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Former Hastings Official Charged With Taking Bribes, Supplying Fake Credentials To Illegal Workers

Darren Scott Young, a former gaming inspector for Canada's British Columbia Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, faces 36 charges including accepting bribes and breach of trust for his alleged role in supplying fake credentials to illegal workers at Hastings Racecourse, according to CBC News Canada.

Young, 46, is accused of “falsifying information on licensing documents and substituting names and photos of illegal workers onto existing horse racing licenses,” as well as registering foreign nationals as owners in order to get around the requirement to produce a work permit for licensure as grooms on the backstretch.

In total, Young is suspected of paving the way for more than 30 illegal workers on the Hastings backstretch.

“It is common knowledge at the Hastings Racecourse that the horse trainers pay Young unknown sums of money to facilitate the fraudulent issuance of horse racing licenses to foreign nationals,” said an unnamed source in the court documents obtained by CBC. “Young has been getting kickbacks from trainers for a long time for getting people horse racing licenses.”

The investigation against Young began in October 2018 based on an anonymous tip, and Young is expected in court on May 26.

NYRA Introduces Saratoga Breakfast, Breeding Farm Tour For 2022 Season

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced plans for the first-ever Breakfast and Breeding Farm tour package at Saratoga Race Course. The Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tour, presented by the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), will be offered every Friday, beginning July 15, and will accommodate up to 40 guests.

The all-inclusive fan experience package features:

Buffet breakfast at Saratoga Race Course
Opportunity to watch world-class Thoroughbreds during morning training
Round-trip, open-air trolley ride from Saratoga Race Course to Old Tavern Farm
90-minute guided walking tour of an active thoroughbred breeding farm
Admission to Saratoga Race Course

The Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm package is available for $55 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for each weekly Friday tour, beginning July 15. Tickets may be purchased at NYRA.com.

“The inaugural Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm package is an exciting behind-the-scenes opportunity for visitors to Saratoga to experience a different aspect of the sport,” said NYRA Vice President of Communications Pat McKenna. “To be able to combine morning training with a visit to a breeding farm followed by an afternoon at the races is a trifecta fans won't want to miss.”

The package begins with Breakfast at Saratoga, featuring a buffet breakfast at Saratoga Race Course between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. with a backdrop of world-class thoroughbreds participating in morning training. Guests can arrive at any time for breakfast during these hours.

Following the conclusion of breakfast at 9:30 a.m., fans will board an open-air trolley, courtesy of CDTA, at the clubhouse entrance and embark on a 15-minute ride along picturesque Saratoga Lake to Old Tavern Farm for a 90-minute experiential and educational walking tour of one of the region's premier breeding farms. Fans will arrive back at Saratoga Race Course at approximately 11:45 a.m., well in advance of post time for the start of racing at approximately 1 p.m.

Established in 2016 by Walt and Michelle Borisenok, Old Tavern Farm is a private boutique thoroughbred-breeding operation in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Located just minutes from historic Saratoga Race Course, Old Tavern Farm has been developed into a state-of-the-art facility focused on the breeding and sale of thoroughbreds to compete at the highest levels of the sport. The name Old Tavern was derived from the 19th century tavern that once graced the property.

“We are honored to be part of this exciting new initiative in partnership with NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Breeders and CDTA,” said Old Tavern Farm founder and owner Walt Borisenok. “We hope those who take advantage of this opportunity may become lifelong fans of the sport while others may gain a greater appreciation for how thoroughbred racing supports our local economy. And we hope all will simply enjoy the chance to see these remarkable animals at their earliest stages of life on a working breeding farm.”

“The Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tour is a fantastic new addition to the Saratoga experience highlighting the importance of the New York State breeding industry,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “Thanks to Old Tavern Farm, one of the leading thoroughbred farms in our state, and our partners at NYRA, visitors to Saratoga this summer will be able to see a side of the sport that might otherwise remain behind closed doors.”

In the Capital Region alone, Saratoga Race Course is responsible for an economic impact of nearly $240 million and supports the employment of more than 2,000 full-, part-time and seasonal workers, according to the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency.

Additionally, findings from a joint study by The New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. and The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association reveal that the equine industry is active in each of New York State's 62 counties and is responsible for the preservation of as much as 1.3 million acres of greenspace.

The Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tour is presented by CDTA. In addition to transporting guests to and from Old Tavern Farm aboard a classic, open-air trolley, CDTA is the presenting sponsor of Breakfast at Saratoga, which is offered daily at Saratoga Race Course from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (excludes Runhappy Travers Day).

“We are proud to expand our partnership with NYRA to include this new offering alongside Old Tavern Farm for the 2022 racing season,” said CDTA's Director of Business Development Jonathan Scherzer. “This new experience will connect fans and visitors to the historic Saratoga Race Course and the rich history of horse racing in a new way. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone on board our iconic trolley for a new Summer in Saratoga experience.”

Highlighted by the 153rd renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 27 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 6, the 2022 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will open on Thursday, July 14, and continue through Monday, September 5.

Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

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Texas Racing Commission Threatens To Shut Down Racing Over HISA Oversight

The Texas Racing Commission has said pari-mutuel wagering will not be conducted at Texas racetracks on live or simulcast wagering if the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority asserts control over regulatory supervision on July 1, 2022, as scheduled.

The Paulick Report obtained a copy of a May 20 letter to HISA chief executive officer Lisa Lazarus from Amy F. Cook, executive director of the Texas Racing Commission, in which Cook asked to be provided “specific dates, races, and horses that the Authority intends to regulate … within the jurisdiction of Texas.”

Cook cited the Texas Racing Act in stating that “no pari-mutuel wagering is permitted for live or simulcast export wagering for races our Commission does not supervise. Accordingly, there will be no such pari-mutuel wagering or simulcast wagering in Texas on those dates which the Authority asserts jurisdiction.”

Cook said if Lazarus does not notify the Texas Racing Commission of HISA's intentions, “the agency will assume the Authority does not intend to assert jurisdiction and to regulate scheduled Texas 'covered horseraces' pursuant to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.”

Cook said “uncertainty created by your lack of communication,” impaired the commission and racetracks from planning races.

“My expectation is that you will extend to me the professional courtesy of notifying me in writing of your private entity's intentions, pursuant to the Act,” Cook added.

In a May 24 reply to Cook also obtained by the Paulick Report, Lazarus wrote, “As has been the case with every other state racing commission, we have made numerous attempts to engage with the Texas Racing Commission on the Authority's implementation of HISA rules and stand ready to work with you to ensure that Thoroughbred racing flourishes in Texas and across this country.

“Your letter appears to take the position that if the Authority acts as Congress directed, the Texas Racing Commission may effectively shut down Thoroughbred racing in Texas,” Lazarus continued. “If this is correct, it is unfortunate and unnecessary. It is is hard to imagine that Texas takes the same approach to other regulatory areas where the federal government exercises concurrent or limited jurisdiction.”

Lazarus referred to a portion of the enabling federal legislation stating, “The rules of the Authority promulgated in accordance with [the statute] shall preempt any provision of State law or regulation with respect to matters within the jurisdiction of the Authority under the chapter.”

Lazarus added, “Accordingly, while State laws are preempted with respect to matters on which the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has approved and promulgated a final rule, Texas law will continue to regulate matters on which the FTC has not yet approved and promulgated a final rule. …

“Beginning July 1, 2022, all Covered Persons and all Covered Horseraces (as defined in HISA) are required to comply with the FTC approved regulations of the Authority. This means that any Thoroughbred horserace in Texas that exports its pari-mutuel signal will be governed by HISA as set forth above. Should Texas choose not to conduct Thoroughbred horseraces that export their signal after July 1, then there will not be any Covered Horseraces in Texas to which HISA will apply.”

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U.S. Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Restructured To Promote Regional Rivalries

Breeders' Cup Limited today announced the 2022 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In schedule of 82 races in 11 countries, whose winners will receive automatic qualifying positions, and fees paid, into a corresponding race in the 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Horses from around the globe will be qualifying through the Win and You're In program for the 39^th Breeders' Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Grade 1 races and purses and awards totaling $31 million. This year's Championships will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 4-5. The first U.S. Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race of the year will be the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita Park on May 30.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, now in its 15^th year, will be hosted at many of the world's premier racetracks in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, South Africa, and the United States.

The 2022 series in the U.S. has been restructured into a regional qualifying program to balance divisional competition across the country. In 11 of the 14 race divisions, there will be one Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race per region, identified as East, Midwest, and West. Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifying races in the Juvenile Turf and Juvenile Fillies Turf Divisions will be limited to two races. Breeders' Cup will promote these regional rivalries on the road to the World Championships.

The exception to the regional format will be in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Division, which will have six domestic races in this year's series. The complete 2022 schedule is available here.

“We're excited to introduce our restructured regional format for the year's domestic Challenge Series to better identify our top qualifiers from each part of the country as they move on to the World Championships,” said Dora Delgado, Breeders' Cup Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer. “The Win and You're In format has been in place since 2007 and provides a fast track to the World Championships through an automatic selection into the race and free entry fees. We look forward to working again with our racetrack partners in conducting the Challenge Series races around the world this year.”

Last year, 40 Breeders' Cup Challenge winners competed in the World Championships at Del Mar, including five Championship race winners: Knicks Go, $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1); Yibir (GB), $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1); Ce Ce, $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint (G1); Echo Zulu, $2 million NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Corniche, $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).

As part of the benefits to horsemen, Breeders' Cup has allocated $5,180,000 in free entry fees for this year's Challenge Series. Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees and guarantee a starting position in a corresponding Championships race for all Challenge Series race winners. If not already Breeders' Cup nominated, the Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 24 to receive the rewards.

In addition, Breeders' Cup will provide a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters within North America that are stabled outside of Kentucky and a $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of all Championship starters from outside of North America.

Next Monday's Shoemaker Mile winner will gain a free starting position in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) and will be designated as the Breeders' Cup Challenge Western representative in the World Championships. The Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga (East) on Aug. 13, and the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland (Midwest) on Oct. 8, are the other two automatic qualifiers in the Mile Division.

In support of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which was signed into law in the U.S. in 2020, medications will not be permitted to be administered within 24 hours for all Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races.

Some of the highlights of this year's Challenge Series are as follows:

NBC and CNBC will televise the “Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing,” featuring nine live programs in the U.S. this summer and fall. The full 2022 television schedule will be announced on Wednesday, May 25.
There will be eight automatic berths awarded for the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The 4-year-old Cafe Pharoah became the first horse to qualify for this year's Longines Breeders' Cup Classic when he won the February Stakes (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan on Feb. 20. The next automatic qualifier in the division will be the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs on July 2. The Stephen Foster will be followed by the TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 23 and the Whitney (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 6. The Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York in England on Aug. 17 will be the only European Win and You're In for the Classic. There will be two Classic Division automatic qualifying races on Sept. 3 when Saratoga hosts The Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), and Del Mar will be the site of the TVG Pacific Classic (G1). The Awesome Again Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 1 will be the final Classic Win and You're In this year.
Automatic qualifying positions in the U.S. for the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) will be held on three consecutive weekends, beginning in the East with the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 27, continuing in the West with the Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association (G2) at Del Mar on Sept. 3, and concluding in the Midwest with the Calumet Turf Cup (G2) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 10.
In the U.S., the three “Win and You're In” races for the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) will begin in the East starting with the Ogden Phipps (G1) on June 11 as part of the Belmont Stakes (G1) day program at Belmont Park. The Ogden Phipps will be followed by the West automatic qualifier, the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar on Aug 6. The Midwest Distaff division Win and You're In will be the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 9.
The three domestic races in the Filly & Mare Turf Division begin with the return of the Beverly D. Stakes (G1), which will be run this year at Churchill Downs on Aug. 13 as the Midwest automatic qualifier into the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). The Beverly D. will be followed by the Flower Bowl (G2) at Saratoga, representing the East, on Sept. 3, and then the West automatic qualifier, the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita, on Oct. 8.
The three automatic berths into the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) will be decided in October. In the East, the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on Oct. 1 leads the trio. The two other Juvenile Division races will both be held on Oct. 8. Keeneland will host the Midwest Win and You're In, the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1), and in the West, Santa Anita will be the site for the American Pharoah Stakes (G1).

Complementing the season in North America, there will be 39 international Breeders' Cup Challenge races. The international portion of the series began on Dec. 11 when the 7-year-old Village King (ARG) captured the Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini (G1) at Hipodromo de San Isidro in Argentina to gain the first automatic starting berth into the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. On Jan. 8 at Kenilworth Racecourse in South Africa, two horses gained Win and You're In berths. The 4-year-old Jet Dark (SAF) won the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate (G1) for a free spot in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, and the 4-year-old filly Captain's Ransom (SAF) earned an automatic qualifying position into the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf by winning the Cartier Paddock Stakes (G1). On May 1, La Validada (ARG) earned an invitation to the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff by winning the Gran Premio Criadores (G1) at Hipodromo Palermo in Argentina, and on May 15, Sodashi (JPN) won the Victoria Mile (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse and earned a Win and You're In position for the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

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