Bobby Z's Editorial Page |
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Editorial PA and its tracks are NOT fan friendly 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.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial ADIOS!
October 8th was the last day of operation for this 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.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial Caveat
Emptor
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.
Caveat Emptor
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial You
only get one shot at a first impression 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
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.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial The Employment Executioner is back in control 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. 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.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial 43rd Running of the Adios Pace
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.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial Union Busting (Part II)
The following was found at the USTrotting website. My comments follow:
MEC Pennsylvania
Racing files for bankruptcy protection 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.
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), there 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
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Editorial La Torre's Propaganda
The following was found at the USTrotting website. My comments follow: Meadows casino players
win more than $10 million in first month Washington, PA --- The
Meadows Racetrack & Casino announced players won $10,096,004
in jackpots during the first month of operation. The Meadows opened its $175 million
permanent casino on April 15. Since opening the larger casino, which
increased the number of slot machines from 1,800 to 3,700, the jackpot
daily average has increased from $200,000 to $336,000. In all, 4,161
players won jackpots of $1,200 or higher from April 15 to May 15. The first to open in southwestern
Pennsylvania, the 350,000-square foot state-of-the-art casino is one
of the largest on the East Coast and includes 3,700 slot machines, an
electronic table games pit, premier restaurants with spectacular views
of the gaming floor and the race track, a new racing grandstand,
simulcast area, bowling center and VIP super boxes.
Translation is that people
playing and DID NOT WIN a jackpot, lost a total of $11,054,422.00 to
payout that 10 million. Question I have for the author is that since
you know 4,161 players won the big cash, HOW MANY LOST to create that $11
million in losses or is that not important? Please tell the whole
story.
Also, isn't La Torre the one that said we would be bowling at the
Meadows in Mid May?.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial Opening Day at The Meadows Racetrack and CasinoAfter 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 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.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial Price was not right at several ADW companiesThe following with the corresponding link is the result of my injury into the discrepancy of the Pick-6 listed on March's editorial. The link and article are here for your inspection. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Price was not right at several ADW companies
Posted: Friday, April 03, 2009 9:33 AM
by Frank
Angst
A player who discovered a takeout discrepancy for at least one wager handled by several account wagering companies suspects profiteering while the account wagering companies claim an honest mistake committed by the tote company. Bettors who placed pick six wagers on Standardbred races from the Meadowlands through several account wagering companies this year paid a higher price than most other handicappers did. Until mid-March, Twinspires.com, Xpressbet.com, the Racing Channel, and BetAmerica charged a 25% takeout on the pick six for the New Jersey track. The correct rate for the Meadowlands pick six wager is 20%. The account wagering provider would have retained the extra 5% from its share of the total pool. TwinSpires said the mix-up stemmed from a problem with the net pool pricing controls in place and also involved two or three racetrack outlets. Bobby Zanakis, who touts horses on a website, said the Meadowlands pick six problem follows a similar issue with Standardbred track Pompano Park’s pick three wager earlier this year. Zanakis complained to Twinspires.com, Xpressbet.com, and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. “Only when I brought this to light … did they back down,” Zanakis said. All four outlets changed to the 20% takeout in mid-March. Kevin Flanery, spokesman for TwinSpires.com owner Churchill Downs Inc., said that TwinSpires did not intend to charge customers a higher rate on the Meadowlands pick six. Flanery blamed tote company AmTote, which processes wagers for TwinSpires. Flanery said the mistake was limited to the pick six wager at Meadowlands. “There was a glitch in the entry of information on the takeout rate,” Flanery said. “The two takeout rates didn’t match up.” On April 2, an AmTote spokesperson declined immediate comment while the company reviews the issue. Michael Vukcevich, deputy director of the New Jersey Racing Commission, said the account wagering sites did not break state regulations by charging the higher takeout, although he noted 25% was the maximum takeout they could charge for the wager. Once Churchill was aware of the problem, it worked with the tote company to resolve it. Flanery said AmTote has put measures in place to assure that conflicting takeout rates do not occur in the future. Magna Entertainment Corp. owns AmTote. “We know customers were affected. It’s a minimal amount of money involved, but we’re going to find those individuals and make their accounts whole on the differential of the takeout,” Flanery said. “Our guys are doing that right now.” TwinSpires sent an e-mail to its members on Thursday night making note of the problem, blaming the tote company, and saying that it would credit the 37 customers affected. “There is nothing more important to TwinSpires.com than insuring that you receive full value for your online wagering experience, and we will work on your behalf to make sure the technology providers in this industry do the same,” the e-mail says. Zanakis suggested as a courtesy to players that account wagering sites list the takeout for each track’s wager somewhere on their sites. Frank Angst is senior staff writer of THOROUGHBRED TIMES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial To those that recall earlier this year, Twin Spires has been paying less than track odds at Pompano Park. Well it happened again. The Pick-6 at the Big M is just the tip of the iceberg. Really do not know how many tracks are taking a higher retention that the host but apparently it is being done right under our noses. Twin Spires got back to me on Sunday and said they will look into it. This started on Saturday's Pick-6 at the Big M in which most ADW's post the host track's payouts. Not so with Twin Spires, Pha Park's online wagering and Xpressbet to mention a few. YouBet and Ebet USA (Penn National) pay track odds. I can only wager via Xpress Bet in PA due to legislation requiring all addresses with 50 miles of that track has the sole rights to them as customers. The Ky. Race Commission looked into it and guess what, apparently they are getting away with it. The Host Percentage is 20 percent of all wagered....but some ADW's with permission jack up the rate to 25%. I have to have a larger portion of my proceeds taking out prior to posting the payouts. Here is the Ky. Race Commission and my letter that I sent out to friends online...hence you guys. We are not told anywhere by these online services that we will be raked...only once we find the discrepancy, does it appear.. Here is the Ky Commission and my comments I just heard from the Ky Race Commission who stated that "Based on conversations with representatives of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB), a number of Account Wagering companies operating out of the AmTote Oregon Hub (including Twin Spires, Magna Xpress Bet, the Racing Channel, and America Tab) have a takeout of 25%, as compared to the Meadowlands and most of the other associations that bet into the Meadowlands, which have a takeout on the Meadowlands Pick-6 of 20%." It appears that we the customer has no protection from this surcharge of (5) Five Percent over other ADW's and the Big M themselves. Nowhere is it listed on all their individual websites. Like a thief in the night, they increase their to 25%. I contacted the Big M (two offices) who have failed to respond to this situation. It appears that the Big M has an agreement with Twin Spires et al. to screw their customer base as they could charge more hence this other snip: "Representatives of the TRPB have contacted the Meadowlands, but noted that the other wagering outlets can charge a higher takeout rate than the host track, if the host track (in this case, the Meadowlands) agrees to it."
It is ok to take out 25% of the Pick-6 without notifying the wagering public. I am here to notify you to stop betting any Pick-6 wagers via Twin Spires. I did not check the others but a couple. The Ebet USA and You Bet pay off at track retention rates. Guess I have to change the Meadowlands page to reflect the 25 percent Twin Spires take out. Saturday night payout was short $467. Who has our money? TWIN SPIRES MAGNA et al the ones listed above.. Penn National is looking real good right now..dam the law seeing how they broke the law in charging more than host track odds...they should be booted out. It is a fine line between profit and loss during a long wagering year. This 5 percent SURCHARGE without notice can break us. Boycott as you please. Options are to use another wagering service that actually pay track odds or don't bet at all at the Big M and through the robber barons ADWs. At least you have been warned rather than the tracks and ADW's themselves releasing that info. I would call your Attorney General 's office in your home state and key members on the Agriculture Committee in the house and senate. Tell them what is going on behind closed doors.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial Open Letter to Twin Spires Club at Churchill Downs
To whom it may concern:
I am a Winticket customer whom just entered your Rewards
Program at the Twin Spires.
After looking at some of the rewards I am totally
disappointed at the level received after playing with your service...
In order to gain a $10 wager as a reward, I must turn in
10,000 points. If I wagered only on Non-Twin Spires tracks, that would
return $10 on $5,000 wagered. A return of .002 %....what a cheap cheap return.
I understand that you have those multiplier effect on
points for those that exceed the $9,999 level, but come on, the majority
of your customers DO NOT MEET THAT CRITERIA.
Even if I bet TwinSpires tracks, the return will be a
mere .004%... Are you sure Churchill can afford giving that high amount?
(sarcasm intended).
I am personally shocked at the cheap level a organization
that gains millions and millions of dollars on a single race card would
even try to offer this as something the customers would like (well in
Kentucky but outside Ky?).
We can move our money off shore and gain up to a .07%
rebate given back to us on a next day basis. DO YOU THINK YOUR REWARDS
game will keep most of our money in the states? You got to be
joking...
One of the cheapest companies I came across was at the
Magna Meadows track. One receives 8 points for all Magna Tracks per
dollar wagered. 4 points for the rest except for some of the special
tracks so designated on different days. To get the same $10 wager
voucher, one must turn in 8,000 points or in other words, wagered
a grand and get $10...even at 4 points, wager $2,000 and get $10.
Magna Tracks Churchill Tracks
8000 points = $1000 wagered = $10 cash voucher 10,000
Points = $2,500 Wagered = $10 cash voucher
Return: .01% Return
= .004%
Non-Magna Tracks
Non-Churchill Tracks
8000 points = $2,000 wagered = $10 cash voucher
10,000 Points = $5,000 Wagered = $10 cash voucher
Return: .005%
Return:
= .002%
THE QUESTION:
Please explain why a company like Magna Entertainment
Company (a partner of yours in HRTV and has never: repeat never, paid a
dividend on either their stock traded in Toronto nor NASDAQ and has
never made a profit) is able to more than double their rewards to
their clientele than the Grand Empire of the Churchill Twin Spires Club?
Or in other words, Is Churchill in such dire
financial straights that the Twin Spires Club can not afford to
give a decent rebate?
I am blind cc: this mailing to my friends whom I had
change services from XpressBet to Winticket.
----------------------------------- The above was emailed on October 6, 2007 and as of this date, I have not received a reply from the Churchill Down's Twin Spires Club.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial HARNESS RACING TRIPLE CROWN
The Cane eliminations were held today....one horse was all ready in as that
"Puke in the Adios" aka "Southwind Lynx" got a BYE....the
remaining 8 entrants ran for 7 spots that were still open in the final.
This is the first leg of the Triple Crown...like I said in passed years, the
triple crown in harness racing has become a joke..can you imagine
the Kentucky Derby starting out like this?
The present triple crown lineup has me totally disillusioned with harness
racing... harness racing is looking more and more like the unwanted step child
of thoroughbred racing. Time for the powers that be to move the triple crown
to three races in which more than 9 horses are entered in the 1st
leg...otherwise, this joke will continue but it is presently no longer funny.
Why not have the Triple Crown be the North American Cup, Meadowlands Pace and
The Jug?
I know you would have more than 9 horses entered in the 1st leg. The other
option is to scrap the whole sport in its entirety and more our wagers to a
sport that has competition for its title of Triple Crown Championship.
On the trotting side, the 2007 Hambletonian winner (Donato Hanover) passed up
the Yonkers Trot. I guess the trotting triple crown is not that coveted a
prize as well.
Bob
Zanakis
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Editorial My Letter to the Author and Editor at the OR regarding the Article Written at: http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/08_12_ADIOS_COLOR_w_PIC
Mr. Bradwell:
Mr. Shaming (Mr. Magic Car Wash) may of failed to give you the full
story or his memory may of faded or you failed to ask the proper
questions. Mr. Shaming was barred or kicked off the grounds for having
the only two winning tickets and cashing those tickets on the trifecta
in which totaled over 14 thousand dollars. Why was he kicked out? His
horse in that very same race, which was driven by Bill Fahy and trained
by Dennis Ethier (Frenchy), went off as the prohibitive favorite
and failed to hit the board (be part of the winning ticket). A most
serious infraction of state rules. It is paramount to race fixing. All
connections were barred from racing in Pennsylvania. That suspension
lasted more than just one year. Trainer went to parts unknown. Bill Fahy
went from the Meadows to Scioto to Pompano to the Big M. Bill won many
prestigious races and in 1994 returned home to the Meadows..
To even post something on an owner who participated in one of the
darkest days of the track and to link it to Adios Day is deplorable and
a disgrace on your paper for not doing the home work or research
needed before you publish the story for the public's
consumption. I wish the Meadows and PA would of suspended him for life.
For that reason, I will no longer buy your paper.
If your intention was to reflect on the house that Delvin Glenn Miller
built, then you should of done your homework before you idolize some
criminal whom got his hand caught in the cookie jar. His offense was not
only illegal but immoral. It is one of the major reasons that forced the
decline of racing in South Western Pa.
As for the attendance, I assume you were there in person. Did you pass
any turnstiles? Did you pass anyone with a hand counter? The numbers you
posted are as bogus as Mr. Shaming's infamous ticket cashing. Those
numbers are provided by the track and are guesstimates at best. Unless
they charge the customers to either park or to attend, those are
fictitious numbers and should be rounded off to the nearest thousand.
Bottom line is if your paper fails to see the truth something as little
as a person's background or fails to question the information given, you
have stepped over the line into propaganda. Whatever your reasoning, it
just contributes to the belief that the O-R is just another rag. Why
should I believe any story written throughout the paper when your credibility
is gone. No wonder the readership is not what it is to be expected.
You also cited:
"Schaming's friend and fellow horseman Sal Celedonia, also of
Upper St. Clair"
Did you even think to ask the question if Sal is related to or in fact
the same person whom appeared in the caption below? Or are you oblivious
to the history of Washington County? A county in which the county seat
is just a block from your office.
The attorney general's office said Flynn, 62, of East Washington, and a partner, Charles Martin, 50, of South Strabane, worked with eight bookies, identified as Daniel Piccolo, 75, and Charles Skorvan, 58, both of Monongahela; William McGonigle, 69, of Peters; John Pankas, 68, of Canonsburg; William Antonio, 58, of Beallsville; Edmund Cononge, 43, of Canton; James Celedonia, 50, of Upper St. Clair, Allegheny County; and Anthony Cihal, 76, of Pittsburgh.
Apparently not. A book-maker interviewed with a man whom was kicked off
the track are your main sources and lead in. Are you getting paid to
promote the seedy side of the Meadows? You should pray and give thanks
to God above that I am not a superior of yours as you would be filling
out you Unemployment Application online at this very time.
Bob Zanakis
Bobby Z's Picks at the Races
http://mysite.verizon.net/r.zanakis/frames.htm http://zspicks.blogspot.com
ps: I will be posting this email as a page on my website., If you
or your editor would like to respond or address my concerns,
I will post same on that page.
---- It has been 3 days since mailing of the above, and no response from the Observer/Reporter or the author of the article presented. Here is a copy of said article:
Bob Zanakis Editor | ||||
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Editorial
ADIOS ADIOS
Goodbye Adios we’re sad to see you go. Even though in the last few years, your handle has been low. No more Delvin Miller, no more Adios the horse, Time the great odds maker has finally run it course. Soon the grand old building, glass façade and all, Will be razed and torn by the wrecking ball. Gone will be the tote machines, and the leaking roofs Gone will be the TV screens and the sounds of hooves. Goodbye grumbling bettors, those not in the fix. Goodbye to low payoffs, so long losing tix. Adieu to the clubhouse dining with the steaks so tough Branded with the whip marks when the drivers were rough So we say goodbye, adios my friends. Slots, not racing, are the latest trends. Bells and gongs and whistles, lights that flash To the slots I say, you can kiss my ass. Adios, goodbye. So long, see you later. To the ghettos and racing soon to be a crater Racing will never be the same. Now it’s a racino, that’s the new game. Adios, Adios
Randy Brownlee Contributing Race Analyst |
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Editorial
"Slots and Metamorphosis of Racing"
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.
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Editorial Slots
Revenue And Its Effects On Racing. 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 the 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 higher slot induced 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. 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.
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Editorial PA GAMING BOARD
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 !!
(as they leave Western PA)
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Editorial 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.
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Editorial I certainly would not want to be the person in
charge that denies medical help to those that need it in order to save a
gallon or so of gas per day. The cost is way too high, even at today's
high price of gasoline.
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Editorial MEC (Magna Entertainment Corporation), which purshased the Meadows, knew from the very start that their principle owner, Frank Stronach, was interested in the phone wagering system for his oligopoly of racetracks. Last year, MEC decided to not build the slots casino type building at the Meadows ($77 million) for the less costly ($34 million) to build a slot parlor in Oklahoma. MEC knew what was about to be the sale of the Meadows and had to diverse the XpressBet from the Meadows operation. With making XpressBet a stand-alone company, the retention rates or dispersal of those funds wagered would be less to the horsemen’s accounts. Now with the pending sale of the Meadows to Millennieum Oaktree organization, a person like myself who wagers at the Meadows has a decision to make. In fact, they believe in their company so much that they are willing to pay you to try them out. Open a new account with WinTicket.com with a minimum deposit of $50.00. Once you have reached the $100.00 threshold of bets (or wagers), they will deposit $100.00 into your account the next day. So if you placed and wagered $100.00, win, lose or draw, you get another $100.00 back to you. You have been entertained at no cost to you. You may even make money with no risk to your investment. Any reasons to keep that XpressBet wagering account have been rendered moot with the sale of The Meadows Race Track. If you are interested in opening an account with
WinTicket, call (866)
891-5100 and tell them you are referred by Bobby Zanakis. I get
some money when you get yours. The day you get your $100.00, I get $50.00
added to my account.
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Editorial If harness racing is ever to become a big time sport like professional baseball, football, hockey or basketball, they better start trying to act professional. I will only report on two major problems I see with today’s racing. First problem is that of territorial jurisdictions having more power over the sport than they need to have. Each year, the USTA collects dues from all the owners, trainers and drivers in this country. One cannot participate without their USTA license. Take the most recent and most pronounced suspension since that of Walter Case Jr., that being of the sports number one man, Brian Sears. He is to serve a 6 month suspension in Pennsylvania with a require stay at a rehab establishment. Is he there now? No, he is driving in Canada and New Jersey. If the states will not recognize each other’s fines/suspensions, what good is it to have them in the first place? I realize there are things like “stay” or “appeals” and I will not want to take a person’s rights away, but who is protecting the rights of Joe Q Public with their wagering money that supports this sport? I think it is high time for the USTA to get into this matter and try to bring something credible to the table. If the USTA could not pull or suspend the licenses of their membership for causation like positive test, felonies, etc, they should write it in their bylaws. If one person in any professional sport is on suspension for something that happened in Pittsburgh, why should he be permitted to participate in the sport in Chicago? It is time for the USTA to gain some power and start to regulate this sport or otherwise the average age of the crowds in attendance will be ever growing higher with less people supporting the tracks. Problem two as I see it is the level of professionalism or lack thereof in the judges booth. I started paying more attention to this since they announced the fiasco of the judges at Scioto Downs on May 29th 2004. A blatant mistake like that should never happen. Look to just last Saturday at Maywood where the judges posted and made official the wrong set of horses. Not until the winner of the race called the judges to inform them of their mistake, did they correct it. Not to mention the missed calls at Mohawk for those premier races. I could go on, but you get the idea. We have to start testing thess judges and create an oversight bureau, similar to Internal Affairs in the police department. We need to judge the judges. If not, the public suffers once more. Again the responsibility and means is up to the USTA. Stand up and take control of this sport. If not, it will not be a sport of any professional standards. My last thought is that now with the advent of the home computer, news travels quickly. A screw up in Chicago is read about in Pittsburgh in a matter of minutes and not months like years past. We need prompt attention to the matters described above.
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Editorial It has become apparent that the
horse racing patron is at risk in Pennsylvania. A company, Xpressbet,
which provides online wagering in this state, can and did provide false
information on scratches, which misleads the customer to wager on another. On August 14th of this year, one
so-called company did post the horse Immediate Reaction as scratched
(would not race) in the 9th race at Mountaineer Park. Said scratched
horse did in fact win said race going wire
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