Horseracing’s finest (all emphases mine):
Northfield Park, Aug 9: “Russell Thomas falsified his 2025 license application by failing to list his prior arrest record. Mr. Thomas waived his right to a hearing and is hereby fined $500.” But: “The penalty will be reduced to $250 if not appealed.”
Harrington Raceway, Sep 10: “Ross Shand did fail an oral drug test and was issued a $250 fine and a 5-day driving suspension.”
Hoosier Park, Sep 23: “Cristian Pacheco appeared in the paddock in an unfit condition to drive prior to the races. For this violation, Mr. Pacheco is fined $200.” They add: “Mr. Pacheco waived his right to a hearing and accepted the penalty.” Of course he did.
Harrington Raceway, Sep 24: “Rodney Long is issued a $1,000 fine for refusing to take the oral swab drug test.”
Dayton Raceway, Sep 25: “Luke Ebersole failed to report for the breathalyzer analysis prior to driving in races 11 and 13. Mr. Ebersole is fined $1,000 and given a 10-day suspension.” But: “The penalty will be reduced to just the fine of if not appealed.”
This is the reality of the backside of most tracks. The substance abuse and use issues are very prevalent.
They’re all criminals for treating horses so creully!
Smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, doing dope (illegal street drugs), and gambling are all considered to be “vices” as a rule.
Jerking a horse around by the mouth with the bit and all is Animal Cruelty not to mention all of the other cruelties involved in the way so many people handle the horses.
Cheating, fixing the outcome of the races, Animal Cruelty, outright ABUSE of horses, substance ABUSE, breaking the rules, DOPING horses, breaking horses’ bones; it’s all there in this industry.
Wanda, at our old track, Portland Meadows, We were some of the very few clean people handling & riding the horses! Always will remember the announcement of ” Tomorrow test day everyone be clean” given over the backside PA system! We knew of several trainers that drank beer for breakfast! Other riders would smoke while galloping horses. PM was full of illegal stuff going on. We saw it 1st hand & as time went on it seemed to get worse.
Why are these people abusing drugs and alcohol still allowed to have a license to be around horses?
They all should be suspended indefinitely and ordered to go through a substance abuse program such as Alcoholics Anonymous and whatever drug treatment programs are available for drug addicts.