I got "let into" a Mexican Mofia scam ring many years ago. A tout I used to call (Analyst Turf Publications - near Santa Anita) sold my phone number to the "Under World." Some guy "from the backstretch" named Frank Martin calls me and gives me a horse. He says "Put down a dime" - if he wins, which there's no question he will - you wire me half the profit." Being the idiot I was at the time, I agreed. The horse ran off by 10 lenghts. I placed our original win bet plus lots more. I made $13,800 on one race. It was Hollywood Park in like 1997. Horse was named "Little Itch."

This same guy gave me seven more phone calls and seven more "winners" none of which won. I chased them all. And lost way more than the $13,800...

Later on I told someone I know and trust about it and he said that had been going on for years out west and it was a Mexican Mafia scam.

Live and learn I guess - but I know for a fact certain races are rigged. Most times during low level claiming events on weekdays when nobody's really watching. Another interesting twist to the "Mexican Mafia" angle is the race in which Little Itch won - there wasn;t one white jock in the race - all latin jocks...