Reports indicate a year-long investigation prompted police to raid three homes in southeast Michigan
on Thursday.
According to the Detroit Free Press, about 30 drivers, trainers, owners and bettors are possibly implicated in a race fixing ring that involves all three of Michigan's harness racing tracks - Hazel Park Raceway, Northville Downs and Sports Creek Raceway. The Ontario Racing Commission is also involved in the investigation, which is still ongoing.
"Whoever gets to the table first get the best consideration," said Inspector Ellis Stafford. "It's really in their interest to be coming forward."
Those with information are asked to call the Michigan Gaming Control Board at 517-241-1426 or the State Police at 517-336-3437. The gaming board also has an anonymous tip line, 888-314-2682.
(with files from the Detroit Free Press)
The timing of this release
The timing of this release corresponds to pivotal decisions involved in horseracing in Michigan. State funding is once again cut, the Racing Commissioner is being replaced by the Gaming Commission, which represents the regulation of the 3 major casinos in downtown Detroit who compete directly with the "A" tracks, Hazel Park and Northville Downs.The Gaming Commission has stated that the horseracing industry was thrust upon it.They are telling us we need to cut dates AGAIN to 2 days per week.They have no interest in preserving the 40,000 jobs associated with the industry; few people will be on unemployment because they are self employed.This sounds like a witch hunt, when they're asking for people to call the State Police with information, yet they've been investigating for a year? Sports Creek handles about $30,000 per night with 15 races-you figure it out- how much race fixing can there possibly be? Do you think its possible the casinos have people calling the anonymous tip line?Don't get me wrong, if there really is race fixing going on, people should be prosecuted. But so little real info has been released it has to make you wonder what's really going on. People are really suffering in Michigan already, and the honest people who are trying to save our sport are cringing.
should there be convictions
should there be convictions on the US side.....there is NO WAY the perpetrators can be allowed over on this side to race again, right ORC???
maybe ever again, right?
it really is the only way...
..and hopefully, no Canadians are involved.
trying desperately to keep it all clean,
jctoronto