before the Adios Room turn. One needs not to go to the mall any more to get walking in, just go to the track. The place is spread out so you do need your wheels in good working order.

The average age of the public is about my age or a little older. It is in the mid to late 50’s. Many of us do have medications we have to take so while it was time for mine, I tried to locate a water fountain so I can take my pill. Not one water fountain in the whole facility. They spent $175,000,000 dollars on this building with great bathrooms but no way to get water from a fountain. Guess the design or planning of the place thinks our water sucks or they just want us to pay $2.00 for bottle water. Guess we all can go to the Delvin’s Café and request a glass of water but that is a hassle to both the employees and me.

The winner's circle is no longer a rectangle but rather a semi-circle. Also, the surface of the circle is the same as the track, limestone. There is no fence or brick wall separating the public from the horse and its connections. I also saw people outside on the apron nearby with bottles of beer in their hands. Nowhere was a security guard in sight. I would be in fear if I were a driver as there is no protection for the horsemen.

All in all, the place looks great as it is new but it is not as functional as the old enclosed grandstand. Also they have 7 restaurants but no major clubhouse or an owners club (2 Minute Room). In the old facility we booked parties here and we were able to fill both the Clubhouse and Adios Room for those parties (like AAA). That is about a 1,000 dinners. There is no way one can book a party at the Meadows that has more than 100 customers. It just cannot be done.

Somewhere in this building are two VIP Rooms (like a skybox in other sports) which sell for $300 a day during the week, $400 on weekends and $1,000 on major days like Adios, Triple Crown, etc. Rumor had it the Mark Weaver (one of Burke’s owners) already has booked one of them for Adios Day.

I know there is more but for some reason, my mind is not able to retrieve it. Will follow up if I recall more of it.

It only took me 3 races to get back into the winner circle. Dan Charlino (with whom bowls on my Wednesday night league) won the 3rd race. Randy and I went out and got our pictures taken. You got to love that this aspect of the on-track experience hasn't changed.

It's A Boy!

2009-03-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

March 1, 2009 brought forth the arrival of Doctor Jake. Doctor Jake is the youngest of three siblings by Sakrologist-Kiwi Replacement-Robust Hanover. We followed Frapper Joe’s career and he is now in another’s stable racing at Dover Downs. We will be following the 2nd in line, Cassaddies Hope starting this year for her freshman season (2 year old). If all things go right, Doctor Jake will hit the racetrack racing in 2011. All three are Maine bred.

The following are pictures of the sire, Sakrologist, newborn foal and Doctor Jake standing on his feet beside his mom, Kiwi Replacement. I wish Jake (owner) and the stable the best in the future.

Ten-Cent Superfecta

2009-03-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

With the pending opening of the new facility for casino and horse patrons at the Meadows in April, it would be nice to see the Meadows management do something positive for the horse bettors.

As I understand the arrangement with the current owners and the previous owners MEC (Magna Entertainment Company), do have a management contract to run the trackside of the business. Since the public has not been permitted trackside to watch the races, there has been little to manage. I think it is time for the Meadows to do something for its racing patrons.

In past years, The Meadows has been on the leading edge in harness racing technology. Things like off track betting parlors, phone wagering, inside passing lanes, artificial racing surface (Tartan Surface similar to Astro-Turf) etc, were tried here before most of the other tracks in the sport used them.

I believe this track is no longer on the leading edge in this sport; but rather, way behind the innovations in horse wagering. The fastest growing wager in the horse wagering business over the last couple years has been the introduction of the 10-cent superfecta wager. The bettor still has to spend a minimum of $2 to wager but can cover 20 different numerical outcomes in an attempt to pick the top four horses in their correct order of finish from 1st to 4th.

It does not matter if it is the thoroughbred horse racing (flats) or standardbred horse racing (trots); the public loves this wager. Most tracks that implemented this wager not only increased the amount of money wagered (thus increasing their profit margin) but have found it most lucrative that they have added more races where the Superfecta wager is offered.

Case in point is the premier track in harness racing, The Meadowlands (Big M) in which they added the 10-cent superfecta and doubled the number of races with this bet on each day they race. Pompano Park in Florida also went to the 10-cent Superfecta and offers that wager on nearly half their daily races. Other tracks have it offered every race.

It has apparently gone unnoticed to Meadow’s management or they may be protecting a few players who like the carryover (if the wager is not hit correctly, it will be added to the next superfecta race offered). The best way to increase the amount of money to the superfecta wagering pool is to get more people to bet into it. The current setup is mostly a joke in which a two or three race carryover might net $10,000 in winnings. The tracks that offer the dime wager currently surpass that amount on a regular basis.

It is time for The Meadows to do something for their patrons as we once start making our trips back to see live racing action. A bowling alley or a ten-cent superfecta…hummmm, you decide!

Cassaddies Hope

2009-02-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

Cassaddies Hope is the sister of Frapper Joe. We will be following her career as she heads to the track in 2009.

Cassaddies Hope is Maine bred and will be competing over Maine's tracks in stake competition.

The following pictures are from last year and this year. We look forward to bring you the progress of this filly as she follows in the footsteps of her brother, Frapper Joe.

If you enjoyed Frapper Joe in the past, you will enjoy following Cassaddies Hope in 2009 and 2010!

Necessity is the Mother of Invention

2008-12-04T10:02:00.000-08:00

With the current economic downturn comes an opportunity for those who think out of the box. Case in point is at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino. The slots have infused much needed capital into what was a dieing business. The larger purses have increased the pay scale of the trainers and drivers thus raising their standard of living.

In these cold and windy days as we approach winter and the extra money in the trainers and drivers pocket provides the idea for one smart young driver trainer. He came up with the idea of offering his services of driving horses for their warm up miles prior to their running of the day’s races at the Meadows. He feels $10.00 is a fair price for his braving the cold windy days at the Western Pennsylvania racetrack. Many trainers and drivers agree. It is worth $10.00 of his or her money to have someone else warm the horse up.

On this past Tuesday, he warmed up 13 horses of which 6 came home to win in their respective races. There must be something to this. I cannot wait until the Meadows opens their new facility in April 2009. I just hope the days will be cold and windy!

Race Analyst v. Touts

2008-08-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

I am not a big fan of governmental oversight unless it appears that the powers that be can not be trusted to run an equitable game. As you know, at Bobby Z's Picks at the Races we offer our selections for free with no vested interest in getting the viewer to gamble. It is our hobby. We thank you for your continued support.

It seems now that every track video stream and television race program (TVG and HRTV) have been offering their selections for the races of which they themselves make a profit. It benefits them that you gamble. I do not have a problem with that as I do the same for a different reasoning that is to vicariously wager on the races through my reputation online. I do this by keeping statistics on the various wagers one would of made with our selections. I also keep track of all the winning selections that require your signature to the IRS before receiving payment (signers).

It is all too common that these entities offering selections to you do not tell you of their past record of selections. I refer to the one scene in “Let it Ride” in which the lead, Trotter, is touted by the seller of the race picks who was shouting “hit the daily double”. After Trotter asked him when, the tout gave a date years in the past.

We would not expect to receive false or misleading data in our past performance lines so why should be expect less from these people giving selections without any record of past performances. It is time for some governmental intervention in protecting the public. We need something similar as “truth in advertising” for products so the consumer knows what informed decisions to make in his wagering.

Wherever there exists an unsolicited offer of race selections, there should be a notification of past performances so the consumer to be aware of the race analyst record. Anything less would be considered “touting” which is illegal in many jurisdictions.

Big Brown's demise and ABC/ESPN's negligence of reporting.

2008-06-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

I do really think ABC did the public a miss-service when broadcasting this event. The hype on ESPN and again on ABC had Big Brown as important as a coronation.

I wish ABC/ESPN had a vet or even a doctor on their staff, which would be there to explain what happens to the body once the treatment of steroids, is cut off cold turkey. Body functions tend to shut down or operate erratically.

ABC/ESPN did announce that Big Brown did not receive his steroids that should sound an alarm to look for something out of the ordinary. The outrider Ms Cadar or something like that stated that Big Brown looks not like the other horses in the paddock or on the post (being lathered up due to the heat). She felt it was a good sign. Not one of your promoters did care to think that maybe his sweat glands shut down or were erratically functioning? No, ABC/ESPN did not.

It is only conjecture on my part but the above two factors would lead me to believe that the loss of ability to ward off the heat via sweat, caused Big Brown to suffer from Heat Exhaustion. My question is where was the state vet in all this? A simple test like taking the horse's temperature would of indicated it and the horse could of been scratched and the people who wagered over 6 million on the horse and more in the exotics would be spared and protected from this neglect. Add this to Ricky D's training record and you can take some of the responsibly for not during your homework.

ABC/ESPN please stop being a promotion tool of the sport and have a journalistic approach in your sports reporting. We have enough cheerleaders rooting as it is.

Results of the Maine Final for 3 year old colt and gelding pacers.

2007-10-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Frapper Joe and Jake for a wonderful conclusion to Frapper Joe's 3 year old season. Frapper Joe caught the place in the biggest race of his career. Beating his old rival Boogeyman is an accomplishment in itself. Thank you Jake for sharing this wonderful journey with us.

I will leave you with a few pictures of Frapper Joe on his day at the MSBS 3yocg Final.

Thank you Jake for the ability to share this great adventure!

Frapper Joe

2007-10-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

Frapper Joe:

Been about a year since I last posted something on Frapper Joe. It is not too often someone has the opportunity to breed, raise and then race their own horses in stake action. It is more than a business and more than a life; as, it is rather similar to that of creating a family and having children. Then raising them as the learn their trade in life. So it is with Frapper Joe. The family's son has grown up and earned his way to the senior prom (The Stake Finals).

The goal in these stake seasons is to finish high enough in the placings to garner enough points each race in order to gain entry to the biggest purse race in the state. The Final’s purse for 3 yr old pacing males is estimated to be worth $72,000 - $74,000 this year.

We followed Frapper Joe’s career as a two year old in which it ended with the Final for Maine bred 2yr old pacers. Frapper Joe again qualified for this year’s final that will be contested on Sunday, October 14, 2007.

Below are the standings for the Maine 3 year old pacers in 2007.

We wish Frapper Joe and Jake a safe and profitable journey to the Finals.

Statistical Anomaly (Revisited)

2007-07-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

The Meadows Racetrack and Casino has earned the right to be called the Track of the Statistical Anomaly. All too often, payouts from the exotic wagers defy all laws of probability and statistics. Most recent scenario developed on Wednesday, July 25, 2007.

The race results are posted above. The three drivers in that race that made up the trifecta were all none top drivers at this track. I would add, that if one could do a search through all the results of all the races ever run at The Meadows, one would not be able to see these three same drivers combine to produce a winning trifecta ticket.

What is the problem you say? Well, statistically we would expect one or two live tickets on a race with this result which given an average of ten thousand in the trifecta pool, should of produced a trifecta worth over $5,800. What we had was a trifecta that paid a poultry $205.20. That would translate into around 40 or more live winning tickets (based on a $2 wager). Something is amiss as this result is over 2 standard deviations off of mean. In other words, someone somewhere made the world’s luckiest heavy wager or someone with inside information did not box the horses he/she/it knew would not be part of the winning wager but rather boxed multiple times the remaining horses in the race.

The result was a very competitive race in which 4 horses were at the finish line and it took a photo to decide the official order. It is not up to me to investigate and reveal the causation of this statistical anomaly; but rather, to inform those wishing to wager at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino that the possibility exists that the racing is not on the up and up. Let the buyer (or in the case, the gambler) beware!

Enter your search terms
Submit search form

JUNE 5th Slots and Metamorphosis of Racing

2007-05-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

As the slots will be opening soon at the Meadows (June 5th), there are some effects worth mentioning. The slot bill (Act 91) will soon produce Million Dollar purses that will jump-start the breeding industry. This will draw more people in the sport, bidding higher prices for the offspring that is good for the breeders and the sport but like most things in life, there are offsetting effects that are never mentioned when slots raise the purse structure. The little guy gets squeezed.

Under the radar of the slots and Pennsylvania racing, is the little known fact of the squeeze on the small stables. Case study is the Meadows. Recently, the Meadows did increase the purses around 25 percent via the advance against future slot income. The purse account currently is about $700,000.00 in the red; no big deal as once the slots start it may only take a couple weeks to pay that amount off out of the slot proceeds. NO ONE is mentioning the hike in costs to almost double for the hay, feed, vet bills, etc. Seems everyone associated with this business wants their cut (capitalism). The larger stables can purchase things they need at a discount due to the economies of scale (more you buy lower the individual item costs). The small stable has no such purchasing power.

When large stables move to the Meadows like some all ready have, the competition is a bit harder to make a profit on the racing itself but the rewards are not covering the higher costs. What we will see (and I sincerely hope I am wrong) is the small business succumbs to the larger operations. We will no longer see the guy with two or three horses on the track supported with slots. Just like the American farmer, the small business stable will be bought out and driven into near extinction. I really do not think the framers of the slot legislation had this in mind when writing the bill.

Bottom line is that as a person who wagers or is a fan, will see more races in which the trainers will have multiple entries in a race but will race with different head numbers as they are owned by different owners. We see it now on many days at the Meadows and in current stake races as well.

I hate to say it but the preverbal cat is out of the bag. Slots are here and racing, as we know it, will change through the process of metamorphosis and leave its cocoon as something it is not today. That is really something I have no desire to see. I pray that I am wrong.

Slots Revenue And Its Effects On Racing

2007-03-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

With the increase of the states that are implementing or planning on using slots to save their horse industry, they need to be aware of the effects slots have resulted in states that have used this method of revenue enhancement.

One would usually assume that with the increase of the purse structure that slots revenue provides one would see more honest racing. You may think I am alone in this assumption but I do know of others whom believe it. Let us look to Canada and their problems with racing after they combined racing with slot gaming.

EPO (Erythropoietin) seems to be the most serious problem today along with juicing the horses with speed (amphetamine). EPO is a drug that increases the production of red blood cells in the horses system. Although this increases the strength and endurance of the horse, it has a negative and serious effect on the equine’s natural functioning body (homostasis). At times it would be life-threatening. The problem with EPO is that at normal levels of dosages, the administration of this drug would have little if any effect on the equine. In order to get the red blood cell count higher, a high dosage is needed to get the desired result. This high dosage affects the body in its normal functions.

Canada recognizes this serious problem and has taken steps to catch the offending parties. The current list of offenders grows daily. Canada has even traveled to the states to get their blood work in the barns of trainers that ship their horses into Canada. A friend in Michigan had all his horses tested by the Ontario Racing Commission when his horses were stabled in the states. All were negative.

Even with a threat of a 10 year suspension, these cheating owners/trainers are willing to gamble on the use of EPO and other drugs to get an advantage in racing for the slot induced higher purses. Canada is not alone in this problem as tracks in Pennsylvania are now testing for the presence of antibodies formed when horses are administered EPO. New York’s Monticello Racetrack has admitted publicly about having a serious problem with EPO usage.

The reward offered by the enhanced purses apparently outweighs the risk to the cheaters as they are trying to gain an edge in racing. In common terms, it now does pay to cheat.

The racing commissions seem to be on the back end of the drug-testing curve while the owners/trainers who cheat are on the front end. More money from slot revenue is needed for the regulatory agencies to create updated testing programs. If the racing commissions can gain equal footing with the cheaters, we may see a level playing field in racing.

I will leave you with a partial post from the Toronto Sun that motivated me to write this piece.

One owner, who shared his story with Sun Media, tells of a horse he claimed recently from a trainer currently under scrutiny by Woodbine officials.

On the night of the claim, the pacer started from an outside post, made multiple moves during the race then drew off to win in one minute and 51 seconds.

Once he changed barns, the horse has been five seconds slower and unable to compete.

"We do a tremendous amount of vet work with all our horses and he is the only one that generally needs nothing," the owner said in an e-mail. "So here we have a perfectly sound horse with perfect blood work and he can't beat 1:57. Yet, he went in 1:51 (with another trainer.)"

Slot revenue may be the savior of racing with the huge cash stream it provides but at what cost? On the other hand, maybe with smaller purses, these same offending parties would be willing to cheat by losing and betting on the other guy’s entrant who has a higher price in odds. Seems we are at risk with slots or without them.

Open Letter to the PA GAMING BOARD

2006-12-21T09:40:00.000-08:00

To all board members:

I realize the title of your organization uses the term "gaming", it should not entitle the board to play their own little games. Apparently you all feel it does. Never before have the people see corruption in the light as this Pittsburgh slot license. We are used to seeing it indirectly, under the cover of darkness.

To say the "Fix" was in is an understatement. You can not get 5 people together to agree upon which beer to drink but this board can agree "UNANIMOUSLY" on anything proves that it is a rubber-stamped board. The decision on the Pittsburgh Sot Parlor was a NO-BRAINER....but apparently there are NO BRAINS on the board.

This board seeing that there was only ONE minority group that offered a application for a slot license, saw fit to reward that entity with a license without regard to the taxpayers of Western Pa nor the city of Pittsburgh. This board is supposed to do the people's work. You have failed miserably to those in the western part of the state.

Let us face it, when the Pens leave town (and whom can blame them), you are the ones that will have to live with knowledge of your decision. At least you were in sync with the public's wishes on the Crossroads proposal. To have a slot parlor in that close proximity of the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg battlefield would of been morally reprehensible. At least you got that No-Brainer correct.

As for the rest of the state, time will tell.. But this board will always be remembered as hammering the last nail in the Pittsburgh Penguins coffin.

LETS GO PENS
(out of PA!)

NJSEA-TVG Exclusive Agreement (my letter to the NJSEA)

2006-12-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

Mr. Bernard Spigner
New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority
Director of Communications & External Affairs
Public Affairs Office
50 State Route 120

East Rutherford, NJ 07073

December 09, 2006

Dear Mr. Spigner:

I realize that the handle is way down at the Big M this year (estimated at 22 percent at last count), but do you think you will increase revenue by your exclusive agreement with TVG?

I and others like myself rely on our online service for our wagering and at times do make it to the track in person. I for one will no longer be able to bet via Winticket (AmericaTab) account on the Big M races due to the fact that I do not desire to have another wagering service like TVG. I will remove the Big M from my list of tracks offered after the 1st of the year and replace your track with the New King of harness tracks, Yonkers.

Your limiting the exposure to your track will surely erode your business to the point of which there will be no return. If you think you have problems now, wait till next year.

It is now apparent why all the men/women are abandoning the Big M ship in recent months. Your ship is going down, back into the swamp from which it arose. Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust and now via the NJSEA-TVG agreement, Swamp to Swamp. I just hope you guys cash your kick-back checks before the IRS Audit!

Union Busting Blueprint

2006-12-02T21:25:00.000-08:00

Although this is my theory, I am starting to see it in life today.

First step is to buy an existing company or business and lease back part of the property and business to the previous owners whom are contractually obligated to the union workers.

Second step is to build a temporary facility (owned and operated by the acquiring company) on the newly acquired property. The new company will seek employees whom are not part of any union. Hence, the new work staff at the new temporary building will be non-union.

Third step is to tear down the existing old business building and start construction of a new facility that is promoted to the public to be “state of the art” or “customer friendly”. The down time of the previous existing business run by union workers will be put out of work while the new construction takes hold. An estimate of a year to two years is very plausible.

The total effect is a layoff of up to 2 years for unionized work force and though the contracts of said workers may of expired depending on the wording in each union contract. Bottom line, the new owners and the old owners (who now are lease the business) now are free to hire whom they care to and no longer are hindered by contractual negotiations for the work force.

I truly hope my theory will NOT be proven valid, as Oaktree-Millennium acquisition of the Meadows property and leasing of the business to MAGNA will bust the union workforce in place presently. Only time will tell. If I am correct, it is an unforeseen event in the present slot legislation that will hurt many people.

Are Slots the cure-all for a bad business?

2006-11-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

When Oaktree Millennium purchased the Meadows and its Off Track Betting Parlors, they decided to retain the previous owners (MAGNA) to manage their horse racing business.Giving the Oaktree Millennium the benefit of the doubt, I still must question their decision to keep a company whom failed miserably in handling the racing product of the Meadows.

Using the handle (total monies wagered) as a key for the years 2001 to 2005, one can clearly see that the MAGNA management experienced a drastic reduction during those 5 years. In 2001, The Meadows itself and its phone wagering handled $164 million. It has since been falling to the 2005 level of $48 million. That is over 70 percent decrease in its business. Any economist or business would not keep a management in place that oversaw a decline of 70 percent in 5 years.

The total Meadows operation (including the Off Track Betting Parlors) does present a better “worse case scenario” as they had a handle of $128 million in 2001 and recorded a $113 million handle in 2005 for a decrease of 12.2%. Overall, the total Meadows business had a $293 million handle in 2001 and 2005 saw $161 million handle, a 44.9 percent decline overall.

My question is why would a business pay over $50 million for a slot license, $220 million for a business (minus its Call-A-Bet phone wagering) that was purchased for $50 million a short time ago and spend $450 million on new buildings when the previous business declined over 40 percent in 5 years? Seems there is gold in those slot machines.

To even think Oaktree Millennium will make a profit is mind blowing. I really think the Slots are not an answer to the horse industry business model. It will only prolong the inevitable. New management techniques and promotions may serve the business more than expending nearly a billion dollars to create a slot environment.

All the above handle totals were from the Pa Dept of Agriculture site via their annual reports from the years 2001 to 2005.

Indoctrination and Motivation

2006-10-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

I have been asked on many occasions on the causation of my hobby, harness racing. After some thought I came to the conclusion that it is just a matter of circumstances.

Look around you the next time you attend your track or off track betting parlor. Everyone there has been a first timer (newbie, rookie or new guy on the block). What keeps them interested and returning? There had to be a positive experience that brings them back. If not, they would not return.

Everyone’s story is different. I can only relay my experience in a style of self-reflection.
When I was a teenager, I had my very first work experience as a busboy for the Harry M Stevens outfit at the Meadows. My cousin Eddie and I worked in two different rooms. Eddie worked in the Clubhouse while I worked in the Adios Room.

Back then, the busboys would pull their money and play the Daily Double. I never made a wager until one day when my cousin Eddie came down to me and asked if I wanted to play our grandmother’s house number in the Daily Double. The other busboys did not like the numbers due to their handicapping and left Eddie’s numbers out of their pool. I agreed to contribute $2.00 and we played the numbers 1-5 and 5-1 due to the house-number being 501.

Back then, the busboys made $11.85 a day in wages and somewhere near $9 a day in tips. So on average we made about $20 a day. I did not even watch the races that night. On the way home my cousin Eddie was ecstatic as he told me we hit the Double. We split over $180 that night. The realization that we can make money hit me like a ton of bricks that night. For a simple 1/10 of a day’s pay, I was able to get the return of nearly a week’s pay.

After returning to work the next day, I decided to take home one of the discarded programs and see what this was all about. I looked in the newspaper to get the results and try to see what on that page would indicate to me the causation of that horse winning. After some trial and error I came across what I thought was the reasons. I won some, lost some.

My interest in this sport was at a high level. I started reading books and when I was free, tried to talk to the heavy bettors that were my customers. No one has the definitive system but they all have one thing in common. It was that their winning in their early days of the track that created a euphoric feeling within them. That remains in their psyche and drives them to return to try and get that feeling back. I can relate as it is the motivation that keeps me coming back.

We all realize that horse racing is a zero-sum game, in that, if I win others has to lose. We all know that we lose our money more often than not but it is that fond memory within that drives us to try once more to recapture something we lost. I cannot wait until my next trip to the track.

Seasons End

2006-09-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

Frapper Joe ended his 2-year-old stake campaign in Maine by finishing 4th in the Final this past Sunday. Frapper Joe was able to start every stake race and return Jake some money but he gave Jake and us a lot more.

No one can estimate or equate a numerical number to the anticipation leading up to neither the season nor the ups and downs of Frapper Joe’s freshman year in racing.

This event is not over but rather Chapter 1 has been completed in the story of Frapper Joe. He now has some time off to grow and to learn more about his trade. The three-year-old stake season is around the corner. We all are looking forward to Frapper Joe’s adventure in 2007.

Thank you Jake and Frapper Joe for providing us with the storyline.

The Final

2006-09-08T19:56:00.000-07:00

Frapper Joe will start Sunday in the Maine Breeders Stake for 2yr old c&g pacers. They used his picture (top left) in the advertisement in the local newspaper.

GO GET 'EM FRAPPER JOE!!

Week 7

2006-08-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Frapper Joe heads into the 7th week of stake action at the Union Fair in Maine today. Check the attachment for his past performance sheet. This is the third to last stake race offered but the next to last race where a horse can earn points to get into the final. He should be going to post at the time of this writing. Frapper Joe has enough points to make the final. These races provide an opportunity for the connections to make some money via the purses offered and to give the horses a chance to learn their trade. These horses will return in 2007 for their 3 year old campaign.

ps Frapper Joe caught third in the August 22nd race.

ADIOS DAY 2006

2006-08-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

What might have been the best day at the track in a long time turned out to be a display of decadence. The Meadows by way of its MEC Management (oxymoron), gave us a glimpse on the future of gambling for Western Pennsylvania.

A man can not serve two masters is an age-old lesson not recalled by the so MEC Management. Their attempt to cater to the family aspect of attending a sport with their clowns and balloons and other children entertainment was offset by having a cornucopia of watering holes offering alcohol and tobacco products by scantily clothed young women for the drunken masses.

If I had any children, I would have been ashamed to have them exposed to both the alcohol and smoking. There should have been an area where one of legal age to abide the liquor was beyond the reach or sight of the youngsters. I just wish the Liquor Control Board had undercover people in attendance and offer some protection to our youth.

The playing of music in between races added to the fanfare but made it hard for people to concentrate. The level of the noise generated by their loudspeakers was approaching intolerable limits.

If Meadows founder Delvin Miller were alive today, he surely would have been dismayed. What was intended, as a celebration for the life of Adios, has turned into Sodom and Gomorra.

The Adios Day giveaway contest was a trip to Las Vegas. I guess having been purchased by a Vegas gambling entity, we can expect our morals and those of the future of our children to decay in the same manner as Las Vegas.

The future Grandstand will hold 1,250 and the same for the apron. The attendance yesterday, if repeated, would fill the plant to the gills and beyond. Attending future Adios Day events with this MEC Management Team (oxymoron) is doubtful for this author. I am also second-guessing my thoughts on the slot legislation passed. I feel now that I have supported the wrong side of this issue. I fear it is too late to save our children’s future if we decide to remain in Pennsylvania.

Following is but one of the waterholes in plain sight of the children.

Frapper Joe Update

2006-07-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

After three contests for the Maine 2 yr c&g pace, Frapper Joe is tied for the lead. There will be a total of 8 races with the top 8 being selected to compete for the final in September. He will next race on the 30th at Presque Isle and has drawn the rail. Things currently are going great for Frapper Joe and his connections.

Déjà vu’

2006-07-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

The Meadows, home of the statistical anomaly, once again had a superior effort from a low classification horse that equaled the Preferred Handicap. Compare the past performances of the Cross The Line (# 2) in the 7th race with Andreoli Hanover (# 1A) in the 8th.

After viewing the past performance lines, look at the results charts. You now can add Cross The Line to previous statistical anomalies this season. King Pin, Sleep Walker and Southwind Jason all performed beyond anyone’s expectation in those races and have since have not been able to repeat those performances. Was there performance-enhancing drugs used? Were there substituted horses that ran those races as someone in the paddock failed to check the horse’s identity? Why did these horses all go off at odds way below the morning line odds supplied by the track handicapper? These are questions that come to my mind and should to any able track management. The Meadows is in dire need of someone who cares about integrity in their racing product. Until such time that a person arises and protects the public, I cannot have any faith in the past performance lines as they are useless in handicapping a future outcome.

Bottom line, the public is not protected from statistical anomalies from occurring. Track management apparently cares not for integrity of the sport. Anything mentioned to the contrary has not proven by their actions; especially this season where we have had 4 horses attain peak performances, which could not be explained by rational naturally occurring events (when statistics dictate that they would of ever occurred at all).

Frapper Joe’s 1st

2006-07-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

In only his second start, Frapper Joe won his initial race. The pic displays his pulling away in the stretch at Bangor Raceway in Maine. So far, he has a win and a place in two starts and has gained 50 more points in the standings to gain entry into the final in September. It is going to be fun watching his progress.

The Meadows – Home of the Statistical Anomaly

2006-07-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

To follow up on earlier post of the statistical anomaly occurrences at The Meadows, we can now add another horse that performed beyond any reasonable expectation of the law of statistics. First we had King Pin in April and Sleep Walker in late May. We now can add Southwind Jason to the list.

Southwind Jason went in 1:52 on the engine on July 3rd, 2006. I have posted his lines and the official charts from the USTA. I cannot find any legal reason for the drastic improvement in this horse. It is just another indication that at The Meadows, one is at risk when placing a bet. All I can do is point out the problems with this track; it is up to the track management to correct the situation. It is apparent that current management desires not to have a consistent and fair racing environment. Horses are expected to increase speed but not at the rate at which horses that ship into the Meadows increase in both speed and endurance. It is as if the track is a shooting gallery of sorts for the equine breed. Maybe a change at the top of the company is in order or maybe we should just avoid betting at a track that has no desire to protect the public.

Maine 2 yr c&g Standings

2006-07-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

After week one of the Dash For The Maine Cash for 2 year old colts and geldings, Frapper Joe is doing well. The chart lists the point lead which determines which horses get to race in the Final in September.

Frapper Joe's Initial Start

2006-07-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

Frapper Joe caught the place today in his stake race at Bangor Raceway in Maine. Just click on the chart to view the full size. Congratulations Jake!

Patron Caused Race Delay

2006-06-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

For the first time in the history of The Meadows, the patrons caused a race delay today. Look over the two attachments and pay particular attention to the past performance lines on (# 3) IMAWHINER in the 7th race Friday, June 30, 2006. The two programs are showing different past performance lines. The program supplied by the Meadows displays that Imawhiner last raced on February 17th.

If the judges were doing their job, they should notice that this horse (according to the on-track program) did not race in 30 days, which is a violation of the 30-day rule. I was in attendance and was informing Kerry Charlino (Customer Service) and showed her that the past performance lines in my trackmaster program did not correspond with their on-track program. She hurried and called the judges who told the starting judge to turn the horses thus creating a race delay. Track announcer, Jeff Zidek, then explained the four (4) missing lines on the program to those at the track and at those who were viewing their video feed. As soon as Mr. Zidek was finished, they immediately ran the race.

Here the Judges were negligent twice. Once for their failure to notice the entry of the (# 3) without a qualifying race thus enforcing the 30-day rule. Second mistake was their permitting Imawhiner (# 3) to compete as programmed. The correct action would have been to permit the horse to race but as a non-wagering contestant. The connections of the horse would be racing for purse money but the wagering-public would have been protected from the misleading information in the ontrack racing program. Imawhiner (# 3) did compete and was in a photo for third but finished 4th, which is part of the Superfecta ticket.

How many people whom handicapped this race realize that this horse did indeed race 4 times in Ohio at Scioto Downs and was not the entrant whom has not raced in four months as the Meadows On Track Program indicated? This is just another example of the ineffective management that are all too common at the Meadows. In attendance this day was the PA Racing Commissioner. I wonder if he noticed that mistake or didn't even realize it existed?

Dash For Cash

2006-06-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

The dash for the cash now begins in earnest. The very first start for Frapper Joe will be on July 2nd at Bangor Maine. The draw was kind as Frapper Joe drew the two-hole.

These are times in which one is anxious, nervous and cannot wait for that starting gate to open. There is no substitute for the rush one gets when his horse makes its first lifetime start. It is compounded, as this first start is also a stake race. We wish Jake and Frapper Joe a safe and successful trip around the Bangor oval. Go get ‘em Frapper Joe!

The Journey Begins

2006-06-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

Rarely do we have the opportunity to follow a horse’s career from the beginning. My friend Jake has opened up this opportunity for us as Frapper Joe hits the track today in the third qualifying race at Plainridge. Jake has emailed me pictures of his Frapper Joe of which I have created a page on the site.

http://mysite.verizon.net/r.zanakis/pictures/frapper_joe.htm

I will be updating that page as his season progresses. Jake; and all those who know of Frapper Joe, are filled with enthusiasm as his racing career commences. You too can experience the journey of this colt.

Handicapping 101

2006-06-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to predict the outcome of a race (handicapping). I like to use three so-called types of handicapping. The main characteristic in all of the three ways is that they all use the PP’s (Past Performances) or commonly referred to as the program or the form. In order to predict future outcomes one must rely on past history. The three types I personally use are Classification Handicapping, Trip Handicapping and Speed Handicapping.

In Classification Handicapping, one needs to look at the purse (amount of money the track is placing up for grabs to the top 5 finishers in the race). The higher the purse is generally related to a higher level of classification. Horses move up and down in class so it is a very important angle to see if the level of today’s race and its competition is stronger than weeks previously. Not always but generally speaking a higher classification of race should have stronger or better horses entered. There are different tracks with different classifications that do not translate to an equivalent level of competition. For this reason, Class handicapping should be left to those whom are experience in this game and have a good knowledge of all the tracks in their part of the country. It is not for the novice.

Trip Handicapping is basically seeing how a horse raced in the past performance lines. Whether the horse liked to race on top (on the lead) or from behind (typically called a closer). The other type of running is that of a stalker (a horse that likes to be near the lead but not on it). What I try to do is to see which horses like the front end (to be on the lead). Generally speaking, if there are many entrants whom like the front end, I tend to go with a closing type horse that should benefit with many horses trying to gain the lead. These front-end types will wear each other down thus leaving the closer with the most horse left and this one should be able to pass up the tiring rivals. The opposite is true; many horses whom like to come from behind, and only one or two front end types, I will be backing the lone speed entry. In this case, the horse will gain the lead without expending much energy to gain the position. Thus when he is confronted by those wishing to pass, he will have enough stamina and energy to hold off the challenge.

Speed Handicapping is probably the easiest to learn. One looks at the final times to see who is the fastest. You also can view the last half or last quarter times to get an indication of the fastest horses. Again one must remember that all tracks are not alike so you have to be knowledgeable concerning horses shipping in from other tracks. A horse’s speed attained is directly related to the fractions set up in the race. Fractions are the time attained in the earlier portions of the race and generally speaking, faster the earlier fractions; the slower those horses will finish the race. The reverse is also true; in that, the slower the fractions on the front end, the faster the 2nd half of the race will be run.

I would like to think that like myself, others do not use one type of handicapping exclusively. I guess that we as handicappers do use a little of each in arriving at our horses to wager. There is no right or wrong way to predict the outcome of a race. People have hit larger sums of winnings just by betting their house address numbers, children’s ages, names or even just the color of the silks worn by the drivers. Whatever we use to make a buck is good handicapping.

Strange Days are common @ The Meadows

2006-06-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

I really cannot explain the causation but can relay only the events that happen all too often at The Meadows. Case in point in last night card (June 01, 2006) is that we had two strange occurrences. The fourth race was declared a non-wagering race after the mutual department could not close the wagering. Apparently they had to reboot the system and therefore could not post the results. So, purchasing a winning ticket at The Meadows is no guarantee of receiving you winnings.

The strange part of last night is that after the running of the race starts, the final pools displayed late money that happened to be 100% on the money. Most notable was the final race. MACKENZIE HERSHEY raced on or near the lead for most of the mile so his odds were posted on the video. He was a constant 7/2 as he headed for home. After a lengthy delay, he posted the official winner at 3/2. Instead of the $9.00 payout, you would receive the $5.00. Why in this age of computers can we not get the odds correct?

This just goes to show you that your money is never safe when wagering at the Meadows. Let us look to the past. Back in the early 80’s, a horse named Nero’s Valentine crossed the finish line at 9/1. The tellers on the ground floor (save one who was taking a nature break) noticed the windows never closed wagering on the race. Those tellers (17 in all) were punching out their own ticket that lowered the win price in half. Instead of paying $20 for the win ticket, it paid $9.00. Those tellers were fired for betting after the race went off and betting on a completed race. In the late 90’s or early 2000’s it happened again with the final race at Hollywood Park. The wagering windows remained open during the race at the Meadows and at New Castle.

The judges are not without blame. Back in 1981, they posted the incorrect order when Southampton Henry was placed the winner over Youngwood Flash. The Meadows paid some people on that night but soon closed the payout on the race and corrected the mistake the next day.

The Meadows is also the only track in the country to scratch a horse out of a race only to have him start AND win the race. Keystone Quasar was that horse. It happened again last year but do not recall the name of the horse.

Be very careful of wagering on Meadows racing as what you see is not always what you get!

Statistical Anomaly

2006-05-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

Two emails directed to me is the causation of today’s contribution to this page. Steve wrote:
“ok give me an explanation on sidewalk sleeper going 1:54. if they don't do a special on this horse and really dig deep for drugs then there is no justice. no faster than 2:00 at freehold does not translate into 1:54…..”

Basically this is the same as King Pin a few months ago. A horse that had little success at the Big M and Freehold was purchased at the Meadowlands sale for $3,500.00 and in his first start won as he pleased in 1:54. He too had no indication of that kind of speed on his card. It is apparent that we, the public are not being protected as this kind of event has a probability of around two standard deviations of the mean (in other words, it would be highly unlikely for those horses to race that fast on their own). This type of occurrence happens all too often at the Meadows.

Let us add to this discussion the fact that a horse at The Meadows can come back testing positive on three different races. The purses to the horseman and owners can be adjusted but the monies wagered upon are ill gotten gains and The Meadows has not to make the public whole.
In example, let us examine:

TERRI L. RICHTER - $1,000.00 fine and a ninety day full suspension (May 11, 2006 through and including August 8, 2006). As the programmed trainer of #1 WILLIE B GAME, you are responsible for a post-race positive test (AMINOREX). Split sample #160351 was confirmed for AMINOREX by the Univeristy of Louisiana Analytical Lab. #1 WILLIE B GAME is hereby disqualified and all purse money is forfeited. 5/1/06

TERRI L. RICHTER - $1,200.00 fine and a 120 day full suspension (August 9, 2006 through December 6, 2006). As the programmed trainer of #6 WILLIE B GAME, you are responsible for a post-race positive test for the drug, "AMINOREX". #6 WILLIE B GAME is hereby disqualified and all money earned is forfeited. 5/8/06

TERRI L. RICHTER - $1,500.00 fine and a 150 day full suspension (December 7, 2006 through May 5, 2007). As the programmed trainer of #3 WILLIE B GAME, you are responsible for a post-race positive test for the drug, "AMINOREX". #3 WILLIE B GAME is hereby disqualified and all earned money is forfeited. 5/8/06

This is another strange occurrence that should not happen statistically. Why could a track permit a trainer to race their horse after testing positive without precaution to prevent that occurrence from happening again? In example, having the offending party race from retention barn, which would have the horse under surveillance for 24-hour period prior to racing said horse. Clearly the public’s concern of an honest race is being neglected. The Meadows and the Pennsylvania Racing Commission cannot provide the public with honest racing.

A similar situation with trainer Jenny Belcher:

JENNY L. BELCHER - $1,000.00 fine and a fifteen day full suspension (May 11, 2006 through and including May 25, 2006). As the programmed trainer of #1 OUR ROTTEN RUBY, you are responsible for a post-race positive test (AMBROXOL). Split sample #159677 was confirmed by the Louisiana State University Analyical Lab for the drug, "AMBROXOL". #1 OUR ROTTEN RUBY is hereby disqualified and all purse money is forfeited. 5/1/06

JENNY L. BELCHER - $1,500.00 fine and a twenty day full suspension (May 26, 2006 through and including June 14, 2006). As the programmed trainer of #1 MISS BETTY J, you are responsible for a post race positive test (AMBROXOL). Split sample #159773, was confirmed positive for the drug, "AMBROXOL", by the Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. #1 MISS BETTY J is hereby disqualified and all purse money is forfeited. 5/1/06

The 2nd letter from Randy concerns the Meadows' payouts:
“Did you notice the strange pick 3 payoff last night?

Race 3 - Winner 3.60
Race 4 - Winner 3.20
Race 5 - Winner 45.00

Pic 3 - 271.00
Parley - 112.90

Race 6 - Winner 23.80
Race 7 - Winner 8.60
Race 8 - Winner 10.20

Pic 3 - 84.20
Parley - 505.60

Race 9 - Winner 11.60
Race 10 - Winner 3.20
Race 11 - Winner 10.40

Pic 3 - 165.20
Parley - 93.80

How in the heck did the pick 3 in races 6-7-8 only pay 84.20?

In the other 2 pick 3's the parley paid much less (as it should) then the pick 3. But in the middle pick 3, the parley paid over 5 times the pick 3.....What's up with that, or shouldn't I ask?”

Here the payouts for the pick-three wager are not in line with the expected statistical outcomes (parlay prices) given the individual prices of each of the winners in the three races, in other words a statistical event that has a very low probability of occurring (statistical anomaly). Again, this is common for the Meadows. Could it be the lack of adequate protection from doping horses and inside connections betting on this inside information? We do not know the causations for these events but we do know they are occurring and the parties entrusted in providing a honest racing environment are failing.

Could it be time to create our own statistically anomaly? Let us see the handle fall to some ridiculous low amount on one of their Saturday nights. Maybe a boycott of this track may generate some interest by the track and the state to offer the public races that are free of doping horses.

Stars Of Tomorrow!

2006-05-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

As this month of May winds down, things start to heat up at all tracks in this sport. This time of year we have the opportunity to see for the first time, the up and coming stars of harness racing. We will see across this country the two year olds making their way to the various racetracks.

I know for me, this is the most exciting part of the year in racing. All things start new with the new crop of racehorses. They first start in either qualifying or baby races (small purse of a hundred of so dollars). The champions of tomorrow are making their first step on their journey into their racing careers. We have the opportunity to follow that magical right of passage of the freshmen class into what we all hope to be quality racehorses.

I had the pleasure of seeing one monster of a horse in 1970 win his baby race (or was it a qualifier) in 2:07. His last half was in 1:00 flat. That was the first race of the World Champion Albatross. Twenty years later, in 1990, I witnessed the baby race of one of the locals who went in 1:58:0 with his last half in: 58:0 flat. That very first race by Cambest was an indication of goods things to come. By the way, Cambest still holds the fastest mile ever run with his 1:46:1 Time Trial back in 1993.

If any of you have the chance to make it to the track on these days, when they offer the baby races, please do attend. You may be viewing with your own eyes at one of the sport’s great stars of the future!. It is this aspect of the harness racing game that never gets old. I think we all started into this game as a fan first and foremost; and, we can relive that aspect each year with the new crop of two year olds. I really love this game and all the above are the reasons why. Get out to the track and view the stars of tomorrow!!