A US district attorney in Nevada has charged two people with three felony counts of running an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and interfering with the administration of IRS laws in an investigation linked to the defunct offshore rebate shop International Racing Group, according to a document filed Feb. 18 in U.S. District Court.
The document, which is called a criminal information, charges Jeffrey and Michael Jelinsky, two brothers, with the three felony counts. The document did not provide details about the gambling business other than to say that it involved “sports betting.”

The U.S. attorney who filed the criminal information complaint, Gregory Bower, did not return a phone call Tuesday. District attorneys frequently file criminal information documents in investigations that involve the forfeiture of assets.

As part of the investigation, authorities for the district attorney’s office seized millions of dollars from the Jelinskys and their alleged associates, including $1.3 million held in an account at International Racing Group under the name “It’s All Good Buddy Inc,” according to the document. Two other accounts at IRG with $92,000 and $40,000 on deposit were also seized, along with hundreds of thousands of dollars from other bank accounts.

IRG was shuttered by its parent company, Youbet.com, early in 2008 after the company said that wagering at the shop had dropped off precipitously. Youbet had acknowledged four months earlier that authorities in Nevada were conducting an investigation of several of IRG’s customers and had seized several accounts. Neither IRG nor Youbet.com has been charged with a crime, and the criminal information does not contain a reference to either company other than in a list of the sources of the seized assets.

Youbet purchased IRG in 2005 for $2 million in cash and a block of shares, in the hopes of capitalizing on a business that had attracted high-rolling players using computerized wagering systems. IRG, like most rebate shops, awarded the bettors significant rebates, and those rebates averaged 12 percent of handle through the shop in 2004, according to the company’s financial documents.

Just prior to Youbet purchasing IRG, the rebate shop had been named in an indictment alleging that members of an organized crime family had used the shop to make bets on behalf of customers who did not have accounts at the company. The ringleaders of the scheme were eventually convicted. IRG was not charged in that indictment either.

Youbet’s chief executive officer, Michael Brodsky, did not return a phone call Tuesday.

Success Brocken turned the tables on Casino Drive and Kane Hekili at Tokyo on Sunday as he outdueled them in the $1,95 million February Stakes. The 19-1 winner, however, will not proceed to Dubai for the World Cup, and neither will Kane Hekili. On the other hand, Casino Drive will be sent to Nad Al Sheba for a tilt at the world’s richest race on March 28.
Trained by Hideaki Fujiwara, Success Brocken had been beaten by Kane Hekili in both the Japan Cup and the Tokyo Daishoten of late, but this cutback to a mile was very much in his favor and against both Casino Drive and Kane Hekili. Casino Drive, winner of the Peter Pan at Belmont last psring, led briefly at the eighth pole before being hooked by Success Brocken. Kane Hekili came at them along the rail but Success Brocken and rider Hiroyuki Uchida prevailed by a neck from the 4-1 Casino Drive with the 8-5 Kane Hekili a head away in third. The time for the mile on a good dirt track was a new course record of 1:34.60.

February 23, 1993 Hall of Fame trotter Moni Maker and Hall of Fame pacer Cathedra are born.

February 24, 1991 Soft Light wins the Toronto Series final for older pacers in 1:54.2 at Greenwood Raceway in Toronto.

February 25, 1996 Mark Wight wins the Representative Series final for 3-year-old male pacers in 1:56.3 at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland.

February 26, 2000 Die Lute wins the Aquarius final in a stakes-record 1:50.2 at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

February 27, 1992 Cat Manzi gets career driving win No. 5,000 with Elrolee at the Meadowlands.

February 28, 1992 Pacing mare White Ruffles retires after in the Overbid Series at the Meadowlands.

February 29, 1992 Cool Flying Fella wins the Pompano Beach Series final in 1:55.1 at Pompano Park in Florida.

February 29, 1996 Full-Time Job wins the four-mile Enduro for older trotters in 8:41 at the Meadowlands.

March 1, 1988 Movin Along wins the Night Styles final in 1:57.1 at the Meadowlands.

Marion Gross, stallion manager at Gainesway Farm for 41 years, died Monday after a brief illness, the Lexington, Ky, farm announced Monday. He was 68.
Gross arrived at Gainesway in 1963, when the farm was owned by founder John Gaines and stood just four stallions. During his tenure, Gross oversaw the stallion roster’s expansion to as many as 50 horses in the 1980s. He counted the sires Vaguely Noble, Lyphard, Mt. Livermore, and Cozzene among the charges in which he took the most pride.

On Gross’s watch, the farm’s ownership also changed from Gaines to Graham Beck, whose son Antony now runs the operation.

“Whether he was coordinating the activities of a few stallions or dozens, Marion’s influence over the stud barn was all-encompassing and unfailing,” the farm announcement said. “He directed thousands of matings in his extraordinary career and consistently exhibited a calm mastery of the horses, for which he will be long remembered.”

Services tentatively were planned for Friday, with details still pending on Monday. Kerr Brothers in Lexington was handling arrangements.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin will send two 3-year-olds into stakes action next weekend at Gulfstream Park.

Shadwell Stables Taqarub heads into Saturdays $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and West Point Thoroughbreds and partners filly Justwhistledixie is set to run in Sundays $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2). The two companion events will be run at one mile.

Taqarub, a 3-for-3 son of Aldebaran, worked Saturday at Palm Meadows, going a bullet half-mile in 47 flat as he prepares for his first race over a track other than Aqueduct. He won the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes in his last start there Jan. 19.

Justwhistledixie, a daughter of Dixie Union, has won three straight, including the Ruthless Stakes and an overnight stakes at Aqueduct. She drilled a half-mile Sunday morning in 48 2/5 at Palm Meadows.

Both the colt and the filly have had plenty of time to acclimate to the South Florida winter. McLaughlin, a former assistant to Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, says his operation always prepares to ship into and out of any climate.

The good thing about our team in New York is we always keep the stalls heated, blankets on them and we dont let them grow thick winter coats, said McLaughlin. Theyre ready to go anywhere we need them to go.

Justwhistledixie has been quick in her sprint races and will be stretching out to a mile for the first time in the Davona Dale. McLaughlin indicated a change could be coming in her running style when she teams with Alan Garcia next Sunday.

She was quick because thats what we needed her to be at that point, he said. We used to have to really rub on her to get her to go from the gate and she eventually came around. Now shes out there with just mild urging and its better. She should be close to the pace, but I think shell be able to sit a little going a mile.

Striking Dancer Returns in Wednesday Allowance Feature

Stevestan Stables 3-year-old filly Striking Dancer was last seen finishing a game second in the Caressing Stakes on turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29, and is entered to make her 2009 debut in Wednesdays eighth race allowance feature at Gulfstream Park.

Leading rider Kent Desormeaux rides Striking Dancer for leading trainer Ken McPeek in the one mile turf test, which drew 16 3-year-old fillies with only 12 to start. Striking Dancer drew post 4.

The chestnut daughter of Smart Strike was a $110,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase. She broke her maiden by 5 3/4 lengths over the Churchill turf course prior to her good effort in the Caressing when beaten less than a length by the winner.

Other contenders likely to draw support include Bridlewood Farms Edens Storm, Rene Douglas; Dell Ridge Farms Bluegrass Princess, Alan Garcia; and Darley Stables Kiawah Cat, Jermaine Bridgmohan.

Edens Storm is a Florida homebred daughter of Stormy Atlantic and half-sister to turf stakes stars Paradise Creek and Wild Event. Trained by Christophe Clement, the chestnut broke her maiden by 8 1/4 lengths last out at Calder on Nov. 27 in her second career start.

Bluegrass Princess is a daughter of Dynaformer purchased for $285,000 as a weanling at the Keeneland November sales. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, she finished third in an overnight stakes at Belmont Park in late October in her third start and only outing on grass before finishing fifth in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) on the main track at Aqueduct on Nov. 29.

Completing the body of the field for Wednesdays feature are Jess Yawitz Never Lie, Zayat Stables Jehan, Terry Hamiltons Harmonious Union, Joseph Riccellis Bambolina, Three Diamonds Farms Seminole Lass, G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.s Direct Line, Alex Campbell, Jr.s Its My Day and Ol Memorial Stable and C.E. Glasscocks Sandis Ready.

Left on the also-eligible list were Track Ho Farms Tailbytherail, E. Paul Robsham Stables Gold Record, Thomas Conways Complicity and Michael Strausss Wild Tigress.

Einstein California-Bound for Big Cap

With Grade 1 wins on turf and Grade 1 placings on dirt, the next challenge for Midnight Cry Stables 7-year-old horse Einstein will be a synthetic surface. After working Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park, he will get that chance in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on Sat. Mar. 7.

The Brazilian-bred son of Spend a Buck is coming off a third-place effort in the Donn Handicap (G1) here on Jan. 31. Sundays work was his first since that effort when he overcame a wide post to finish in the money, 2 1/2-lengths behind winner Albertus Maximus.

He was super and really ready to work today, said trainer Helen Pitts-Blasi, who sent Einstein five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 under jockey Julien Leparoux, fastest of 27 horses timed at the distance. His last race took a lot out of him, but hes come out of it good and Julien said that he was great today.

Of Einsteins 23 career races, six wins have come in 16 grass starts, including two wins in the Gulfstream Park Turf (G1) in 2006 and 2008. He has also won three times in seven dirt races, most notably the Clark Handicap (G2) at Churchill Downs last on Nov. 28. Four of his overall nine career victories have come on wet dirt tracks or turf.

Now he gets to try Santa Anitas Pro-Ride artificial surface, and Pitts-Blasi is looking forward to the challenge.

It should be very interesting because (people say) that grass horses should like it, she said. Ive got a horse that is probably more of a grass horse than a dirt horse, but he does deal with both very well. A million dollars is enough of a reason to find out.

Einstein will leave Wednesday (Feb. 25) from West Palm Beach Airport and spend 10 days in Arcadia, Calif. Pitts-Blasi plans on working the horse over the surface once before the historic 1 1/4-miles test.

Big Drama Back to Work

Harold Queens 3-year-old Florida homebred Big Drama breezed an easy half-mile in 50 flat Sunday morning at Calder, his first workout since Jan. 18 as the colts training schedule was interrupted by a bone bruise that required surgery after kicking himself in a shin in his stall.

I was very pleased with his work this morning, said trainer David Fawkes. Its a good start, but I dont have anything in particular in mind just yet until he gets further along. The good thing about him is that hell come along quickly, so I wouldnt rule anything out at this point.

The son of Montbrook won his last five starts last year, including a sweep of the three open divisions of the Florida Stallion Stakes series at Calder and the $750,000 Delta Jackpot (G3) at Delta Downs in Louisiana on Dec. 5, earning enough in that race to virtually guarantee him a berth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) if he is up to the challenge.

Also prominent on the Calder work tab Sunday morning was Mount Joy Stables 4-year-old Florida homebred Smooth Air, who was timed seven furlongs in 1:29 for trainer Bennie Stutts Jr. as he gets ready for his next likely start in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) to be run at one mile on Sat., Mar. 14.

The son of Smooth Jazz finished a game second by a half-length last out in the Tallahassee Stakes going one mile on grass here on Feb. 7 in his first start since running a respectable seventh in the Breeders Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita on Oct. 25, beaten only 5 1/4 lengths.

Criticism led from the start and won $100,000 Grade 3 The Very One Stakes for fillies and mares at Gulfstream on Sunday.

Criticism led by two lengths at the top of the stretch and beat Dress Rehearsal by 2 1/2 lengths. Backseat Rhythm finished third in the field of 13.

Ridden by Edgar Prado, Criticism covered the 1 3-8 mile on grass in 2:15.23 and paid 6.00, 3.60 and 3.00. Dress Rehearsal returned 6.60 and 5.40, and Backseat Rhythm paid 4.40.

Criticism ran the first half mile in :51.24, six furlongs in 1:17.30, and had more than enough left through the final quarter mile.

Bred in Great Britain, the 5-year-old daughter of Machiavellian raced in France through 2007, then was shipped to the United States last year. She finished second in the Athenia Handicap and then won the Long Island Handicap, both Grade 3 events.

Although Rail Trip has been nominated to the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7, chances of the unbeaten gelding running in the mile and a quarter classic seemed extremely remote Sunday. His regular rider, Jose Valdivia Jr., has been engaged to ride Champs Elysees by Bobby Frankel in the Big Cap, a decision the Hall of Fame trainer confirmed this morning.

We nominated, but were probably not going to run, trainer Ron Ellis said of Rail Trip, who posted his fourth consecutive impressive victory last Friday, but who has never run in a stakes race. Asked about the possibility of running in the Grade II, $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 4, Ellis was non-committal.

Well see how hes doing, how the race shapes up and that kind of stuff Were definitely on the fence, Ellis said. Oaklawn might be a possibility. Weve still got to sit down (with owners Mace and Samantha Siegel), and if we skip the Santa Anita Handicap, weve got to come up with a plan of what we want to do.

The problem is, like I said before, we got out of sync with the stakes schedule here by about two weeks. We could have gone in the Strub (Stakes on Feb. 7) and then gone in the Santa Anita Handicap. But as it is now, coming back in two weeks is kind of pushing it a little bit, but well see. Hes nominated, and its not ruled out.

Asked if the plan would be predicated on eventually running in the Breeders Cup Classic at Oak Tree Nov. 7, and arranging a schedule leading to that race, Ellis said, Weve got to get him to win some stakes first, but obviously, our long-range thinking is the Breeders Cup.

In other Big Cap news:

With Joe Talamo, who has ridden San Fernando Stakes winner Nownownow in his last two races, scheduled to ride I Want Revenge for Jeff Mullins in the Grade III Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on March 7, Julien Leparoux has picked up the mount on Nownownow in either the Grade I Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita the same day, or the Big Cap.

We have a lot to consider before the races, trainer Patrick Biancone said when asked which race Nownownow would run in. Nothing is ruled out. Each race is a handicap, so we will look at the weights, who is running, and go from there.

Frankel has not ruled out running Hollywood Gold Cup winner Mast Track. Hell have one more work and then Ill decide, said the trainer, who worked Champs Elysees five furlongs on Pro-Ride Sunday in 1:00.20.

Strub Stakes winner Cowboy Cal worked five furlongs on Pro-Ride in 1:01.40 for Todd Pletcher, while Blue Exit went seven furlongs in 1:30.60 for Jerry Hollendorfer. At Hollywood Park, Tiago worked six furlongs for John Shirreffs in 1:12.40.

IMPROVING VENTANA SET FOR SATURDAYS SHAM STAKES

Bob Baffert is calling on the junior varsity for Saturdays Sham Stakes. With his leading Triple Crown contender Pioneerof the Nile ticketed for the San Felipe Stakes on March 14 prior to his major goal on the West Coast, the Santa Anita Derby on April 4, Baffert has Ventana on course for the Grade III Sham at 1 1/8 miles.

Ventana, a $410,000 son of Toccet, broke his maiden at first asking, winning last Sept. 5 at Belmont Park by 5 lengths. Since then, he has run in six consecutive stakes, finishing a creditable fourth in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs on Feb. 16, beaten only 2 lengths by the filly Evita Argentina. He actually ran better (in the San Vicente), Baffert said of Ventana. He didnt give it up. He was right there; he was steady the whole way. He just got beat.

Probable for the ninth running of the $200,000 Sham: Balfour Park, no rider; Mark S the Cooler, Corey Nakatani; Ventana, Jesus Rios; The Pamplemousse, Alex Solis; Mr. Hot Stuff, no rider; and possibly Take the Points.

PIONEEROF THE NILE WORKS FOR MARCH 14 SAN FELIPE STAKES

Leading Triple Crown contender Pioneerof the Nile worked five furlongs under Garrett Gomez on Pro-Ride Sunday in 1:00.60 for the March 14 San Felipe Stakes, the colts final major prep prior to the Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

He broke behind a group of horses and it worked out perfect, trainer Bob Baffert said. Hes right on schedule. He went out three-quarters in like 12 and four (1:12 4/5). He did it the right way.

Added Gomez, who is seeking his third consecutive national money-winning title: I thought he worked really well He accelerated very nicely and galloped out really strong. He looked very happy.

HOLY ANGELS-SANTA ANITA RIDERS PLAY FOR CHARITY THIS THURSDAY

The 42nd annual Holy Angels-Santa Anita Jockeys charity basketball game will be played this Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m., at La Salle High School in Pasadena. Proceeds benefit the Holy Angels athletic department.

Legendary Hall of Fame jockeys Eddie Delahoussaye and Laffit Pincay Jr. will serve as honorary captains, and will be available to sign autographs from 6 to 7 p.m. in the La Salle High gymnasium.

La Salle High School is located at the southwest corner of Michillinda Ave. and Sierra Madre Blvd. in Pasadena, approximately four miles from Santa Anita. Admission is $5.

FINISH LINES: With two stakes wins at Santa Anita Saturday, including a dead-heat on Bel Air Sizzle in the Valentine Dancer Handicap, Garrett Gomez has 14 stakes wins this meet and is well on course to break the meet mark for stakes wins at Santa Anita of 19, shared by Laffit Pincay Jr. (1982-83) and Corey Nakatani (1996-97) CBS SportsCentral will televise live todays San Luis Obispo Handicap at approximately 4:07 p.m . Brian Koriner, trainer of Onebadkitty, who dead-heated with Bel Air Sizzle, thought he lost the photo, despite a nightmarish trip by Bel Air Sizzle, a daughter of Unusual Heat trained by Barry Abrams. I got the worst of the bob, Koriner said. I thought I got beat. The other filly ran huge on the inside. It looked like my filly was going to kick clear and win, and here comes another Unusual Heat. Whats new? Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner and Santa Monica Handicap winner Ventura, prepping for the April 9 Vinery Madison at Keeneland, went five furlongs on Pro-Ride Sunday in a minute flat for Bobby Frankel Spots are still open in Santa Anitas Battle of the Handicapping Stars contest, which offers a $20,000 first prize. For further information, visit the tracks website at santaanita.com Two contestants remain alive entering Sundays races in Santa Anitas on line handicapping contest, ShowVivor.

Spring House held off Church Service by a half length to win the $150,000 San Luis Obispo Handicap Sunday at Santa Anita for the second straight year.

Spring House, ridden by Alex Solis, ran the 1 1/2 -miles in 2:27.26, just .05 seconds slower than last year.

He was on the bit the whole way, Solis said. And when that hole opened up in the stretch, he went though it like a bullet.

Spring House is only the second horse to win the event in back-to-back years, joining Great Communicator, who won in 1988 and 1989.

Spring House paid $15.20, $7.20 and $5.20. Church Service, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, returned $6.60 and $4. Attempted Humor, with Mike Smith atop, paid $6.60.

Trained by Julio Canani for co-breeder R. D. Hubbard, Spring House had registered a single victory in seven starts, the Grade II Del Mar Handicap, since taking last years San Luis Obispo.

I learned quite a bit about him the last two times I rode him, Solis said, but Julio has been working with him, and, in his last two works, hes figured out what he needed. Hes always had a lot of class.

The repeat was worth $90,000 for Spring House, which elevated his lifetime earnings to $838,284 from an 8-5-11 in 38 starts.

Rail Trip defeated Booyah by 1 3/4 lengths to win Fridays $58,800 feature at Santa Anita and remain undefeated in four races.

Ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., Rail Trip covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:42.11 and paid $2.20 and $2.10 for winning the four-horse field. Booyah returned $3.40.

Sometimes you wish the competition was a little tougher, but he faced some well-seasoned horses today, Valdivia said. Hes so receptive to whatever I want to do with him, its incredible. Whenever I want a gear, he can give it to me. Hes the most exciting horse Ive ever been on.

Rail Trip began his career in November and won his first three races by a combined 12 1/2 lengths. The 4-year-old gelding got a late start in racing after surgery to remove an ankle chip.

I thought he ran awesome, trainer Ron Ellis said, adding that he would consider the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7 or the $6 million Dubai World Cup on March 29 for Rail Trip.

The victory, worth $36,000, increased Rail Trips career to $114,600.

Martha Maxine rallied through the stretch to take the $87,500 Cape & Cutter by 3 lengths over Chancey Lady on Friday night, giving driver Andy Miller his second straight win in the race.

Martha Maxine finished in a career-best 1:50.4 and paid $3.80, $2.40 and $2.10. Chancey Lady paid $4.80, $3.80 and Cuz She Can returned $2.20 to show.

Miller won the 2008 Cape & Cutter Final for open pacing mares with Street Dancer, trained by his wife, Julie Miller. This time he was in the sulky for his older brother, Erv Miller.

Yellow Diamond got her first career win in the co-featured $76,000 Tender Loving Care Final for 3-year-old fillies. Driven by David Miller, Yellow Diamond romped to a nine-length win in a stakes-record 1:51.3. She paid $7.40 in her third career start.