Breeders' Cup Pick 6 Payment Released

The toteboard lights up after longshot Volponi wins the Classic. Thanks to him, the fraudulent Pick Six wager was exposed.

Arlington Park racetrack, host site of the 2002 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, has been authorized to distribute the winning pool monies from the Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6 wager to the customers who correctly selected five of six winning horses and hold a total of 78 valid winning tickets. The announcement was made jointly today by Arlington Park President Clifford C. Goodrich and D.G. Van Clief Jr., president of Breeders' Cup Limited and vice chairman of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association ("NTRA").

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York today authorized the release of the funds, following the sentencings of Chris Harn, Derrick Davis and Glen DaSilva. The three co-defendants pleaded guilty to federal charges of tampering with wagers placed on the Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6 and other racing events in order to guarantee winning pay-offs. Federal officials investigating the case ordered all unpaid Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6 pool monies frozen in late October 2002. Those funds have been held in escrow by Arlington Park in an interest-bearing account.

"With the official release of the funds, Arlington Park is now in the process of contacting customers known to have valid five-of-six winning tickets to ensure the accurate and prompt distribution of the remaining Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6 pool monies," said Goodrich. "The Arlington Park staff will work with both customers individually and each racetrack, OTB or account wagering operator who sold winning tickets to answer questions they may have and arrange the most expeditious method of payment. We are eager to see these winnings distributed to the rightful owners and appreciate the patience and understanding demonstrated by our customers throughout this process."

"Protecting our customers and ensuring that the rightful winners received payment has been our top priority from the start," said Van Clief. "The individuals charged with manipulating the Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6 have been prosecuted and will be punished. We can now resolve this matter permanently for our customers who have waited patiently. We regret the delay they encountered as the legal case was adjudicated."

Each $2 winning wager pays $43,937.60, which includes any winning payments previously made to customers with valid five-of-six tickets. Customers holding valid five-of-six tickets will be paid a proportionate share of the net public pool and accrued interest based upon their specific wager(s). All winning wagers are subject to applicable pari-mutuel taxes, surcharges or fees incurred within the jurisdiction where the ticket(s) was purchased. As of the close of business on March 19, 2003, the remaining Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6 pool monies to be distributed, including accrued interest of $19,459.43 ($249.48 per $2 winning ticket), equaled $3,087,281.03.

Arlington Park will also contact simulcast outlets that sold valid five-of-six winning tickets to inform them of the payment process.

From an NTRA press release

More info:

• Pick six suspect pleads guilty
• Harn, Davis, and DaSilva turn themselves in
• Tote System Manipulation - the scandal breaks

Back to Horse-Races.Net main page