Hawthorne not cashing checks?

[fuzzypants]

Speaking from only my own personal experience.
For a couple summers I traveled from track to track with a stakes colt.
Traveled with the horse in a  nine horse van.
Lived in the shed row or tack room.
A different city and track every ten days or so.
It would have been near impossible to cash a check without the tracks help.

I totally agree with you and I must tell you I have never been to one track in California that refuse to cash a check for me.
Many times horsemen are racing from State to State so I just cant imagine a race track not willing to cash a check for a horsemen or employee if they work or are stabled their. Seem strange that a track would issue a check and then not be willing to honor it.
Its like signing a contractor and then you find out the guys signature is as worthless as his word.

[Jim Miller]

Interesting post since I sat up on the first floor authorizing checks for backstretch employees to be cashed for nearly three hours on Friday! During the dark period, our facility is run more as an off track betting site than a live racing operation, meaning we carry much less money in our money room because there is less being wagered.  In addition, Hawthorne is charged a fee by the back for every single check that we cash. For those that have been around the track fo some time, you will know that this cost can add up very quickly.

We are cashing checks each Friday during the dark time for backstretch employees, the same protocol that has been in place for years. What we are doing is encouraging employees, patrons, and local trainers that have bank accounts to use their bank.

We are under no obligation to cash any checks at all, it is a service offered at our expense.

[Fast n Firm]

I must have gotten bad info...I was told this started closing day (Dec. 31st) of the live race meet.

[Horse Voice]

I must have gotten bad info...I was told this started closing day (Dec. 31st) of the live race meet.

I wish you could tell us who told you this, so we can figure out whether it was an honest error, or whether it was just some Fox News-style malicious gossip.

[Jim Miller]

Fast n Firm, The person that told you we did not cash checks on closing day was correct. Actually, we didn't cash them the final few days of racing.  The reason they were not being cashed then was due to our changing banks and that banks have a 7 day hold on all checks deposited.  There was a sign along with a person at the information window to notify employees of this, along with stating that we would be authorizing checks for backstretch again on Friday the 7th.

So your initial information was correct, but maybe the reasoning behind it was not relayed to you.

[BeauNarro]

I've never had any problems with Hawthorne cashing checks for me - even personal checks that either Tom Senior, Packy or now John Demmy (sic), but I do understand Jim Millers explanation of what's happening now. There are literally hundreds of employees and Horsemen that cash checks weekly during live racing, and it would be a HUGE burden to do so during the dark time.

[Fast n Firm]

Had no idea that this was such a costly practice to the tracks.  Thanks for clarifying.

[pamwaggy]

Really nice of Jim Miller to take the time to explain everything. 

[HarnessFanDE]

Trainers cash checks at the track and in turn pay their help.  Jockey's cash checks at the track and in turn pay their valets and agents. 
       

Every trainer I know pays their help with a check, unless he is hiring illegals to work for him and if he is why should the track facilitate him breaking the law? Jockeys pay their agents and valets in cash? I would doubt that would be the "normal" practice but I might be wrong..... I would assume a jockey would want some record of what he pays the valet and the agent so he can write if off his/her taxes.....maybe I'm wrong