Former Horsemen’s Bookkeeper At Remington Indicted On Embezzlement Charge

Patricia Bessonett, formerly the horsemen's bookkeeper at Remington Park and Fair Meadows in Oklahoma, has been charged with embezzlement and pattern of criminal offense for her actions while working at those racetracks.

According to a grand jury indictment handed down from the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, Bessonett is alleged to have embezzled more than $15,000 between Jan. 29, 2018, and Aug. 19, 2020, at both racetracks.

The total amount of money embezzled is not listed in the indictment. Oklahoma state code cited in the indictment provides for a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of no more than $5,000 for embezzlement of amounts between $1,000 and $25,000.

The pattern of criminal offense charge stems from the allegation that Bessonett “unlawfully and willingly [committed] two or more offenses as part of a greater scheme or plan” related to the alleged embezzlement.

A warrant for Bessonett's arrest was issued in Oklahoma County on Aug. 31.

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Commission Suspends License Of Owner Charged In Ponzi Scheme; Horses Transferred To Receiver

On Sept. 2, 2021, the Minnesota Racing Commission issued a summary suspension of the Minnesota Owner's License of Jason Dodd Bullard.

Minnesota-based Empire Racing Stables owner Jason Bullard is among two individuals charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission to stop an alleged Ponzi scheme. According to the complaint, Bullard and his partner, Angela Romero-Bullard, misappropriated investors' money to support other businesses they owned, including their horse racing stable.

Pursuant to the order of United States District Judge David S. Doty, control of all assets, including the Thoroughbred racehorses in Minnesota owned by Jason Dodd Bullard and Empire Racing Stables, LLC, have been transferred to a court-appointed Receiver.

Pursuant to Minnesota Rule 7897.0130, Subpart 4(E), Jason Dodd Bullard may not benefit financially from the racing, training, or caring of horses at a licensed racetrack while serving this suspension.

At the direction of the court-appointed Receiver, the horses will be allowed to compete at Canterbury Park while the case is being investigated but all financial gains from horses competing in Minnesota for Empire Racing Stables, LLC will be controlled by the court-appointed Receiver pursuant to the order from Judge Doty.

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Keeneland To Host Fall Meet Job Fair On Sept. 18

Keeneland kicks off its Fall Meet hiring campaign to fill more than 2,000 positions with a Job Fair on Sept. 18 and a recurring series of Hiring Center events during September that invite candidates to “Share the Tradition” by joining the track's seasonal team.

Among the staffing needs for the Fall Meet, which runs Oct. 8-30, are positions in Admissions, Concessions, Culinary, Guest Services, Parking and Security, Track Maintenance and other areas.

Apply in person at the Job Fair or Hiring Center or on Keeneland.com/jobs

On-site interviews for all positions will be conducted at the Job Fair and at the Hiring Center. Because employment offers may be made on the spot, candidates are asked to bring two forms of identification to these events.

A Job Fair will be held Saturday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET at the Keeneland Entertainment Center. Applicants who attend will be treated to a preview of Keeneland's new Fall Meet concession offerings, including gourmet ice cream from Lexington's Sav's Restaurant and a variety of hot dogs, among them the Hawaiian Dog and the Trifecta Dog.

On-the-spot hiring is possible for those who apply in person at the Hiring Center, located on the second-floor Grandstand, where interviews will be conducted Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Sept. 7 and running through Sept. 30.

Positions also are listed on Keeneland.com/jobs for candidates to apply any time.

“Keeneland's seasonal workforce is invaluable to our race meet operations,” Keeneland Director of Human Resources John Greene said. “There are many diverse opportunities to be part of the Fall Meet fun, enjoy consistent hours, earn extra money and work with a quality hospitality and operations team.”

Keeneland's seasonal employees, who come from some 168 cities in 60 Kentucky counties and 26 states as far away as California, represent a unique Kentucky tradition. It is not uncommon for several generations of the same family to be employed during a race meet and for an exceptional employee to obtain a full-time position.

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Keeneland offers seasonal employment in a variety of areas for the Fall Meet.

Keeneland Hospitality provides food and beverage service for the entire Keeneland campus, including the Clubhouse, Grandstand, concessions and Track Kitchen, and has opportunities for people with all levels of culinary, wait staff and host experience. Candidates, who may be seeking additional income, will receive the opportunity to gain valuable culinary and dining experience while training directly under talented chefs.

The majority of positions offered during race meets are entry level and do not require any formal training or education. These jobs can be a good fit for active people who are interested in a seasonal position that can lead to other opportunities and for those who are looking for a short-term opportunity to be part of a Kentucky tradition, a fun atmosphere and earn additional income.

Team members who are employed the entire Fall Meet typically work 40 paid hours each week and will receive paid training prior to the start of the race meet. Seasonal employees are paid on a weekly basis and will receive 50 percent off meals in Grandstand concessions and a 30-percent discount on merchandise at The Keeneland Shop.

Keeneland is welcoming back racing fans at full capacity this fall while remaining committed to the safety of our employees and guests. The track continues to monitor local and national health guidelines as they pertain to COVID-19.

At a Glance: Hiring events for Keeneland's Fall Meet

Applicants asked to bring two forms of identification to these events:

  • Hiring Center – Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 7-30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; second-floor race track Grandstand (take Elevator B from ground floor near Paddock).
  • Job Fair – Saturday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET, Keeneland Entertainment Center (enter Gate 1 on Keeneland Blvd., take first right on Entertainment Blvd.).

Candidates may apply online at any time at Keeneland.com/jobs.

In addition to outstanding seasonal employment opportunities, Keeneland is proud to support the community via its Volunteer Group program. The program enables fraternities, sororities, high school booster clubs, senior groups, charitable organizations and other certified groups that have a tax identification number to receive a contribution of $10 for every hour that one of their members works during the Fall Meet. Members of participating organizations might work in roles ranging from a server assistant in one of Keeneland's premier dining rooms to serving food and drinks at a concession stand or working as a parking attendant.

If your group is interested in applying for one of these select opportunities, please click here.

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CDI Releases Statement About Arlington Press Box Incident

Two and a half weeks after it occurred, Churchill Downs, Inc. has finally released a statement about the press box debacle at Arlington Park on the eve of the track's annual feature race, the $600,000 Mister D. Stakes, reports the Chicago Daily Herald.

Arlington president Tony Petrillo, buoyed by members of the security staff, cleared out the press box less than two hours after the feature race, while writers and photographers were trying to finish their assignments and send their stories and pictures to their respective publications. Petrillo even told one photographer, who happened to be on assignment for a Churchill Downs Inc. subsidiary, that she was “banned for life” from Arlington Park.

CDI's statement blames the incident on an unspecified issue of “safety” and a “miscommunication,” but media members present at the time call that excuse “disingenuous.”

Tonya Abeln, a media relations spokesperson on the staff of CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen, sent the following statement to the Daily Herald:

“Following the running of the Mr. D. at Arlington Park, we are aware that there was behavior in the press box that was in direct violation of our Media Guidelines. The Media Guidelines ensure safe and responsible operations and help maintain decorum for all journalists to complete their job in a healthy, safe and respectful environment.

“Because this behavior compromised the safety of track personnel, a security team was dispatched to de-escalate the interaction. Part of the planned response was to reduce the number of people in the immediate area.

“During this fluid situation, in the early moments, the goal to have all credentialed media relocated to an alternative location at the track to finish their work was clearly miscommunicated. We regret this incident impacted several journalists' work, even as we appreciate that the security team did what they felt was in the best interest of safety for those in the room.

“We share with Mr. Petrillo a deep admiration and appreciation for the work of journalists who chronicle, document and transfer the excitement of horse racing through their talents. This isolated incident is not a reflection of the values we place on that work and the relationships we share with those professionals.”

Read more at the Chicago Daily Herald.

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