A few recent harness rulings:
Northfield, Jun 22: “During a search of Barn D, three needles attached to syringes were found in the tack room assigned to trainer Keith Kash Jr. [Kash] is hereby fined $1,000 and suspended 365 days.” Kash, by the way, has appealed. (Other Kash appearances on our site, including whipping his horse “after it refused the starting gate.”)
Same track, same day: “During a search of Barn D, a catheter needle was found in the tack room assigned to trainer Kerry Merriman. [Merriman] is hereby fined $1,000 and suspended 365 days. If this ruling is not appealed, the penalty will be reduced to $1,000 and 180 days.” No word on whether she has appealed.
Ocean, Jun 28: “Trainer Jamie Bozman was randomly selected for breathalyzer testing. After taking an initial test and a second confirmatory test, both results showed a blood alcohol concentration that exceeded the limit permitted under Commission regulations. Ms. Bozman is hereby fined $500.”
A drunk female at the track – that’s a new one. Also, why is any amount of alcohol permitted for the people directly responsible for the horses?
And among the many excessive-whipping violations, these:
Running Aces, Jul 2: “Judges received pictures from test barn which showed welts on the horse Norabelle. Driver Josiah Miller is hereby fined $500 and issued a 5-day suspension.” That suspension, by the way, will not start till Jul 14, which allowed Miller to whip Norabelle in a race on Thursday. But that’s not all: “This is Josiah Miller’s 2nd offense of this nature in 2026 at Running Aces.” When was the first? Jun 2. They let this scumbag off with a wrist-slap, and he does it again. Two horses welted, same track, 30 days apart.
Hoosier, Jul 3: “The test barn reported possible welts on winner Ardens Ace N…confirmed by investigators. Driver Kevin Lambright fined $200 for violation of whipping rules.” What’s a few welts if the horse “wins”?
And: David Lake was fined $300 at Nothfield Jul 3 for “kicking a horse.” (Of course, this is not the first time Lake has abused.)
Back to the flat tracks:
At Canterbury Jul 2: “The Stewards posted the Inquiry Sign following the 3rd race. The film reflects ‘Kvnferrarigirl’ was fractious and unseated John Jude before the start. The jockey remounted and the horse charged the gate at the start; the rider leaned to the right and pulled on the left rein, causing the horse to duck to the left thereby unseating him. The horse was determined to be a starter, as he caused his own problem.”
Yes, “the horse,” just three, “caused his [sic: the him is actually a her, but why would they care about that] own problem.” Vile.
