2002 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA
Executive Newsletter
A daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyond
Stanley F. Bergstein, Editor
DREXEL BOYS: MORE THAN 3?
As the Breeders’ Cup Ultra Pick Six investigation
widens and federal investigators become involved
in the scam, HTA sources report that Derrick
Davis, Chris Harn and Glen DaSilva may not be
the only Drexel fraternity brothers involved in the
matter. Thoroughbred Times reports that the investigation
now has been turned over to the office
of the United States Attorney General, and in another
development reported by Daily Racing
Form, it turns out that Glen DaSilva, one of the
three former Drexel Tau Kappa Epsilon members
under investigation, also won -- through another
Catskill OTB bet -- $1,851.20 on a Pick Four at
Balmoral Park Oct. 3, and $115,408 on a Pick Six
at Belmont Park two days later. In the Balmoral
bet, DaSilva allegedly used single picks on the first
two legs and all-all on the final two. At Belmont
DaSilva had eight winning tickets, each worth
$13,070, and 96 consolation tickets, each worth
$113. No charges have been filed as yet, but the
three fraternity brothers have been evasive in coming
forward to discuss their bets, letting their attorneys
say simply that they have done nothing
wrong. The New York Post staked out Chris Harn’s
home, which they characterized as “spacious,” and
a photographer followed him to a local unemployment
office, where the paper reported he spent 90
minutes, “apparently filing for unemployment benefits.”
The Post ran the first picture of Harn to
appear since the scandal broke, and said Harn is
married “with a toddler and a large mortgage,”
and said he was unshaven and looked tired and
dejected. When Harn was asked about his relationship
with Derrick Davis, who placed the Cup
Pick Six bets, he said, “I have no comment to make
to the press. Get off my property.” For guys who
have nothing to hide, the Drexel Three are following
a course that can only lead the press
to more aggressive pursuit, and more coverage
is assured.
November 8, 2002
NTRA TAKES NEW STEPS
Responding forcefully to the Pick Six situation, the
National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced
three steps today “to improve electronic
wagering security and increase customer confidence.”
Through its recently formed Wagering
Technology Working Group, NTRA announced:
1) Within 21 days, each tote company involved with
any NTRA-affiliated licensed racetrack of off-track
wagering entity shall have commenced installation
of the necessary software (with completed installation
within 30 days) to scan all wagering pools in
connection with multi-race wagers after each race
or ‘leg’ of such multi-race wager;
2) Each account wagering operator authorized to
conduct wagering by any NTRA-affiliated race
track also shall have installed the necessary software
to record account wagers via telephone (e.g.,
interactive voice response or touch tone) made
through its system;
3) As an interim security measure, any winning
simulcast wager involving multiple-leg bets will be
reviewed by the relevant racing organizations. Any
wager deemed irregular or otherwise questionable
will be thoroughly reviewed with supporting details
provided by the tote company or companies involved
to the management of the host track.
10-YEAR ALBERTA EXTENSION
Horse Racing Alberta, the governing body of racing
in that province, has offered a 10-year license
extension to HTA member Northlands Park. At
the same time, HRA said it was not prepared to
offer a long term racetrack license for the Calgary
market at this time, citing an inability to meet standards.