Background Checks

[TGJB]

Okay, so I read Hegarty\'s story (p3 Sunday DRF) about how the simulcast sites are now going to get background info from their customers or not be allowed access.

1-- Uhhh... does this also go for Xpress Bet, YouBet, and TVG? If not, what\'s the distinction-- other than that rebate players are getting a better deal? What\'s to keep the Genovese family from betting through YouBet?

2-- Uhhh... what\'s to keep someone who can\'t stand a background check from playing at the windows? Or is that the plan-- to force big betting mob types away from rebaters, and to the tracks?

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

I got background checked by Xpressbet. So much so, I withdrew my funds.

I don\'t see a Graph Racing interest in the Fred Capposela. I thought I read a blurb indicating you did.

[TGJB]

The Caposella maiden (favorite) is owned in part by a guy who uses Ragozin, I\'m pretty sure they are connected in some fashion to the purchase. We are not involved.

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

My Bad. You never know, but shortening up and bearing in doesn\'t sound especially encouraging. Forest Wildcats are precocious.

Channing Hill has one three on the card...lol

That last one was a nice ride, but those 7 pounds sure helped.

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

I really can\'t see this Forest Wildcat beinga strong 8-5 horse.

He did run a 44:3, lets call it a 45:3 at The big A. At a glance thats not a sure thing to get the lead. If it doesn\'t he\'s liable to have to run further than the other quick ones.

You don\'t see many talented horses going off at 82 to 1, granted McAnally may not push them right off.

He also couldn\'t handles a horse his second start he was closer to his first.

I\'m gonna try to beat this horse.

Summerland looks like a winner to me.



Post Edited (02-19-05 15:47)

[BitPlayer]

I didn\'t see the Hegarty piece (you do have a thing for him don\'t you), but I did see a piece by Steve Andersen in the online DRF that I assume covered the same ground.

The piece I saw related to the Magna signal.  It said that background checks would start in March and take about 30 days.  Hmm, when do the Gulfstream and Santa Anita meets end?  I wouldn\'t be concerned about Magna taking the lead in any offensive against rebate shops.  When there was a movement to cut off betting when the first horse loaded (in the wake of the BC Pick-6 scandal), it was Magna that said whoa.

I can think of a couple of distinctions between the sites you mentioned (TVG, Youbet, XpressBet, the track) and the simulcast sites mentioned in the article.  One is that most of the simulcast sites are offshore or on Indian reservations, and thus not subject to US jurisdiction.  Another is that you can\'t batch-bet through the sites you mentioned.

My own skeptical view is that the background checks are a cosmetic measure designed to take some political heat off the industry (hence the involvement of Giuliani Partners).  If, as the Andersen piece indicates, the check will include a review of the measures in place to ensure the integrity of the pools (i.e., not past-posting), I would think you would support that.

[TGJB]

Bit-- I don\'t have a problem with Hegarty\'s coverage of this story, as far as I know, not knowing if there was anything left out. I am absolutely on board for insuring the integrity of the pools, and I\'ve suggested ways that can be done without needing participation by anyone outside the tracks themselves. I agree that this is a political PR move, and it won\'t mean much in the long run other than that, unless other moves are made.