Foreign Report

Well, it is a foreign report if you are in the United States.

Fraser Downs in British Columbia, Canada is reducing their takeout rate on straight and Win-4 wagering.  If you like late racing action and a reduced takeout rate, it may be a good option for you; assuming your ADW or simulcast location carries their signal.  Their race meet opens this Friday, October 7.

Those of us who live near major racetracks take things for granted.  Up in Regina, Saskatchewan, West Meadows Raceway set a record handle on the third day of their four day inaugural meet.  Their handle for the ten race card? $16,430; the highest handle in the province in ten years.  If you wonder how a track can be pleased with a handle like this, read the article and look at the pictures; you will understand.  Why are horsemen so excited?  The typical handle for a racing program in Saskatchewan has been $5-$6,000 a night.

It's beginning to look a lot like Michigan.  Stewards in NSW Australia are asking for phone and/or banking records of fifty people of interest in the scandal where stewards have been alleged to notify trainers when their horses were going to be tested for drugs the following day.  The stewards alleged to have been involved have resigned or been removed; it is a question of seeing how widespread this scandal may have been.  Speaking of Michigan, will there ever be indictments in their case?