Dan Finney is right about our addiction to casino funds

Rev Carlos Jayne, West Des Moines, Letter to the Editor

May 21, 2016

Thanks to Dan Finney for his straight-out truth about the star of the Iowa gambling cartel — Prairie Meadows [It's time to break our addiction to gambling money, May 19]. I say "cartel" because there is no legitimacy in casino operations, as their revenue is from "suckers." We citizens allow that, of course, because we  have become addicted to "free money" from the Polk County cash cow.

In the '80s Iowa churches led by the United Methodist Church started "Citizens for Gambling Free Government." It was a noble undertaking and successful for a couple of short years in slowing down casino expansion. Eventually all the existing Iowa casinos at the time formed an alliance and with the acquiescence (practically) of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, started dividing Iowa into "segments of suckers" so as to not be predators of each other but, rather, stick to being predators of the public in their designated areas. Obviously, the biggest pot of suckers is in the area designated for Prairie Meadows.

We are addicted to the money coming from our Polk County cash cow and the big, bad IRS is after its share. Will we have to start supporting our local nonprofits with increased donations rather than depending on casino suckers? Will horse breeders have to make their own way? Will our tax money have to pay for roads and potholes as originally intended?

— the Rev. Carlos Jayne, West Des Moines, retired United Methodist legislative advocate

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/05/21/dan-finney-right-our-addiction-casino-funds/84659026/

Iowa: Prairie Meadows: Supporting a dead industry

Prairie Meadows, like all tracks around the country is dead or dying, yet some continue to believe we should 'save the tracks.' Maybe it's time to let them die a peaceful death.

Some business and community leaders, however, have questioned Prairie Meadows' continued financial losses due to horse racing, suggesting the money could be better used for community programs.

Palmer said the nonprofit Altoona track is losing about $32 million annually on horse racing, which is offset by income from casino games. State law requires the track to offer a minimum of 60 days of live racing per year. This year's schedule includes 67 days of Thoroughbred racing, 26 days of quarterhorse racing and a 10-day harness meet for Standardbred horses.

Last year Prairie Meadows spent about $2.5 million on harness racing, including subsidies for county fair racing, but it took in just $42,000 in wagering on harness races, Palmer said.

Iowa: Prairie Meadows trainer charged

Trainer faces charges of injecting horses


Prosecutors have brought criminal charges for a horse-racing violation - believed to be a first in the state of Iowa.

Brian Muse faces three felony counts of cheating at a gambling game for allegedly injecting two animals with unknown substances Sept. 24, hours before their quarter-horse races at Prairie Meadows.

Muse, a trainer, referred questions to attorney Paul Scott, who said his client denies the allegation. Scott said the post-race tests for both horses showed no illegal substances in their systems.

"Mr. Muse did not commit any gaming violation," Scott said. "He did not cheat. He didn't do anything illegal, and he intends on defending this case vigorously."

According to a report obtained by The Des Moines Register from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the allegation stems from a surveillance camera in Muse's barn. The DCI polices gambling at Prairie Meadows.

The report states that Muse was seen on camera injecting Drill Baby Drill and Chi Ter about four hours before they raced. Chi Ter won the $68,500 Altoona Derby, while Drill Baby Drill was third in the $143,250 Valley Junction Futurity.

Another DCI report claims Muse removed a syringe from his shirt and injected Chi Ter with a needle and syringe at 6:01 p.m. Ten minutes later, according to the report, Muse provided an unknown substance orally to Chi Ter.

It is a felony for anyone other than a licensed veterinarian to possess a hypodermic needle in a state-regulated barn area. Muse faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on each of the three felony charges. Also, under state law, no one is allowed to give a horse medication on race day, aside from the anti-bleeding drug Lasix.

Racing allegations normally are ruled on by Prairie Meadows' three stewards, who have the authority to fine and suspend violators or to disqualify a horse and order any purse money returned.

In this case, criminal charges were filed after the stewards at Prairie Meadows interviewed Muse and decided to take no action.

Ralph D'Amico, the senior steward, said the board was given a report that Muse was observed injecting a horse - but was not told about the existence of the videotape. Part of the DCI's oversight role is to review videotape surveillance of the facility.

"When we questioned trainer Muse about the accusations in the DCI report, trainer Muse denied them. We had no evidence, we had no witnesses, we didn't have anything to go on," D'Amico said.

Muse turned himself in and was released after posting $17,000 bond.

Jack Ketterer, executive director of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, said he could recall no other case where a person has been charged criminally for a racing infraction in Iowa.

The charges are sending ripples through the Iowa racing community. Maggi Moss, a horse owner and attorney who recommended Scott to Muse, said she received 25 calls from owners and trainers questioning why criminal charges were filed Sept. 27.

Moss questioned why this case was treated as a felony when drug tests on the horses came back clean, whereas two trainers who earlier faced serious charges were left to be tried by the stewards.

Polk County Attorney John Sarcone said his department does not comment on pending cases.

Howard Dimitt, a trainer, was suspended for a year after one of his horses tested positive last month for Picrotin, a Class 1 violation - the most severe in racing's five-class rating of illegal drugs.

A ruling also is pending for trainer Alonzo Loya, who was allegedly found with a used needle, new needles and bottles of injectable substances during a DCI search. That also is alleged to have happened Sept. 24.

"Those matters are within the sound racing jurisdictions and laws set up to handle racetracks," Moss said. "We are an incredibly diligent profession, and we self-monitor and have the laws and tribunals set up to monitor ourselves more stricter than any court.

"Taking this out of the racing jurisdictions and going into felony court is an abuse of power."

Moss said her research could find no other case nationally where criminal charges were filed for breaking a thoroughbred racing rule.

Ketterer, however, said prosecutors can file charges if they deem fit.

"The DCI has the authority to turn that over to the prosecutor," Ketterer said. "It's really the prosecuting attorney's decision."