The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has suspended harness trainer Luis “Lou” Pena immediately and indefinitely for illegally drugging horses in nearly 700 races, including some at Saratoga, and amassing more than 1,700 equine drug violations.
The board’s action comes after a comprehensive and groundbreaking investigation with assistance from New Jersey racing officials.
A board spokesman said most of the violations occurred at Yonkers Raceway, although some were at Saratoga Casino and Raceway’s harness track.
Pena also faces a possible license revocation and fines of up to $25,000 per violation. The board’s investigation is continuing and further actions, including the recovery of more than $2.5 million in purse monies won with illegally drugged horses, are possible.
Racing officials from both states partnered in a joint review of veterinary records. The collaboration led to the Racing and Wagering Board’s action. The investigation determined that Pena amassed a total of 1,719 equine drug violations in 675 races from January 2010 to April 2012.
Pena’s alleged drug violations included a litany of substances, most of which were administered to horses outside the time frame allowed by racing board rules.