Cal Expo race investigated

Drivers Todd Ratchford, Ray Burt, Jason Maier and Danny Maier have all agreed not to race at Cal Expo following a questionable trifecta payoff in the first race at that racetrack Friday night, May 5. The investigation by the California Horse Racing Board was triggered after horses at odds of 6-1, 6-5 and 28-1 finished one-two-three—with open lengths between each—and returned a trifecta payoff of $79.50 for a $1 ticket ($159 for a $2 wager).

Green Fields, owned and driven by provisional driver Jason Maier, had finished sixth in the same class his previous two starts but in his latest race led wire to wire and won by nine lengths over favorite Wovoca, whose driver, Rick Plano, was not named in the investigation. Finishing another five lengths back in third was Mow Em Down, whose driver Nicholas Casale was also not named in the investigation.

Burt drove 3-1 Omen to a fourth-place finish while Ratchford directed 8-1 Ya Never Know, who finished last in the seven-horse field. It was not stated as to Danny Maier’s alleged connection to the race.

According to a story in Friday’s (May 12) Sacramento Bee, the drivers agreed to not race and also not be permitted in any betting areas at Cal Expo until the investigation is complete. Officials of Sacramento Harness Association also froze payouts for the race, which still reportedly had many uncashed winning tickets.

“The California Horse Racing Board has a team of investigators and auditors investigation all aspects of (this race) to determine if any improper or illegal activities occurred,” Racing Board spokesman Mike Martin told the Bee.

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