February, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Report: Misconduct, Improprieties Identified At New York State Gaming Commission, Breeding Funds

Fourteen gaming inspector reports released to the Times-Union have identified misconduct and improprieties among New York State Gaming Commission staffers as well as at two funds that offer financial awards for horses bred in New York.

According to one report, Yonkers Raceway judge Nicholas Ferriero officiated harness races that his family members participated in, and in “extremely suspect” behavior, sent thousands of text messages to a few horse racing participants while he was officiating.

Multiple Gaming Commission employees were reported to have participated in fantasy sports pools and other prohibited gambling, including while at work.

Jeffrey Tallarino, formerly a judge at Vernon Downs, reportedly engaged in inappropriate behavior including giving a “phallic-shaped cake” to another employee, and a Gaming Commission employee took “retaliatory” steps against a female staffer who came forward about Tallarino. The Gaming Commission was also reported to have delayed administrative action when allegations against Tallarino were made.

Former state steward for the New York Racing Association, Steve Lewandowski was reported to have improperly withheld purse money from owners on more than one occasion.

Brad Maione, spokesman for the NYSGC, said that to the commission's knowledge, none of the matters in the released reports were referred to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies.

Two state racing funds, the Agriculture and New York State Breeding Development Fund and the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, were identified in those reports to have members in leadership positions who either participated in the programs or benefited from the funds.

Jockeys & Jeans Stallion Season Sale Brings over $70K

This year's Jockey and Jeans Stallion Season Sale, which ended Jan. 24, surpassed 2021 figures, earning $72,450 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The auction was held on www.Starquine.com.

“We thank all the season donors and buyers who once again proved that the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse community cares about those 60 catastrophically injured jockeys,” said Jockeys and Jeans President, Barry Pearl. “And believe me the $1,000 a month stipend the charity gives to those men and women make a huge difference in their lives. We want to make sure they are never forgotten.”

Sales in the Quarter Horse section of the sale totaled $44,450 while sales of Thoroughbred seasons brought in $28,000.

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Well-Bred Tapit Colt Romps to ‘Rising Stardom’ at Gulfstream

Whisper Hill Farm homebred Charge It (c, 3, Tapit–I'll Take Charge, by Indian Charlie), a hard-fought, narrow second to subsequent GIII Sam F. Davis S. third-place finisher Volcanic (Violence) after a long duel going a one-turn mile on debut at Gulfstream Jan. 8, romped to a 'TDN Rising Star' graduation at Gulfstream Saturday.

He posted a pair of bullets at Todd Pletcher's Palm Beach Downs base since, including a four-furlong move in :47 4/5 (1/19) Feb. 5. Drawn widest of all in post 10 going a mile once again here, the 1-5 favorite cleared the field through an opening quarter in :24.24. Getting some separation three furlongs from home, Charge It hit the top of the lane in complete control and opened daylight from there without being seriously asked by Luis Saez to graduate by a flashy 8 1/2 lengths in 1:35.55. Pletcher stablemate and first-time starter Enough Already (Tapit) completed the exacta for his leading sire.

Charge It was produced by the winning mare I'll Take Charge, a $2.2-million KEESEP yearling purchase by Mandy Pope's operation. The 10-year-old is a daughter of bluehen mare Take Charge Lady (Dehere), who is responsible for champion Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song), GISW Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy), MGSW & GISP As Time Goes By (American Pharoah); and Charming (Seeking the Gold), the dam of champion Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway) and MGISW Omaha Beach (War Front).

Charge It is the 49th 'TDN Rising Star' by perennial leading sire Tapit. The Tapit over Indian Charlie cross is also responsible for the brilliant GISW and fellow 'Rising Star' Flightline.

9th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 2-12, 3yo, 1m, 1:35.55, ft, 8 1/2 lengths.
CHARGE IT, c, 3, by Tapit
                1st Dam: I'll Take Charge, by Indian Charlie
                2nd Dam: Take Charge Lady, by Dehere
                3rd Dam: Felicita, by Rubiano
Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $42,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Whisper Hill Farm, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

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‘Thrill Of A Lifetime’: Yes I Am Free Upsets Gulfstream Turf Sprint In Graded Stakes First For Owners, Trainer

John and Paula Szalay were nearly overcome by emotion when Yes I Am Free pulled off an upset in Saturday's $100,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint (G3), making it well worth the trip from their Peninsula, Ohio sweet corn farm.

“I never in my life could dream that I would be here like this, never,” said John Szalay in the winner's circle following the couple's first graded-stakes success. “Years ago, my dad and I used to race horses at Thistledown – $1500-2000 claimers. Paula and I said, 'We've got to get a good horse,' and we've got one.”

The five-furlong Turf Sprint co-headlined Saturday's 12-race program with the $100,000 Ladies Turf Sprint, a five-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares.

Yes I Am Free ($18) also delivered a first graded-stakes success to trainer Laura Cazares, who conditions five horses for the sweet corn farmers' Golden Kernel Racing Stable at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

“We got some names of trainers and we went to interview. Laura was the first one we went to. I walked in and looked at all of her horses, and I said to my wife, 'Paula, we don't need to go any further. She takes wonderful care of these horses.'” John Szalay said. “We said, 'Laura, claim us a horse and she got Yes I Am Free.”

Claimed for $62,500 out of a victory in a five-furlong optional claiming allowance on turf at Gulfstream April 16, Yes I Am Free had been competing against the top turf sprinters on the grounds, finishing third in the Turf Sprint for Florida-breds and winning an overnight handicap in six starts for his new connections.

Saturday, the 6-year-old gelding broke alertly to race second behind pacesetting Warrior's Pride, who set fractions of 21.35 and 43.96 seconds for a half mile. The son of Uncaptured took over at the top of the stretch and drew clear to win by 3 ¼ lengths under Emisael Jaramillo in 56.07. Richy closed with a rush to finish second, a head in front of Belgrano.

Gear Jockey, the 3-10 favorite who was making his first start since finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, raced evenly before settling for fifth.

Cazares said her career achievement was particularly special because she could share it with her owners.

“They're very hard-working people and they deserve the best. They've been through a lot,” Cazares said. “They've worked their butts off and to do well for them means a lot to me because that's what I'm here for, to make them proud, to make them happy and give them the thrill of a lifetime.”

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