Monmouth Park head Drazin asks legislature to establish ontrack pharmacy

Dennis Drazin, the chief executive officer of the company that runs Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., said in a statement released on Monday that he has asked the New Jersey Legislature to pass a bill that would prohibit the possession of any medications on track grounds unless that medication was obtained at a pharmacy located at the track, among other policies.

The statement was released one week after the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York unsealed indictments alleging a widespread scheme to manufacture, distribute, and administer illegal medications to racehorses. One of the trainers named in the indictment and charged with one count of “misbranding conspiracy” was Jason Servis, who had been employed as a trainer by Drazin for years.

In the statement, Drazin said that he had asked the legislature to include in the bill reforms that would include racetrack safety inspections, changes in rules that govern the use of the whip, requirements to share veterinary bills “amongst interested parties,” and increased pre-race veterinary examinations.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

He also said the bill should contain a provision that would allow the New Jersey Racing Commission to “contact the United States Anti-Doping Agency or any other drug-testing agency or laboratory of their recommendation to retain their services for the immediate control of our drug testing.” USADA, a private, non-profit company, is the official drug-testing enforcement agency for the U.S. Olympic Team.

“Regarding the indictments, if proven, they threaten the very integrity of our sport and must be seriously addressed,” the statement read. “We can have no tolerance for those who cheat or try to take an illegal edge.”

Drazin also said that Monmouth Park plans to form a committee that will screen horses prior to entry and prior to the track granting stalls, and that the track plans to add a safety and medical director.

Drazin said the horses he had with Servis have been moved to Pat McBurney.