So, what’s going on with Nick Surick and others?

In the US Federal Government’s investigation into horse racing doping, both Thoroughbred and harness racing trainers, veterinarians and others are now pleading guilty.

So far, 10 of the 29 people indicted by the Feds have now pleaded guilty, the latest was Jorge Navarro, one of the ringleaders on the investigation, received five years and must report to prison in 60 days.

For the full 19 page document United States v. Jorge Navarro from the United States Attorney, Southern District of New York click on this link. (A lot of information on Nick Surick in this document)

It has been explained that he must serve at least 85% of his sentence under Federal guidelines. He will serve his sentence and then possibly be deported to Panama.

But what about other people that were indicted, especially those in harness racing including trainer Nick Surick.

It was recently revealed that there are six sealed files that the Feds have on Nick Surick.

Generally, record sealing can be defined as the process of removing from general review the records pertaining to a court case. However, the records may not completely disappear and may still be reviewed under limited circumstances; in most instances, it requires a court order to unseal records once they are sealed.

This could mean a lot of things. It could mean Surick is a witness in another case. It could mean he has a plea deal too and could get off scot-free for providing information to the Feds at the start of the investigation.

Even with wiretap conversations such as this.

“You know how many (expletive) horses he (Navarro) (expletive) killed and broke down that I made disappear…You know how much trouble he could get in…if they found out…the six horses we killed?”

— Nick Surick, Trainer

Surick has reportedly been buying horses online. According to the United States Trotting Association, the last horse that Surick was listed as an owner was in 2016. Apparently, if his files are sealed, he can still purchase horses. It would be a different story if he were to be allowed to own or train horses again. I would not want to be the first track to allow him to compete.

Under these current situations, Surick may also be allowed to work with horses at a private, unlicensed facility.

Under a separate indictment are a number of other prominent players in this ring. Here is the actual indictment statement on Lou Grasso.

The Grasso Indictment charges four defendants, including veterinarian LOUIS GRASSO, with conspiring to violate the misbranding laws of the United States.  As alleged, GRASSO manufactured, sold, and distributed adulterated and misbranded PEDs for use on racehorses.  GRASSO also obtained and distributed other PEDs, including snake venom, a type of pain blocking substance.  GRASSO worked with DONATO POLISENO, a Delaware-based distributor of PEDs manufactured by GRASSO and others.  

The Grasso Indictment also charges two horse trainers, THOMAS GUIDO III and CONOR FLYNN, with, among other things, causing the shipment of adulterated and misbranded PEDs prior to administering those drugs to horses under their control.  The dangers of that practice are reflected in the death of a horse doped by GUIDO in or about October 2019, about which GRASSO commented: “I’ve seen that happen 20 times.” 

Others also included later on in the indictment were Richard Banca and Rene Allard.

It is just a matter of time until these indictments are brought forward and, in most likelihood, many additional guilty pleas will come about. We are also hopeful that with these sentencing that these horse people are never allowed within 100 yards of a horse again. We have yet to see any of this language in their sentencings.

There are still 19 other indictments that are out there. The book has not been closed on this investigation. It’s still open and it’s still an ongoing investigation. There will be plenty more to come.

Here are a number of Documents received regarding some of these Indicted including Rick Dane and Christopher Oakes.

1. Judge Dismisses Motions To Suppress Wiretap Evidence In Federal Case, First Trial Date Set
2. United States Of America v Seth Fisherman (7 pages)
3. United States v. Seth Fishman, 20-cr-160-MKV (S.D.N.Y.)MOTION TO MODIFY CONDITIONS OF PRETRIAL RELEASE TO PERMITTRAVEL TO UNITED ARAB EMIRATES1
4. United States v. Navarro, et al, 20 CR 160Seth Fishman – Defendant
5. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA against ERICA GARCIA, MICHAEL TANNUZZO, SETH FISHMAN, LISA GIANNELLI, RICK DANE, JR., JASON SERVIS, ALEXANDER CHAN, and REBECCA LINKE, Defendants.
6. United States Of America v Jorge Navarro, Erica Garcia, Marcos Zulueta, Michael Tannuzzo, Seth Fisherman, Rick Dane, Jr., Christopher Oaks, Jason Servis, Kristian Rhein, Michael Kegley, Jr., Alexander Chan, Rebbecca Linke.

by Harnesslink Media