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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Thursday Night Notes - April 17

- There's an odd story on the Form's website informing us that NYRA has barred trainer Greg Matties from the grounds.

"There were patterns of wagering activity at account wagering sites that we weren't happy about," NYRA's president, Charles Hayward, said. "We have reason to believe the accounts were in family-member names. We're not saying there was any race-fixing or anything like that going on."

Hayward said NYRA was made aware of these irregular betting patterns by the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau.

Several members of the Matties family have competed in handicapping tournaments around the country. Paul and Duke Matties, who are brothers of Gregg, finished 36th and 56th in the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association Handicapping tournament in Las Vegas in January. [Daily Racing Form]
If suspected race-fixing isn't the problem, I'm not sure what it could be; unless one is using that term narrowly, not intending to apply it to something like, say, having information that a particular horse will be running below expectations. I'll be looking out for further developments on this, but considering that the TRPB is involved, we may never learn anything specific.

- Ramon Dominguez will ride Monba, and Garrett Gomez, who, along with his agent Ron Anderson, chose Court Vision in the Wood over Colonel John in the SA Derby, will remain on Mott's colt in the Derby. He worked a bullet (of 25) 46.1 at Churchill on Wednesday. Mott is the leading trainer at Keeneland, winning his 7th in the finale on Thursday with Hyrule, a heretofore money burning three-year old son of Smart Strike.

1 Comment:

Anonymous said...

Allen, the Matties (O, D, P) brothers are professional handicappers. Easily within the top 1% in the country. And they are very likable gentlemen, let me tell you. True handle enhancers. Tracks dont like those who take down the Pick 6 routinely. Trust me. I can attest to this and them. Their daily handle is comparable to those yearly salary's, to say the least.

They actually own 90% of the horses being trained by their brother Greg. Those should look it up, Matties Racing Stable LLC. Greg's 4 for 27 in 2008, at the Big A. Nothing to write home about, but fairly consistent. Probably should mention, claiming races make up the allotment. Unfortunately for him, NYRA has pigeon-hold the family over speculation around a race, they are not releasing.

Not for holding back. For winning, I believe. Take a look at his last winner, I think you will understand. So apparently NYRA if you win a race and have family members betting on "their" horse its enough reason to bar your stable from the track.

Or in NYRA terms, "There were patterns of wagering activity at account wagering sites that we weren't happy about." A.k.a allot of money according to the TRPB. Makes you wonder how TRPB got this information and what jurisdiction they have to govern transactions placed by handicappers? Government relations? (Maybe a story for you :)

Moral of the story, if you have a live horse and a bankroll to play it. Someone may be watching. I would love NYRA to further provide details. But NYRA and details will never go in the same sentence.

See him at Finger Lakes....