Racing authorities look into Zayat's loans to bookmakers

Kentucky racing regulators are scrutinizing Thoroughbred owner Ahmed Zayat's connection to two brothers, Michael and Jeffrey Jelinsky, who pleaded guilty last year to illegal bookmaking and money laundering in Las Vegas.

"We're looking into the relationship," said Marc A. Guilfoil, deputy commissioner of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Zayat's horse Eskendereya is a top contender for the Kentucky Derby this year.

According to financial documents filed in his bankruptcy case in New Jersey, Zayat lent $657,500 to members of the Jelinsky family from November 2006 to February 2008. Zayat told The New York Times the money is not owed to him from gambling but from personal loans made to the brothers because he was a friend of their father.

The Jelinsky brothers pleaded guilty in February 2009 to operating an illegal gambling business using offshore race books as well as casino race books in Las Vegas from 2005 to August 2007.

The brothers forfeited nearly $5 million and were sentenced to federal prison.

Several states, including Kentucky, prohibit licensed Thoroughbred owners from associating with convicted felons or known bookmakers.

Cash grain

Corn Soybeans Wheat

Central Ky. 3.09-3.70 9.02-9.45 3.68

Louisville 3.63 9.51 4.19

Cumberland 2.97 8.60 ----

Ohio Valley 3.68-3.82 9.61-9.744.14-4.60

Cattle markets

All reports are yesterday's markets. Information is provided by Federal-State Market News Service. Price trends are compared with last sale.

Bluegrass Okla. City

CATTLE

Receipts 2,286 12,765

SLAUGHTER COWS

Price trend 2-down stdy-2 dn

Breakers 42-50 49-57

Boners 43-52 47-57

High Yield 25-57 52-61

Lean 41-49 44-51

SLAUGHTER BULLS

Price trend stdy-weak stdy-3 up

Yield grade 1-2 54-64 67-77

FEEDER STEERS

(Medium No. 1)

Price trend stdy-firm 1-4 up

300-400 lbs. 112-127 141-152

400-500 lbs. 112-123 122-137

500-600 lbs. 108-118 113-126

600-700 lbs. 99-110 101-115

700-800 lbs. 93-101 96-105

800-900 lbs. 88-93 92-98

900-1,000 lbs. 85-91 88-95

HOLSTEINS

(Large Frame No. 2)

Price trend lite test no test

300-400 lbs. --- ---

400-500 lbs. --- ---

500-600 lbs. --- ---

600-700 lbs. 73 ---

700-800 lbs. --- ---

800-900 lbs. --- ---

FEEDER HEIFERS

(Medium No. 1)

Price trend 1-3 down stdy-2 dn

300-400 lbs. 100-107 116-124 400-500 lbs. 98-104 108-117

500-600 lbs. 91-100 102-110

600-700 lbs. 85-96 94-104

700-800 lbs. 84-90 90-99

PER HEAD

STOCK COWS 380-630 600-930

COWS W/CALVES --- 640-985

STOCK BULLS --- ---

CALVES 240 ---

This story was originally published March 2, 2010 at 10:00 PM with the headline "Racing authorities look into Zayat's loans to bookmakers."