does any one hear remember this infamous 1989 contest with the 100k first prize where 4 guys from NY won the contest with a $8k show bet on a 50-1 shot to influence the mythical payoffs?
Yes. They manipulated the show pool if I remember correctly. The following year the rules were changed capping payouts in the contest. I think that they won first, second and fourth places that year.
Just wondering why you brought this up now? I think that they took fourth also. Not the first time that a contest was hit by "wiseguys". Please feel free to post any horse related questions and I'll try my best to get them answered.