Link to the whole story at the drf.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/41894.html

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Most important excerpt:

Pick six data is routinely delayed

The pick six appears particularly vulnerable to computer manipulation because of the way data is transmitted from many different sources into commingled parimutuel pools. According to mutuel managers at prominent tracks, the information regarding the amounts of pick six wagers is transmitted the instant a wager is placed, but the actual structure of the bet, including the specific horses that are being used, is not transmitted until after the fourth race is run in the pick six sequence.

The data is not transmitted all at once because pick six wagers include so many potential combinations that the size of the computer files could create traffic problems in the sophisticated totalisator network that links tracks across the country and continually updates wagering information. Instead, only the complete information from tickets still "live" after four races is transmitted into the commingled pools before the fifth race.

Window of opportunity for fraud

According to some officials, the difference creates a window of opportunity - sometimes lasting up to 2 1/2 hours - in which data is being stored and when a computer expert or someone with access to the pools could manipulate specific bets. Since the actual numbers of the horses used in each bet do not have to be communicated to other sites until after the fourth race, the ideal way for a computer expert to rig a pick six bet at minimum cost would be to use the single-single-single-single-all-all ticket structure.

So when the winning Breeders' Cup pick six ticket came back too light, it instantly set off alarms.

"According to all the scam theorists I've talked to," said one official close to the investigation, "the money would go in at the right time, but the horses would not get selected until after the fourth leg has been run. That's exactly what we saw here."

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The article speculates that there may have been similar instances of delayed "Final picks" at Saratoga with large carryovers.

Had they had used only one ticket, no one would have been the wiser, they got greedy.

jb



burunduks@usa.com