A race at Great Lakes Downs this past summer has been linked to Tuesday’s ban of seven jockeys by Tampa Bay Downs, the Daily Racing
Form reports. Terry D. Houghton, one of those banned, rode in the Great
Lakes Downs race that is currently under investigation.
The race in question came under scrutiny after a large number of suspicious
wagers were cashed at Delaware Park. Great Lakes Downs
officials began looking into the race, but the investigation was taken over by
the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB).
“I’m assuming it’s the same race they’re looking into, because the TRPB took
it over from us,” Herberto Rivera, a former steward at Great Lakes Downs, told
DRF.
Rivera, recently appointed East Coast Regional Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild,
added that the investigation into the race was still ongoing at Great Lakes
Downs when the meet ended on November 7.
On Tuesday, Houghton and six other riders –Jorge G. Bracho, Derek C. Bell, Luis
A. Castillo, Jose H. Delgado, Joseph C. Judice and Ricardo A.
Valdes — were ruled off the grounds of Tampa Bay Downs in what track
management called “an ongoing investigation.” The jockeys banned from
Tampa Bay Downs were questioned by the TRPB at that track last week.
Also last week, jockeys Rene Douglas and Jose Bracho were ruled off by Calder
Race Course, but officials have not revealed if there is any connection between
the Calder and Tampa Bay bans.