Following a recent FBI investigation which resulted in the indictments of harness trainers Rick Dane Jr., Nick Surick, Conor Flynn, and Chris Oakes, Hawthorne Race Course is implementing the following policies regarding any horses formerly trained by these indicted trainers:
1. Horses formerly trained by indicted trainers will not be allowed onto the grounds of Hawthorne Race Course until April 15.
2. Following April 15, should a horse formerly trained by an indicted trainer be transferred to another trainer and wish to come onto the grounds of Hawthorne Race Course, the Racing Secretary and Stewards must be notified by the new trainer and receive approval for the horse to enter the grounds.
3. Any horse previously owned by any indicted trainer, or their relatives, will be subject to approval of the racing secretary and stewards before being allowed onto the grounds of Hawthorne Race Course.
4. Upon approval, these horses must be stabled in the surveillance barn at Hawthorne Race Course for the duration of the meet. Any horse that leaves the grounds of Hawthorne from this barn will not be allowed to return.
5. Horses may be examined by state or association veterinarians at any time during their time on the grounds of Hawthorne Race Course.
6. After April 15, those approved horses will remain on the stewards list for 30 days from their arrival date onto the grounds of Hawthorne. They will be ineligible to race during this period.
7. Following the 30 days on the grounds of Hawthorne, horses must test negative for any foreign substances prior to coming off the stewards list. Horse will then be required to qualify to race.
8. Any violation of these policies will result in a trainer losing their stalls and ability to race at Hawthorne Race Course in the future.
(Hawthorne Race Course)