Both Cohen, Hall removed from USTA

Cohen and Hall have been key figures in the federal horse doping trial of Dr. Seth Fishman in New York, with both testifying to having received illicit performance enhancing drugs from Dr. Fishman, then having them administered to horses in their care. Additionally, Cohen claimed to have paid drivers to fix races.

Harness Racing Update’s pool coverage of the legal proceedings can be found here.

Cohen is a former trainer who has not been active since 2009, while Hall most recently started a horse in late 2021, at the Meadowlands on Dec. 18. Both testified last week under plea arrangements as government witnesses in the trial of Dr. Fishman, a veterinarian accused of adulteration and misbranding conspiracy charges.

The USTA revocations are per Article 1, §4 of the Association bylaws, which states that “membership may be revoked for any member whose experience, character, or general fitness are such that the participation of such person in harness racing will not be consistent with the best interest of the sport and whose membership would be detrimental, reflect adversely or unfavorably on harness racing or upon the association and who has either admitted to race fixing in a sworn statement or been found guilty of race fixing in final adjudication, shall be barred from membership in this association for life.”

Under Article VIII of the USTA bylaws, Cohen and Hall have the right to appeal their penalties.

From the USTA