Columbus, OH — On Saturday (Feb. 26), United States Trotting Association president Russell Williams sent a letter of concern to the respective racing and gaming commissions of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania regarding the private testing program employed at racetracks owned by Jeffrey R. Gural.

On Monday (Feb. 28), Mr. Gural, chairman of American Racing and Entertainment, sent an email to those regulatory bodies, copied to Williams; and then followed up with a message to Williams Tuesday (March 1). Both correspondences, in their entirety, can be found below.

Feb. 28: to Robert Williams, Judith Nason and Anthony Salerno

I received a copy of a complaint by Russell Williams asking for an investigation into the steps we have taken to keep the trainers who are using illegal medications from being able to participate in racing at the three tracks I own. I am unaware of any drug positives that have shown up as a result of our efforts as those trainers have been notified that they are no longer welcome. I always agree to meet with them in person if they so request. You might want to contact Naushaun Richards at the FBI who may have additional information. His email is [redacted].

March 1: to Russell Williams, USTA president

I was wondering if you are planning to put my response to your accusations to the Racing Commission in NY, NJ and PA about your concern that I am withholding information that I have at my disposal regarding drug tests that came up positive. I intentionally made my response rather bland as I knew if I said what I was really thinking you would not publish it. I assumed that since you made a big deal out of it you would publish my response. I don’t really care that much but I can assure you that this is not going to end well for you, Joe or the USTA when the investigation is complete. I just hope we have enough trainers and owners left to race as obviously we are going to find out who is buying what from Fishman and Grasso.