Jason Servos, Navarro, 27 others investigated

[Mylute]

The absolute state of New Jersey:

Meadowlands has announced they will allow an owner who testified under oath that they bought PEDs from Fishman to run horses there.

[BaroqueAgain1]

IMHO, it's not just a New Jersey problem, and I have to wonder if it says more about the state of horse racing in the US. With fewer horses and probably fewer owners, aren't a lot of tracks having problems filling races? Do they have to make the uncomfortable choice between banning certain trainers...or having enough racing stock to stay in business?

[Mylute]

IMHO, it's not just a New Jersey problem, and I have to wonder if it says more about the state of horse racing in the US. With fewer horses and probably fewer owners, aren't a lot of tracks having problems filling races? Do they have to make the uncomfortable choice between banning certain trainers...or having enough racing stock to stay in business?

I'm not so sure about "a lot" of tracks having that problem. I thought the issue with filling races was more of a California-Santa Anita thing. Full fields are common in most tracks.

[Curtis]

IMHO, it's not just a New Jersey problem, and I have to wonder if it says more about the state of horse racing in the US. With fewer horses and probably fewer owners, aren't a lot of tracks having problems filling races? Do they have to make the uncomfortable choice between banning certain trainers...or having enough racing stock to stay in business?

I'm not so sure about "a lot" of tracks having that problem. I thought the issue with filling races was more of a California-Santa Anita thing. Full fields are common in most tracks.

What do you consider full? At most tracks 12 is the limit, it varies for different distances and "rails out" on the turf but 12 is a common number of entrants in a full field. You're finding this at most tracks?

[stark]

IMHO, it's not just a New Jersey problem, and I have to wonder if it says more about the state of horse racing in the US. With fewer horses and probably fewer owners, aren't a lot of tracks having problems filling races? Do they have to make the uncomfortable choice between banning certain trainers...or having enough racing stock to stay in business?

I'm not so sure about "a lot" of tracks having that problem. I thought the issue with filling races was more of a California-Santa Anita thing. Full fields are common in most tracks.

What do you consider full? At most tracks 12 is the limit, it varies for different distances and "rails out" on the turf but 12 is a common number of entrants in a full field. You're finding this at most tracks?

There's lots of nickel claimers that don't get to run in So.Cal.

[Curtis]

I'm not so sure about "a lot" of tracks having that problem. I thought the issue with filling races was more of a California-Santa Anita thing. Full fields are common in most tracks.

What do you consider full? At most tracks 12 is the limit, it varies for different distances and "rails out" on the turf but 12 is a common number of entrants in a full field. You're finding this at most tracks?

There's lots of nickel claimers that don't get to run in So.Cal.

You’re right. They do get to run up here at Emerald Downs and I still see a lot of 5-6 horse fields. I started laughing last summer when some people behind me complained that a race with an 8 horse field was unbettable because there were “too many horses.” Everything in context, I guess.

[Flanders]

They released Fishman's client list and did say that it doesn't mean all the people on the list were buying illegal products as he had a vet license so could sell normal medications. There are a lot of names. I wish they gave a time line but its obvious some are from awhile ago, as Paraneck Stallions is on the list (Ernie Paragallo was arrested for animal cruelty and had his Jockey Club privileges suspended in 2009).
https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/ ... ent-lists/

[Squeaky]

Article on Paulick from Times Union in Albany saying drug testing down 20% in NY due to lack of funds, and can only test for 3 out of 80 forms of EPO, and that head of lab had never heard of some of the compounds revealed in Navarro testimony ( meaning they are not being tested for).

[Starine]

Trainer Marcos Zulueta Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... -in-prison

Jason Servis' Trial Postponed to Early 2023
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... early-2023

[stark]

from DRF.....

Police in France and two other European countries on Tuesday took 27 people people involved in horse racing into custody in an investigation centered on the use of illegal substances, according to multiple media reports.

According to the reports, the individuals arrested included vets, pharmacists, and trainers, including two Standardbred trainers and one Thoroughbred trainer. While 25 of the arrests occurred in France, one person was taken into custody in Spain, and another person was “interviewed” in a third country in Europe, the reports said.

The description of the investigation parallels that of one in the U.S. that resulted in 27 people involved in Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing being arrested and indicted in 2020 on charges of administering, distributing, or manufacturing illegal substances. That investigation has so far resulted in multiple guilty pleas, including from trainer Jorge Navarro, along with one guilty verdict in a jury trial.

The prosecutor’s office for Bourdeaux, a region in France, said that the investigation focused on “national and international networks of doping products in the equestrian world.”

[thinair]

You mean they aren't necessarily clean over in Europe???? I feel so disillusioned!

[Curtis]

You mean they aren't necessarily clean over in Europe???? I feel so disillusioned!

From someone who has worked towards perfecting the art of sardonic impudence, I applaud you.

[Northport]

David Cottin was one of the trainers apprehended. He’s probably the best jumps trainer in France, it’s a huge bombshell.

Between this and the mass arrests of the Rossis and their associates, I am so intrigued to see what shakes out in the next couple months.

[Flanders]

Fishman gets 11 years
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... -in-prison

[WarBiscuit]

Fishman gets 11 years
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... -in-prison

That's pretty stiff. I like it. Sets a nice little example for nitwits across the land. I'm thinking Servis might want to head for South America...

WarBiscuit

[brunanas]

Fishman gets 11 years
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... -in-prison

i'd totally support it if they gave these guys a few daily injections with whatever they so liked to sell and give their horses

[Flanders]

Jason Servis has a change of plea hearing on Friday, where he is expected to plead guilty.

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/j ... or-friday/

[barbaro111]

Jason Servis has a change of plea hearing on Friday, where he is expected to plead guilty.

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/j ... or-friday/

Hope he gets 20 years- I feel badly for Maximum Security who is lucky he was not maimed or dead from all the drugs he ingested

[Flanders]

Jason Servis has a change of plea hearing on Friday, where he is expected to plead guilty.

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/j ... or-friday/

Hope he gets 20 years- I feel badly for Maximum Security who is lucky he was not maimed or dead from all the drugs he ingested

The most he can get is 4 years because of the plea deal he made.

A discussion about Maximum Security was held in the courtroom, with Servis not challenging the accusation that he gave the horse the drug. He said he was under the belief that it was okay to use in consultation with his veterinarian.

I wonder with him finally admitting he gave Maximum Security illegal drugs if he will be DQ'd from the Saudi Cup win and Midnight Bisou elevated. Saudi Arabia's rules are any horse given an illegal drug in their life is DQ'd.

[Ziggypop]

This is infuriating, “ Other counts were dismissed that could have led to a significantly longer sentence for Servis.” He deserves more time.