Local racehorse tested positive for meth; activists want trainer’s license revoked

Melissa Reid
·2 min read

CLEVELAND – (WJW) – A local racehorse tests positive for meth and now animal rights activists are calling for the harness trainer’s license to be revoked.

The horse named Gardy’s Legacy tested positive for methamphetamine after a race at MGM Northfield Park back on Sept. 3.

According to the U.S. Trotting Association, a blood sample was collected from the horse shortly after winning the first race of the day.

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Documents on the U.S. Trotting Association’s website showed that the Ohio State Racing Commission suspended harness trainer Samuel Schillaci for one year and ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine.

“Back when I raced and trained horses, the drug issue didn’t exist. The drug issue started coming about in the 1980s and it’s gotten out of control,” said Freddie Hudson, CEO of the U.S. Harness
Racing Alumni Association.

Hudson said this is not the first time he’s heard of cases like this.

“There are a lot of therapeutic medications but the illegal medications need to go. And the people that use the illegal drugs should be getting lifetime suspensions, not little slaps on the wrist,” said Hudson.

FOX 8 reached out to the Ohio State Racing Commission, who released a statement saying, “The judges gave the maximum penalty allowed by law. Statutorily, the maximum that a judge can issue is a $1,000 fine and a one year suspension.”

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The punishment is not enough for PETA.

“We have seen in the horse racing industry that trainers and vets will resort to just about anything if they think it will give them an edge in the race,” said PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo.

Monday, the group sent a letter to the commission demanding the trainers license be revoked.

“That means when a horse tests positive for meth or any other illegal chemical, that trainer should be suspended for life. And that means a license revocation. There’s no room in horse racing for people who break the rule even one time. There should be no second chance for anyone who would give a horse methamphetamine,” said Guillermo.

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