ILLEGAL HORSE TRACK IN OKLAHOMA

Courtesy of :The Associated Press

Oklahoma Authorities Raid Illegal Horse Track



July 30 2007 Article # 10102
Authorities raided a horse racing operation suspected of running illegal races just north of the Oklahoma-Texas border Sunday in the culmination of an undercover investigation.

Constantin Rieger, the executive director of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, said approximately 100 people were arrested at the track near Thackerville in southern Oklahoma.

Rieger said authorities believe Jesse Romero of Thackerville had been living on the property where the races were held and was the primary operator of the races. Romero faced charges of illegal gambling and illegal operation of a racetrack, and could face other counts, Rieger said.

The arrests came after more than 400 people were processed by authorities at the track located near the first exit north of the Texas border on Interstate 35, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Kera Philippi said.

"I think there's a clear message that will be sent to all other illegal operations in this state, and there are many," said spokeswoman Jessica Brown of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, which assisted with the raid.

About 200 law enforcement officials, including about 160 from the Department of Public Safety, took part in the raid that started around 5 p.m. Philippi said all of the people at the track were processed by authorities to determine if they were involved in the operation or merely spectators.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol surrounded the track to prevent anyone from fleeing and set up portable fingerprinting stations to help process the arrests.

Rieger said the organizers were holding "match races" on a straightaway generally featuring two horses against each other. Those found to be involved would face charges of operating an illegal horse racing operation, gambling, racketeering, and money laundering, Rieger said. Others were also being charged with flight from officers and resisting arrest.

"It's an illegal operation, no matter whether you're betting on the horses or running the thing," Brown said.

Brown said officials found a racing form listing seven races planned for Sunday. She said more than $100,000 in cash and about 100 horses were seized in the raid. The state Agriculture Department was on hand to deal with the racehorses.

"These are well cared-for animals in racing condition," Rieger said.

Sheesh...those charges are pretty rough!

Just what the industry could do without right now...

We all need GOOD press out there...NOT this kind of stuff!!!

Anyone know anything about the horses and what they are going to do whith them?

Hi Sue: The only thing I heard is that the horses were taken to OSU at Stillwater. I'm sure they're being well taken care of. Hopefully there is something in place for the owners to reclaim their property. I'll post anything else I hear but I doubt it will be much.