The Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, the investigative and analytic arm of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America (TRA), unveiled to the boards of directors of both organizations a technically-innovative and effective strategy to facilitate
stop-betting across the entire pari-mutuel network at the start of every race and end the unfounded perception of untoward betting activity currently caused by late-odds shifts.
The TRA and TRPB boards enthusiastically endorsed the development of a comprehensive business plan to launch a tote-enhancing initiative designed to address fan concerns with pari-mutuel wagering and improve efficiency and security in the future.
TRPB President Frank Fabian said, “As TRPB’s Wagering Integrity Unit has been increasingly called upon to review wagering associated with races involving some type of tote protocol communication failure, the need to proactively address these matters through the development of enhanced tote security measures is apparent. TRPB has the unique experience, expertise, and vendor relationships to fashion these advancements.”
Although details of TRPB’s technical plan remain confidential, Fabian noted that ongoing discussions with prominent industry service providers and all four U.S.-based tote companies have been productive.
The technical solution proposed by TRPB would operate on a parallel path but outside of the current inter-tote system protocol, enabling TRPB to provide independent redundancy to certain race day control functions. Additionally, wagering data collected by TRPB’s tote security devices will enable TRPB to produce and distribute real-time decimal win-odds to host tracks for video display.
According to Fabian, “Not only will TRPB’s proposed solution address current concerns, it will provide tracks and bettors with valuable real-time wagering information and a technical infrastructure capable of implementing timely changes and research and development in the future.”
The TRPB Wagering Analysis Unit already reviews the daily wagering for races at every TRA member track through autonomous algorithmic processing designed to identify anomalies in payoff prices, volume variance, and odds fluctuations. Any wagering activity falling outside defined parameters is scrutinized further and, if warranted, investigated by the TRPB.
The TRA and TRPB boards of directors unanimously approved and funded TRPB’s proposal to develop the TRPB Tote Security Initiative business plan for presentation during a special session at the boards’ annual meeting in March 2010.