The Big Exacta

Over four days in October 1970, a group set out to rig the exacta bets at a Pennsylvania racetrack, where bettors must pick the first two finishers. Prosecutors said jockeys riding the favourites were paid $200 to $500 each to make sure their horses did not finish in the top two, while the group bought every exacta combination except those involving the bribed horses, collecting more than $90,000. One man was accused of advancing $5,000 to finance the venture, attending meetings at the track and helping negotiate the bribes. The main witness was a co-conspirator, and two jockeys said he was present when bribes were discussed. The defence argued the chief witness was biased and would frame others to stay out of jail.