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SPORTS Tuesday 10 March 2020
Trainers, vets, others charged in racehorse-drugging scheme

By STEPHEN WHYNO ing drugs to "virtually all the
AP Sports Writer racehorses under his con-
More than two dozen peo- trol." He entered horses in
ple, including the trainer of races approximately 1,082
champion Maximum Secu- times from 2018 through
rity, were charged in what February 2020, according
authorities described Mon- to authorities.
day as a widespread inter- "The charges in this indict-
national scheme to drug ment result from a wide-
horses to make them race spread, corrupt scheme
faster. by racehorse trainers, vet-
Trainer Jason Servis, erinarians, PED (perfor-
whose stable includes the mance-enhancing drug)
3-year-old champion, was distributors and others to
charged with administering manufacture, distribute
performance-enhancing and receive adulterated
drugs to that horse and and misbranded PEDs and
others. Maximum Security to secretly administer those
crossed the finish line first PEDs to racehorses under
at the 2019 Kentucky Derby scheme participants' con-
before being disqualified trol," an indictment reads.
for interference and has Prosecutors noted in indict-
since won four of his five ments that professional
high-profile races. In this May 3, 2019, file photo, trainer Jason Servis is seen at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. horse racing is a $100 billion
The charges against train- Associated Press industry followed by millions
ers, veterinarians and others in the scheme continued to Federal authorities Racecourse and Laurel of fans worldwide, leading
were detailed in four indict- line their purses as they ma- searched barns in Florida Park in Maryland, was not racehorses to sell at auc-
ments unveiled Monday in nipulated this multibillion- and a manufacturing fa- charged. There is no evi- tion for well over $1 million.
Manhattan federal court. dollar horse racing industry cility in Kentucky. The Stro- dence these charges have "A sad day for racing but a
Charges brought against across the globe." nach Group, which oper- any connection to race- long time coming," trainer
the 27 people include drug Authorities say the drugs ates Gulfstream Park West horse deaths at Santa Ani- Graham Motion tweeted.
adulteration and misbrand- can cause horses to over- and Palm Meadows Train- ta in 2019. "A good day for those who
ing conspiracy. exert themselves, leading ing Center in Florida, said In the indictment, Ser- try to play by the rules, we
Performance-enhancing to heart issues or death. it complied with the search vis is charged with giv- will all be better for it."
drugs "were given to race- According to the indict- warrants specific only to ing Maximum Security a According to the indict-
horses in an effort to in- ments, other drugs used to the barns and stalls of those performance-enhancing ments, marketers and dis-
crease their performance deaden a horse's sensitiv- charged. drug called SGF-1000, rec- tributors of drugs known as
beyond their natural abili- ity to pain to improve the "The Stronach Group is ommending it to another "blood builders" to stimulate
ties," William F. Sweeney Jr., horse's performance could committed to achieving trainer, and conspiring with a horse's endurance have
assistant director in charge also lead to leg fractures. the highest level of horse a veterinarian to make it infiltrated the horse racing
of the FBI New York Office, Authorities said participants care and safety standards look like a false positive industry for at least the last
said at a news conference. in the fraud — affecting in thoroughbred racing," for another substance. The decade.
"What actually happened races in New York, New Jer- the company said in a other trainer, Jorge Na- One of Navarro's horses, X
to the horses amounted to sey, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky statement. "There is no varro, is also among those Y Jet, who is named in one
nothing less than abuse. and the United Arab Emir- room in our sport for any- charged. of the indictments as a re-
They experienced cardiac ates — misled federal and one who does not prioritize Maximum Security on Feb. cipient of performance-
issues, overexertion leading state regulators, U.S. Cus- the health and well-being 29 won the world's richest enhancing drugs, was re-
to leg fractures, increased toms and Border Protection of horses and riders." race, the $10 million Saudi sponsible for over $3 million
risk of injury, and, in some agents, various state horse The group, which also op- Cup. in winnings and died of an
cases, death. Conversely, racing regulators and the erates Santa Anita Park Servis is alleged to have giv- apparent heart attack in
the human being involved betting public. in California and Pimlico en performance-enhanc- January. q

AP Sources: Bills agree to sign cornerback Josh Norman

By JOHN WAWROW deal. Norman is an eighth- mott was the Panthers de- cornerback Kevin Johnson games and understood his
AP Sports Writer year player who spent the fensive coordinator during eligible to become an un- time with Washington was
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Two past four seasons in Wash- Norman’s first four NFL sea- restricted free agent next coming to an end after
people with knowledge of ington before being re- sons in Carolina. Norman week. sitting out the team’s final
the decision told The Asso- leased last month. is also a known commod- Norman enjoyed his best four games.
ciated Press that veteran He struggled to play to ity to Bills general man- season under McDermott “You’ve got to put it on
cornerback Josh Norman high expectations and ager Brandon Beane, who in 2015 on a Panthers de- yourself as a person to be
has agreed to sign a one- was cut with one season worked in the Panthers’ fense that led the league better within what is hap-
year contract with the Buf- left on a five-year $75 mil- front office at the same with 24 interceptions. He pening, and I wasn’t,” Nor-
falo Bills. lion contract he signed in time. had a career-best four in- man said on locker clean-
The people spoke to The free agency in 2016. Norman will be given an terceptions and returned out day. “I can accept
AP on Monday on the In Buffalo, the 32-year-old opportunity to compete two for touchdowns to that.”
condition of anonymity Norman gets an opportu- with Levi Wallace for earn his first and only All- Upon being released, he
because the signing has nity for a fresh start among the starting job opposite Pro honor. posted a note on his Twit-
not been announced. NFL familiar faces. Tre’Davious White. He also Last season, Norman ter account saying he was
Network first reported the Bills coach Sean McDer- fills a potential need with had only eight starts in 12 “grateful for everything.”q