Delaware man takes reins of horse racing investigations: Delaware.newszap.com 3/28/15

RMTC

By Craig Anderson

STANTON — John F. Wayne has an office at Delaware Park, and an eye on national issues involving the upkeep of horse racing’s integrity.

Now, he’ll officially lead the national Organization of Racing Investigators, dedicated to purging any wrongdoing in the sport and industry.

“We meet and network with each other to bridge jurisdictions and share information,” Mr. Wayne said. “The important part is to weed out troublemakers in the sport.

“Someone who gives you a black eye in one jurisdiction leaves a bruise in other jurisdictions.”

Mr. Wayne has served as the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission’s executive director since 1999, and tabbed DTRC inspector Francis J. Swift as the ORI secretary.

Delaware Park will host the next ORI annual conference in March 2016, which brings together investigators from across North America.

The chief way to keep up horse racing’s integrity is through, “Maintaining honesty in the sport — making sure that information is accurate, ownership, transfers, claiming of horses, drug testing are up to standards,” Mr. Wayne said.

“Employing best management practices at every level of the racing program (is critical).”

The way to do that is “By taking your job seriously and paying attention to details,” Mr. Wayne said.

“Sometimes little problems become larger when they are overlooked.”

Detecting malfeasance, improper behavior and/or lack of integrity is tougher than ever these days, Mr. Wayne said.

“But most of the time investigations occur as a reaction to some suspicious activity,” he said.

“Occasionally we are able to develop information either by confidential informants or by hunch that skulduggery may be present. The wagering security services that are being used by the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau are very helpful in identifying specific wagering anomalies.”

While better laboratory forensic drug testing and technology-driven monitoring of wagering by the TRPB have assisted in monitoring integrity issues, “you still need the boots on the ground to do the leg work of an investigation,” Mr. Wayne said.

Assuring that there is integrity within the horse racing industry is critical in keeping the public engaged with the sport.

“Ensuring the public confidence in your product (is a great value),” Mr. Wayne said. “Making sure that races are run legitimately (is important).

“If we lose this, we have failed our customers and the honest horsemen that represent the majority of our participants.”

Overseeing the DTRC, Mr. Wayne and staff work to assure horses at a track are properly cared for, monitor safety issues for horses and jockeys, and conduct pre- and post-drug testing related to races, among other oversight.

“There’s always something to do, there’s always something to look into,” he said.

Mr. Wayne spent 15 years with the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, traveling nationwide to 28 tracks of all sizes and learning more of their racing operations.

In the early 1980s, Mr. Wayne was assigned to heading Kentucky Derby and Kentucky racing circuit security, and then became agent in charge/director of security at Santa Anita Race Track in California. A stint as assistant general manager and director of operations at Atlantic City Racing Course followed for nine years before coming to Delaware.

During his career, Mr. Wayne received accolades from FBI Director William Webster for assisting in the conviction of seven persons in a federal racketeering case, and was the 2003 Len Foote Award winner from executive directors in the horse racing industry.

Delaware Department of Agriculture Ed Kee said Mr. Wayne has been vital in upholding standards related to horse racing in the First State, and his appointment to the national investigative organization is fitting.

“Delaware has long been a leader in upholding the integrity of racing and maintaining the public’s trust,” he said. “John Wayne’s recent selection to lead the Organization of Racing Investigators is a testament to his dedication to that mission.

“John’s 44 years in racing and 16 years as executive director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission have given our state the benefit of his wealth of experience working to ensure fairness in decisions and operations.”

Staff writer Craig Anderson can be reached at 741-8296 or canderson@newszap.com. Follow @DSNAnderson on Twitter.