Bongiorno ban reversed

Update: John Berry initially reported that the Bongiornos had been banned pending investigation by The Meadowlands earlier today. At 9:59 p.m. EDT, the track sent out the release below stating that the investigation has been completed with no findings of wrongdoing. The original article is included.

East Rutherford, NJ – The Meadowlands, in response to customer complaints and concerns over the low Daily Double payoff in races 13 & 14 last Saturday (May 20) evening, chose to exclude Joe Bongiorno and Nicole Di Costanzo, both of whom drove in the race in question, from driving and the Jenn Bongiorno and Nicole Di Costanzo stables from entering harness racing horses while an investigation was conducted on the matter.

Management received several complaints about the short return of $21.20 for a $2 wager on Saturday’s Late Double (races 13 & 14) when a $2 bet on the 14th race winner, Lyons Pride driven by Ms. Di Costanzo, returned $31. Mr. Bongiorno drove the 6-5 race favorite, JK Standingovation, to a 6th place finish in the 14th race.

In response to the complaints and in an effort to provide the level of integrity that gives the customer confidence, an investigation into betting patterns was conducted by examining information provided by tote on wagers placed on those races both on site and remotely, including some bets that were cancelled.

The findings were that an unusually low priced winner in the 13th race ($2.20 win) skewed the payoffs with wagering on the 14th race winner, Lyons Pride, consistent as the 4th favorite in both the win and Late Double pools.

The investigation was concluded revealing no wagering irregularities. As a result, the affected parties are welcome to participate beginning on Saturday, May 27.

From The Meadowlands

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May 24, 2023…It has been reported that driver Joe Bongiorno and trainer Jennifer Bongiorno have been banned from harness racing at The Meadowlands.

Nicole Dicostanzo has also been barred from competing pending completion of an investigation into the 14th race on Saturday, May 20.

According to management at the famed one mile oval, the ban is the result of the outcome of the 14th race on Saturday, May 20, 2023, when Lyons Pride, driven by Dicostanzo, starting from the outside 10 post, won the event in 1:51.2—this after grinding the winner to the front after the opening :27.4 quarter and reaching the half in :56—holding off second choice Aussie Hanover, driven by Andrew McCarthy, by a neck.

The winner paid $31.00 with the $2.00 daily double returning only $21.20.

Suspicion arose when the 6 to 5 favorite, JK Standingovation, driven by Joe Bongiorno, abandoned his tactics of last week, when he showed speed off the gate, and landed mid-pack early this week showing little thereafter during the remainder of the route.

RACE REPLAY

Upon further investigation, the decision to ban the Bongiorno team and Dicostanzo was made by Jeff Gural.

“The situation is under ‘investigation’ and I promise to comment one way or the other once I receive word,” said Jenn Bongiorno.

Joe Bongiorno tweeted that he will be racing Saturday and said the situation “is sorted.”

Haters get your minute of joy on my setback, the truth will be released shortly. #Seeya’llSaturday #Fakenews

— Joe Bongiorno (@BongiornoRacing) May 24, 2023

Thank you it already is sorted. I’ll be racing Saturday night

— Joe Bongiorno (@BongiornoRacing) May 24, 2023

Update 1 at 3:40 p.m. EDT: Nicole Dicostanzo was also banned in connection with the 14th race on May 20.

Update 2 at 3:44 p.m. EDT: Jenn Bongiorno’s comment added.

Update 3 at 9:10 p.m. EDT: Joe Bongiorno’s tweets added.

Update 4 at 9:59 p.m. EDT: Story updated to reflect investigation completion.

by John Berry, for Harnesslink