Parx Race Course Contaband Seizures Rock Native Horse Racing

A Pennsylvania Horse Racing Fee official shook up the usually staid PHRC assembly Tuesday with a startling report of a considerable amount of contraband materials seized from barn and racing workplaces at Parx Racing.

Tom Chuckas, the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Bureau director, stated “a major quantity of contraband” was found at Parx Racecourse throughout a raid on the backstretch space final weekend.

His report lasted simply 80 seconds, and Chuckas didn’t take questions. He oversees thoroughbred horse racing and wagering within the Commonwealth.

The report by Chuckas was delivered throughout a live-streamed digital assembly of the board, which continues to be assembly remotely resulting from virus restrictions.

Contraband shining a vital gentle on Parx

However two activist veterinarians, Bryan Langlois and Kathryn Rapp, vital of Pennsylvania’s oversight, took to social media with Chuckas’ report quickly afterward. Racing business publications quickly adopted up.

Rapp, from Harrisburg, referred to Parx as a “cesspool” when she posted a video clip of the assembly and the report.

Scant particulars from the Parx contraband report

Chuckas instructed the board:

“We went by the barn space and the tack rooms. We did six complete barn searches, six tack room searches. Along with that we checked out 5 grooms’ quarters and 5 exterior tack rooms and 66 out-of-competition checks have been carried out.

“In our enforcement motion I can say with out stepping into an excessive amount of element, a major quantity of contraband was found, coping with drugs, unlabeled compounded or expired. I remorse to say that they have been contraband objects that haven’t any enterprise on the bottom with needles and syringes and another issues that we found.”

Chuckas additionally instructed the board he couldn’t present deep particulars as a result of the investigation is ongoing. He added it could quickly increase to different amenities. He additionally oversees racing at Presque Isle Downs and Penn Nationwide at Hollywood On line casino. 

Chuckas indicated oversight monitoring had dropped off resulting from COVID-19 restrictions however is resuming.

“However the reality of the matter is Parx was step one on this means of going again to our actions that we have been conducting pre-COVID and transferring ahead I feel it’s truthful to say that the opposite tracks will obtain the identical enforcement motion.”

Chairman of Racing Fee Russell Redding has not commented on contraband

PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, chairman of the fee, nodded as Chuckas concluded his report. However Redding didn’t remark then. PlayPennsylvania has sought remark. There isn’t any response but.

Parx has not made a press release. The course was onerous hit by the virus.

Fee member weighed in

A racing commissioner, Russell Jones, who took half within the assembly, spoke to Thoroughbred Day by day Information:

“No names got to us however I do know they discovered loads of (expletive). “They discovered loads of proof, syringes, no matter you name that stuff. No matter it’s they discovered, loads of stuff that you simply would possibly assume is incriminating.”

Racing runs Monday to Wednesday at 12:55 p.m. on the observe in suburban Philly adjoining to Parx on line casino.

On Tuesday, there have been 25 scratches, together with 9 scratches ordered by stewards. A number of mounts have the identical two trainers.

The put up Parx Race Course Contaband Seizures Rock Native Horse Racing appeared first on Play Pennsylvania.