The New Jersey Racing Commission is investigating daily double wagers made Saturday at Freehold Raceway and other sites to see if there are any links between a low payoff, a scathing accusation and a physical altercation between two veteran horsemen.
The Asbury Park Press reported today that the Commission is looking into the daily double payoff, which Frank Zanzuccki, executive director of the NJRC, called relatively low.
In Freehold’s first race Itswritteninstarts paid $17.60. The controversy, however, came in the second race of the card.
Following that race, Anthony Nunziata, a local horseman, accused driver Catello Manzi of impeding his horse’s chance of winning, while helping another horse win. Nunziata also reportedly started accusing driver Mike Lachance of being a cheater as well, even though Lachance didn’t drive in the race. Nunziata, who was driving the heavy favourite Sonny N Matt, finished third.
The winner of the race, Sundowner Bobcat paid a hefty $61.20, combining for a daily double of only $77.20.
Zanzuccki told the Asbury Park Press that although the payoff seemed low, the win pool is separate from daily double wagering.
"We're not done yet with our analysis of the wagering," Zanzuccki told the paper. "The total daily double pool was about $10,000, which is very small, and we're in the process of checking all the wagers."
Zanzuccki said wagers made at New Jersey tracks did not show "anything in terms of unusual wagering. There were a series of $20 daily-double bets with the winner of the first race and three or four horses in the second race, but they appeared to be logical handicapping selections."
Zanzuccki said bets made from simulcast locations outside New Jersey are still under review. Most of the money bet on the Freehold races comes from patrons at outside locations, according to track statistics.
Witnesses told police Saturday that, following a verbal altercation, Nunziata struck Lachance with his helmet, causing a large laceration that required 15 stitches to close. Nunziata was charged with aggravated assault but was later released on $1,000 bail.
Nunziata later told police that Lachance, and his son Pat, actually began the altercation. Nunziata said they kicked him in the back and face, causing Nunziata to lose a tooth.
The situation was supposed to be heard by the NJRC yesterday but was delayed because Nunziata requested his lawyer be present.
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/iss0503/srdailydouble0515.html
The Asbury Park Press reported today that the Commission is looking into the daily double payoff, which Frank Zanzuccki, executive director of the NJRC, called relatively low.
In Freehold’s first race Itswritteninstarts paid $17.60. The controversy, however, came in the second race of the card.
Following that race, Anthony Nunziata, a local horseman, accused driver Catello Manzi of impeding his horse’s chance of winning, while helping another horse win. Nunziata also reportedly started accusing driver Mike Lachance of being a cheater as well, even though Lachance didn’t drive in the race. Nunziata, who was driving the heavy favourite Sonny N Matt, finished third.
The winner of the race, Sundowner Bobcat paid a hefty $61.20, combining for a daily double of only $77.20.
Zanzuccki told the Asbury Park Press that although the payoff seemed low, the win pool is separate from daily double wagering.
"We're not done yet with our analysis of the wagering," Zanzuccki told the paper. "The total daily double pool was about $10,000, which is very small, and we're in the process of checking all the wagers."
Zanzuccki said wagers made at New Jersey tracks did not show "anything in terms of unusual wagering. There were a series of $20 daily-double bets with the winner of the first race and three or four horses in the second race, but they appeared to be logical handicapping selections."
Zanzuccki said bets made from simulcast locations outside New Jersey are still under review. Most of the money bet on the Freehold races comes from patrons at outside locations, according to track statistics.
Witnesses told police Saturday that, following a verbal altercation, Nunziata struck Lachance with his helmet, causing a large laceration that required 15 stitches to close. Nunziata was charged with aggravated assault but was later released on $1,000 bail.
Nunziata later told police that Lachance, and his son Pat, actually began the altercation. Nunziata said they kicked him in the back and face, causing Nunziata to lose a tooth.
The situation was supposed to be heard by the NJRC yesterday but was delayed because Nunziata requested his lawyer be present.
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/iss0503/srdailydouble0515.html
