ZAYAT CLEARED BY CHRB
Investigators with the California Horse Racing Board said they will take no action at this time against owner Ahmed Zayat, who in documents related to his Zayat Stables’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing said he loaned more than $600,000 to convicted bookmakers Michael and Jeffrey Jelinsky and other family members. The New York Times first reported the loans last week. The Jelinsky brothers were convicted of felony bookmaking charges last year after a federal investigation uncovered an extensive illegal betting operation they ran out of Las Vegas.
Two other states, Kentucky and New York, are said to be investigating Zayat’s relationships with the Jelinskys.
The CHRB explained, somewhat curiously, that the loans were made before the Jelinskys were convicted of a felony. But the regulation that applies to CHRB licensees says nothing about “convicted” only “known” bookmakers.
Here is the language of CHRB Rule No. 1902, Conduct Detrimental to Horse Racing.
“No licensee shall engage in any conduct prohibited by this Division nor shall any licensee engage in any conduct which by its nature is detrimental to the best interests of horse racing including, but not limited to: (a) knowing association with any known bookmaker, known tout, or known felon, (b) indictment or arrest for a crime involving moral turpitude or which is punishable by imprisonment in the state or federal prison, when such indictment or arrest is the subject of notorious or widespread publicity in the news media, and when there is probable cause to believe the licensee committed the offenses charged, (c) solicitation of or aiding and abetting any other person to participate in any act or conduct prohibited by this Division.
Did the CHRB investigator read the CHRB’s own rules?
Then come back to the Paulick Report and let us know what you think
Tags: ahmed zayat, blood-horse, California Horse Racing Board, CHRB, Jeffrey Jelinsky, Kentucky, Las Vegas, Michael Jelinksy, New York, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, zayat stables
March 6th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Whoa, now, Ray,
You’re trying to cast too big of a net here. What says that the Z-man knew they were bookmakers? Even though CHRB investigators are unsupervised, illogical, resentful, judgmental rogues, in this case I think the CHRB bigwigs made the right call. If it were left to the investigators, I think the Z-man would be sitting on death row next to Joel Rosario…..oh, wait……goofontheroof took care of that!!!
btw, word is that Rick Amieva, the infamous rogue investigator on the Rosario matter has “retired” from the CHRB. good riddance.
March 6th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I’m so “shocked” they dropped the matter. I “doubt: it had anything to do with the fact Zayat currently has a contender for the Derby…naahhh…I mean the idea of this getting undue publicity during the runup to the triple crown races could’ve in any way influenced the CHRB decision…right? Anyone?
March 6th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Maybe they struck up a friendship standing in a long line at Disney World to see Mickey, who knows?
March 6th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
I believe that was a phony loan & it was gambling debts that were payable to them..iam not surprised what the CRHB did because they are stupid..the NY RACING & WAGERING should act a little diferent….
March 6th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
If racing pulled the licenses of every owner that has a ” knowing association with any known bookmaker, known tout, or known felon”………..I would conservatively guess that 75% of owners would be without a license.
Everyone that has been a guest on TVG would be gone as they are the biggest touts on the planet. Every time they give out a p-4 or P-6 ticket on air, it is for monetary gain as they receive a % of that bet. They promote their touts and they get to host and broadcast the Eclipse Awards. Maybe Ray should read the rule again and pay attention to the “touts” part instead of just reading what he wants.
Enforcement of that rule better be 100% crystal clear.
Richard Shapiro was charged with felony vandalism at a CHRB meeting and they honored him at the latest meeting. That seems to be a little bit hypocritical.
March 7th, 2010 at 2:59 am
#6 Well said. We have a big problem here with “inside information” and integrity” rules. If a trainer, groom or rider speaks to his friend or relation about his chances then he could be in breach. Super ironically if if he doesn’t fall over himself to respond to the media information-wise then he’s bringing the game into disrepute.
I suppose that racing, like the country, deserves whatever it gets because of the clowns that are allowed to run it.
Wait til someone decides that Betfair et al are the solution to your problems - when everyone becomes an unlicenced bookmaker - and able to make a one horse book - you’ll really see some funny results.
March 7th, 2010 at 3:01 am
#6 Well said. We have a big problem here with “inside information” and integrity” rules. If a trainer, groom or rider speaks to his friend or relation about his chances then he could be in breach. Super ironically if if he doesn’t fall over himself to respond to the media information-wise then he’s bringing the game into disrepute.
I suppose that racing, like the country, deserves whatever it gets because of the clowns that are allowed to run it.
Wait til someone in authority swallows the myth that Betfair et al are the solution to your problems - when everyone becomes an unlicenced bookmaker - and able to make a one horse book - you’ll really see some funny results.
March 7th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
sound decion from the CHRB. I THINK NY AND KY will follow…its a witch hunt!!!
March 8th, 2010 at 1:06 am
cannot stand zayat..hope his horse doesn’t make it to the derby..he was also involved last year with trying to stuff the preakness with a full field to keep rachel out..what a guy!