Dean Towers, writing for the Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA), discusses a recent article regarding unclaimed tickets and how the horseplayer's money is going to everyone but the gambler. The argument made is no matter how well-intentioned the distribution of unclaimed money is, it is not the racing industry's money to distribute; it belongs to the bettors and should be used for the bettors' benefit.
Dean goes on to report how in 2007 there was an wagering conference in Canada where the issue of unclaimed tickets was discussed and a proposal was approved in near unanimity (out of the three hundered people there, one person (a horseman) opposed an idea to use uncashed winning tickets to lower takeout, fund jackpot wagers, and giveaways to bettors. Done in public it seemed like a no-brainer it would happen, right?
In a subsequent meeting out of the public eye, the horsemen and track operators who got a share of the uncashed tickets vetoed the idea and the government agency killed the proposal. Once again, something which could be done to benefit the public was killed off.
This issue goes beyond the uncashed tickets. The question which begs to be asked is who is watching out for the public's interest when it comes to racing? Certainly not the tracks and the horsemen; it must be the racing commission? Do you really think so? Not in the United States.
A prime example of this is the lack of a fair start rule. Not to rehash this subject (you can refer to a prior blog entry), when the recall rules were changed in North America, the Canadian racing commissions protected the customer by instituting a fair start rule. In the United States, with the exception of North Dakota (which took their cue from their Canadian counterparts north of their border), there was no fair start rule implemented at the behest of the horsemen and track operators who did not want to refund wagers to horseplayers as it would reduce what they earned for their purse accounts/racing expenses. Whereas, the racing commissions had the ability to stand up for the public and institute a fair start rule to protect the public, the decision was made in a "the public be damned" arrogance and a protection the horseplayer had was eliminated just like that.
Well, in New Jersey, the racing commission may be changing their tune. A proposal to implement a fair start rule is on the table and is the period of public comment. Once the public comment period is over, the racing commission will consider giving final approval to this rule change which will protect the wagering public. Make not mistake, the horsemen and track operators will likely be opposed to this rule proposal. It is important that the horseplaying public make their support for this proposal known. We will then see if the NJRC will stand up and protect the public or once again side with the industry.
The Red Mile Grand Circuit meet is underway with the Kentucky Futurity scheduled for this Saturday, instead of their normal second Saturday slot, as a result of the delay in their meet due to the World Equestrian Games being conducted in Lexington. The first week of the Red Mile meet is always challenging as horses are shipping in from everywhere in an effort to get a fast mark on them before the racing season shifts into winter mode. A lot of favorites will be leading at the wire, but every once in a while, you will see a horse come off the beaten path and upend the favorites; especially in some of the late closing series which are contested.
For those looking to play The Red Mile, here are my selections for Thursday's and Friday's card.
Thursday, October 14
1st Trot - $87,500; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Fillies
6 - Cedar Dove (Pierce, 5-2)
1 - Celebrity Katie (Sears, 3-1)
4 - Pacific Splash (Norris, 9-2)
2nd Trot - $10,000; 2yo Colts and Geldings Late Closer - NW 2 PM or $15,000 LT
1 - Soulful Delight (Pierce, 5-2)
7 - For You Almostfree (Campbell, 3-1)
6 - Big Tuna (Tetrick, 7-2)
3rd Trot - $10,000; 3-5yo Colts and Geldings Late Closer - NW 3 PM or $40,000 LT
2 - Classic Sone (A Miller, 1-1)
4 - Super Sonic Flash (Magee, 3-1)
6 - Martoddi (Hochstetler, 8-1)
4th Trot - $88,500; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Fillies
2 - Andover The Top (Palone, 8-5)
4 - Epona Blue Chip (Schnittker, 6-1)
5 - Celebrity Obsesion (Sears, 5-1)
8 - Sashay (Pierce, 12-1)
5th Trot - $10,000; 3-5yo Colts and Geldings Late Closer - NW 3 PM or $40,000 LT
6 - Fool's Revenue (Campbell, 2-1)
7 - Under The Stars (Hochstetler, 8-1)
3 - Madoffwiththemoni (Tetrick, 8-1)
5 - Bullet (D Miller, 5-2)
6th Pace - $10,000; 3-5yo Colts and Geldings Late Closer - NW 3 PM or $40,000 LT
6 - Private Interview (Sears, 5-2)
1 - Rojette's Best (Noble, 3-1)
5 - Show Me Glory (Pierce, 7-2)
7th Trot - $88,500; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Fillies
8 - Sweet Love (D Miller, 7-2)
3 - Sacred Saint (Tetrick, 8-1)
5 - Creme De Cocoa (DR Ackerman, 5-2)
4 - Lady Rainbow (Zeron, 3-1)
8th Trot - $10,000; 2yo Colts and Geldings Late Closer - NW 2 PM or $15,000 Lifetime
4 - Cash On Delivery (Campbell, 7-2)
6 - Permanent Joy (Tr Tetrick, 7-5)
1 - Northern Photo (Sears, 9-2)
8 - Cantabourway (Loney, 15-1)
9th Trot - $88,500; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Fillies
1 - Tango Dancer (Palone, 7-2)
5 - Caitrin Hall (Tetrick, 6-1)
8 - Tight Pants (D Miller, 5-2)
3 - After Dark (Lachance, 15-1)
10th Pace - $12,000; 2yo Colts and Geldings Late Closer - NW 2 PM or $15,000 Lifetime
5 - Real Or Magic (Tetrick, 6-1)
12 - Cam's Tux (Palone, 8-1)
9 - Eat Your Art Out (Campbell, 4-1)
6 - We The People (Sears, 7-2)
11th Trot - $3,000; 5yo and Under - NW 2 Races (NW 1 draws inside)
2 - Mucho Cerveza (Campbell, 7-2)
1 - Sunny Victory (Steck, 5-2)
9 - Massasauga (D Miller, 4-1)
8 - The Queen (Wrenn, 8-1)
Friday, October 15
1st Pace - $2,800; NW 1 PM (Mares 2) or $12,000 Life
2 - Jade Mountain (Loney, 5-2)
5 - Fortune Road (A Miller, 7-2)
3 - Cascata (D Miller, 2-1)
2nd Trot - $88,500; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Colts and Geldings
2 - Evil Urgfes (Hochstetler, 4-1)
4 - Big Rigs (Tetrick, 2-1)
5 - Live Jazz (Campbell, 5-2)
1 - JR Alber (Pierce, 6-1)
3rd Trot - $10,000; 3-5yo Colts and Geldings Late Closer - NW 3 PM or $40,000 Lifetime
6 - Strong Hope (Pierce, 2-1)
7 - Sharp Edge (A Miller, 5-2)
3 - Mr Caviar (Loney, 9-2)
2 - Stretch Limo (Lighthill, 15-1)
4th Pace - $105,000; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Fillies
2 - Honky Tonk Woman (D Miller, 9-5)
3 - Say Anything (Lachance, 8-1)
4 - Cold Mist (Tetrick, 2-1)
5th Trot - $88,500; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Colts and Geldings
2 - Whit (A Miller, 8-1)
4 - Opening Night (Sears, 8-1)
1 - Johnny B Kemp (Takter, 5-2)
5 - Blue Porsche (Ritchie, 3-1)
6th Pace - $105,000; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Fillies
2 - Music Row (Tetrick, 8-1)
4 - Shyaway (Sears, 2-1)
5 - Fashion Mystery (Pierce, 9-2)
7th Trot - $88,500; Bluegrass Serires - 2yo Colts and Geldings
5 - Pegasus Blue Chip (Ritchie, 3-1)
2 - Spring Goal (Tetrick, 12-1)
1 - Fawkes (D Miller, 12-1)
6 - High Pan Tolerance (Pierce, 8-1)
8th Pace - $185,000; Bluegrass Series - 3yo Fillies
8 - Full Picture (Pierce, 6-1)
11 - Ticket To Rock (D Miller, 7-2)
7 - Best Boss (Lachance, 9-2)
4 - Western Royaly (Wrenn, 10-1)
9th Trot - $88,500; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Colts and Geldings
5 - Neal (Sears, 5-2)
7 - Kash's Cantab (Paver, 9-2)
4 - Mythical Hall (Pierce, 7-2)
1 - Not Nice (Gingras, 3-1)
10th Pace - $105,000; Bluegrass Series - 2yo Fillies
3 - Strike An Attitude (Campbell, 1-1)
5 - All Tucked Up (Jamieson, 6-1)
6 - Asteria Blue Chip (Tetrick, 8-1)
11th Trot - $10,000; 2yo Colts and Geldings Late Closer - NW 2 PM or $15,000 Lifetime
2 - Haulin Laser (D Miller, 7-2)
5 - Valiant Warrior (Tr Tetrick, 3-1)
6 - Ax Man (Wrenn, 5-2)
9 - Total Outlaw (Pierce, 15-1)
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