Linda Rice Investigation

[Robert Fischer]

I haven't seen any word on this yet @ PA. Please merge if it's already up somewhere.

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/trainer-linda-rice-investigated-new-york-state-gaming-commission/

Allegedly exchanged gifts for inside information from racing office / 'InCompass' system or similar info on which horses were entered in a race(before the race had closed).

She says she was given that info because that's how the racing office was 'hustling'(attempting to fill) races.
And that “I gave Christmas gifts to the gate crew and racing office not for exchange of information”.

Is this a legitimate concern?

Is this a smear job or 'rat' job by Morales in his issues? Is she a 'good guy' (or 'good gal' in this case) who is being unfairly persecuted, or has she been exploiting the system for inside info.

Would it behoove a trainer to know who is entered in a race before they make their decision to spot a horse?? Would it behoove them to know a horse tried to go in an allowance that didn't fill and then opted to run for a high tag? Would it behoove a trainer or bettor to know whether claiming slips had come in for a horse(not an issue specifically touched on in this article, this is my own separate thought)?

[Tom]

CJ posted the link in the thread about the racing official being escorted off the grounds.

Disheartening to read this. :ThmbDown:

[SaratogaSteve]

I think this is related to the topic re: NYRA's "hustling" to fill races, but I followed the horse Divine Oath, who was claimed by David Jacobson and entered (and ran once) in a series of $10k claiming races. Long story short, he was rescued by Robert Masiello and West Point, but in the stories, Jacobson is quoted second-hand:

Calls were put in to Jacobson, who told them he no plans to run Divine Oath in the race. He had merely entered Divine Oath in the race so that it would be carded.

Which explains his and Rice's incessant enter/scratching. Interesting.

[onefast99]

I’m sure this is a normal thing for those Elite trainers but it affects everyone especially if those entered horses who scratch get zero days and re enter immediately. I’m not opposed to a racing office telling a trainer a race came up tough or light but giving someone a distinct advantage on a scratched horse is not going to be tolerated.

[Fager Fan]

I’m sure this is a normal thing for those Elite trainers but it affects everyone especially if those entered horses who scratch get zero days and re enter immediately. I’m not opposed to a racing office telling a trainer a race came up tough or light but giving someone a distinct advantage on a scratched horse is not going to be tolerated.

It's not normal for any trainer to get this information except for Graded Stakes, and then a lot of that is in the press and noms are published so it's not that much of a secret.

This information is especially important in the claiming ranks because it gives access to the state vet reports on the horse, so that can help someone decide whether to claim or not to claim. I think these vet reports are shared by all tracks too, so it isn't just NYRA horses but Laurel and horses running at other tracks. That's in addition to knowing if there's some tough horses being dropped down and leaving you to decide to go in another race.

[onefast99]

It's not normal for any trainer to get this information except for Graded Stakes, and then a lot of that is in the press and noms are published so it's not that much of a secret.

This information is especially important in the claiming ranks because it gives access to the state vet reports on the horse, so that can help someone decide whether to claim or not to claim. I think these vet reports are shared by all tracks too, so it isn't just NYRA horses but Laurel and horses running at other tracks. That's in addition to knowing if there's some tough horses being dropped down and leaving you to decide to go in another race.I have heard from several trainers that they can get info on a race as I stated in my post to see if that is a tough race or not and then decide to scratch. My issue is those that scratch end up entering into other races(at the same track or elsewhere)and do not get days, that is wrong. I also disagree with those trainers who enter a horse into a race to make it go and then do not run, this happens a lot at MP.