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New HBO Series Explores Impact Of Immigration Policy On Horse Racing Industry

HBO Sports and Vox Media Studios have teamed up on “Level Playing Field,” a sports documentary series featuring a range of stories that illuminate how public policies have contributed to inequities in the sports landscape and society at large. The four-part documentary series debuts Tuesday, Sept. 14 (8:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET/PT), with half hour episodes airing subsequent Tuesdays at the same time. “Level Playing Field” will be available on HBO and to stream on HBO Max.

The horse racing industry will be featured in Episode 3, which explores how the shift in United States immigration policy under the Trump administration caused a shortage of the industry's vital backstretch workers.

“Level Playing Field” examines how multi-billion-dollar industries in and out of sports have historically underpaid their most valuable assets, politicized community-based initiatives, and stifled the voices of athletes of color. Featuring stories and insights from sports and policy changemakers including the WNBA's Elizabeth Williams, U.S. senators Cory Booker and Raphael Warnock, Rep. Joaquin Castro, and sports journalist Jemele Hill among others, the dynamic four-part series looks at the far-reaching twin impacts of legislation and activism as they intersect with sports.

Episode 1: “Midnight Basketball”

Debut Date: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 (8:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Episode 1 investigates the intersection of sports, race, and social policy through a look at “Midnight Basketball” – the innovative program started in Glenarden, Maryland in 1986 to provide a haven for at-risk youths and help curb rising crime rates in the area. The successful endeavor was embraced by both President George H. W. Bush in his “1,000 Points of Light” initiative and President Bill Clinton in the 1994 Crime bill, yet still became the focus of partisan debate riddled with racial stereotypes – stereotypes that still linger to this day.

Episode 2: “Misclassified”

Debut Date: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (8:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Episode 2 focuses on the events that precipitated the NCAA's creation of the term “student-athlete,” connecting that history to a wider modern trend in corporate America: avoiding legally classifying workers as “employees” to escape the fiscal responsibilities that come along with that designation.

Episode 3: “Down the Backstretch”

Debut Date: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (8:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Episode 3 explores how the shift in United States immigration policy towards Central America during the Trump administration impacted the horse racing industry. With laborers from Latin America making up a predominant number of backstretch workers at racetracks across the country, the “sport of kings” – typically associated with big money trainers and owners – suddenly found itself with a shortage of some of its most overlooked and undervalued figures.

Episode 4: “The Assist” (Finale)

Debut Date: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5 (8:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Episode 4 explores the intersection of sports and politics through an examination of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream's landmark role in the election of Senator Raphael Warnock and the ongoing fight against voter suppression in Georgia. The Dream players' impassionate campaign against then-Georgia senator – and team owner – Kelly Loeffler made an undeniable imprint on one of the most closely watched senate races of all time.

The HBO Sports presentation “Level Playing Field” is produced by Vox and Vox Media Studios. Episode directors include Akil Gibbons (“Midnight Basketball”), Joe Posner (“Misclassified”), Sam Ellis (“The Backstretch”), and Rebecca Stern (“The Assist”). The series is executive produced by Mike Jacobs, Joe Posner, Emily Anderson, Chad Mumm, and Mark Olsen, and co-executive produced by Mac Schneider and Marina Stadler.

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SEC Files Ponzi Scheme Charges Against Top Minnesota Racehorse Owners

Minnesota-based Empire Racing Stables owner Jason Bullard is among two individuals charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday 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.

The stakes-winning ownership entity lists earnings of over $2.4 million since 2016, according to Equibase, with 146 individually-owned winners and multiple additional horses owned in partnerships. Thus far in 2021, Empire Racing Stables has started 179 horses, primarily at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., with 34 winners and nearly $600,000 in earnings.

Empire Racing Stables is currently second in the owner standings at Canterbury, and shared the leading owner title in 2019.

The SEC filed an emergency action and obtained a temporary restraining order and an asset freeze to stop the alleged Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Shakopee, Minn., residents Jason Dodd Bullard and Angela Romero-Bullard and the entity they control, Bullard Enterprises LLC. The SEC also named four relief defendants in the action – entities controlled by Bullard and Romero-Bullard that received investor funds from the alleged scheme.

According to the SEC's complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, from at least 2007 to 2021, the defendants raised approximately $17.6 million from as many as 200 investors to invest in Bullard Enterprises' purported Flagship and Platinum Funds. Bullard and Romero-Bullard allegedly told investors – most of whom were friends and family, including many elderly retirees – that their investments would be used to trade foreign currencies, and sent investors account statements showing that their accounts were increasing in value. In reality, according to the complaint, Bullard Enterprises stopped trading in foreign currencies in 2015, and the defendants simply used new investor money to pay purported “returns” to existing investors. Also according to the complaint, Bullard and Romero-Bullard misappropriated investors' money to support other businesses they owned, including a horse racing stable, limousine service, and health and fitness studio.

“Many of the investor-victims in this case were friends and family of Bullard and Romero-Bullard who trusted their promises about investment strategy and expected returns,” said Nekia Hackworth Jones, Director of the SEC's Atlanta Regional Office. “As alleged in the complaint, Bullard and Romero-Bullard breached that trust for years. Instead of delivering on their promises, these individuals used false statements and fraudulent documents to convince investors to pour millions of dollars into bank accounts used almost exclusively for Ponzi-style payments and for their personal benefit.”

The SEC's complaint charges the defendants with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. In addition to temporary relief, the complaint seeks, among other things, preliminary and permanent injunctions, disgorgement, prejudgment interest, civil penalties, and an asset freeze.

The SEC's ongoing investigation is being conducted by enforcement staff in the Atlanta Regional Office. The investigative team includes Justin Delfino, Krysta Cannon, and Tiffany Kunkle, and is supervised by Peter Diskin and Justin Jeffries. The SEC's litigation will be led by Patrick Huddleston.

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Fair Grounds Continuing To Assess Property Damage Sustained During Hurricane Ida

The Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, La. was in the path of the storm when Hurricane Ida hit the coast on Aug. 29, reports bloodhorse.com. No injuries were reported, but the track sustained damage to the tote board, multiple barns, and a lighting pole.

“The team at Fair Grounds continues to assess the extensive damage to the property as a result of the impact of Hurricane Ida,” track president Doug Shipley said in a statement to bloodhorse.com. “While there will be much necessary repair in preparation for our Thoroughbred racing season in November, we are most grateful that our Quarter Horse meet had been relocated this year and therefore there were no horses were on property.

“In the interest of safety, we were able to close operations and send our team members home. As you can imagine, with the current conditions and in the absence of power in the area, it may take some time to get an accurate understanding of the damage and to estimate a timeline for repair.”

Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La. shut down on early Sunday morning, but did not sustain any damage as a result of the storm. Evangeline and Delta Downs, both owned by Boyd Gaming, are reported to be fully operational. Delta in Vinton, La. was outside the path of the storm.

NYRA Hosts Fan Appreciation Week At Saratoga

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will thank its fans with a series of special events, giveaways and offers during the final week of the 2021 season at Saratoga Race Course.

Racing will resume Wednesday, Sept. 1 through Labor Day, Monday, September 6 at Saratoga Race Course. Labor Day weekend will offer a total of seven graded stakes, including the Spa debut of the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Saturday, Sept. 4. Sunday and Monday will feature a special first post time of 12:35 p.m.

Saratoga premium giveaway sale on Wednesday, Sept. 1

Fans will have the opportunity to secure a favorite track giveaway from yesteryear during a premium giveaway sale at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, Sept. 1 beginning at 11 a.m. near the Clubhouse exchange across from the News 10 Pavilion.

A selection of Saratoga giveaways from previous years as well as from earlier this summer will be available for purchase, including such memorable items as the Angel Cordero, Jr. bobblehead; 2015 Saratoga cooler bag and long sleeve tee; 2017 Saratoga wall clock, as well as a selection of Saratoga umbrellas, t-shirts, beach towels, hats and many more collectables from the past decade.

Vintage and current items will be available for $10 and less, while supplies last. Cash only accepted. All sales are final.

Special ticket offers and drink specials all week long, including buy-one, get-one reserved seats and tables; and Labor Day BBQ at The Rail at the 1863 Club

Fans will enjoy Buy One, Get One Free offers on reserved seats in The Cutwater Stretch and Grandstand, and reserved tables in the Fourstardave Sports Bar and Miller Lite Picnic Paddock all week long.

Reserved tables, including buffet and soft drinks, are also available for $85 per person throughout the week ($100 on Saturday) in The Rail at the 1863 Club, which will serve up a special Labor Day-inspired BBQ menu all week long featuring such classics as smoked brisket; pulled pork; candied sweet potatoes and cornbread. The menu on Sunday will offer brunch-style fare.

Fans will also enjoy special savings during the final week of Cutwater Spirits' ready-to-drink cocktails and Babe Rosé Wine. The beverages will be available for only $10 at The Cutwater Stretch, Cutwater Gazebo and all on-track restaurants.

For more information, visit NYRA.com/FanWeek.

Ticket giveaways on Thursday, Sept. 2

Pending approval by the New York State Gaming Commission, fans will have the opportunity to enter-to-win tickets to numerous Capital Region events and attractions.

Prizes include tickets to the Zac Brown Band concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Oct. 3; NYRA Bets Gift Cards valued at $50; and tickets to two of the Capital Region's top sports teams: the Adirondack Thunder and Tri-City ValleyCats.

Entry forms will be available at all Guest Services locations beginning at 11 a.m. No purchase necessary to enter.

Saratoga welcomes 2020 Tokyo Olympic Bronze Medalist Emma White plus Happy Hour Drink Specials on Friday, Sept. 3

NYRA will celebrate the accomplishments of 2020 Tokyo Olympic Bronze Medalist Emma White of Duanesburg, NY. White, who was part of the U.S. cycling team that captured the bronze medal during the Olympic Games in Tokyo earlier this summer, will appear in the winner's circle for a race named in her honor during the afternoon.

Fans will enjoy numerous Happy Hour specials on Friday, including a selection of cocktails for $10. Featured drinks include the Toga Peach Tea, Washington Lemonade and Chandon Garden Spritz Cocktail. Several beers will be available for the special price of $5, including Blue Moon Light Sky, Yuengling and Brooklyn Lager.

Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup makes Saratoga debut on Saturday, Sept. 4

Saturday will feature the Saratoga debut of a pair of stakes previously held in the fall at Belmont Park: The Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles for 3-year-olds and up, and the $600,000 Flower Bowl, an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares. The day's card will also include the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for sophomore fillies sprinting 6 furlongs and the Grade 3, $200,000 Saranac for sophomores going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Saratoga long-sleeve t-shirt hoodie giveaway and Berkshire Bank Family Sundays' free school supplies on Sunday, Sept. 5

The final Sunday of the season will feature a first post time of 12:35 p.m. and an 11-race card headlined by the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway.

Fans will enjoy the final giveaway of the season – a Saratoga long-sleeve t-shirt hoodie. The gray hooded pullover, adorned with the red Saratoga logo, will be available free with paid admission, while supplies last. Limited supplies available. NYRA strongly encourages fans to limit redemption to one item per person.

Children attending Berkshire Bank Family Sundays at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone will receive free colorable drawstring bags with back-to-school items, while supplies last, during the final edition of the popular kid-oriented weekly event. Kids will be able to color their back-to-school bags as well as enjoy a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office.

Families can take advantage of a Family 4-Pack, which includes four Grandstand reserved seats and vouchers for two hot dogs and one soda per person for $84. Clubhouse boxes for five people are also available for $150. Packages are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or in-person at the NYRA Box Office near Gate A.

Closing Day on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6

Saratoga Race Course will open its gates for one last time as the season comes to a close on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6 with a special first post time of 12:35 p.m.

The day's card will feature the Grade 2, $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap, as well as the prestigious Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs to conclude the 2021 Saratoga meet.

NYRA will present more than 100 pounds of Dunkin' coffee to the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) on Closing Day. The coffee donation is based on a pledge from Dunkin' to supply B.E.S.T. with one pound of coffee for every win by the leading owner, trainer and jockey of the 2021 Saratoga meet.

For complete details about Fan Appreciation Week at Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/FanWeek.

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