from Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

Freehold, NJ — The New Jersey Racing Commission has issued a ruling dated July 23 noting that the Supreme Court of New Jersey has granted a temporary stay of the suspension imposed on trainer Ross Croghan for 180 days and a fine of $2,500 for violation of the Trainer’s Responsibility rule.

The original ruling ruling refers to the horse, “Cammabis, which raced on June 6, 2007, in the 11th race at The Meadowlands Racetrack and as a result of a post-race blood gas test which indicated that the horse was equal to or exceeded the established level of total carbon dioxide (TCO2). The period of suspension for the second violation shall be one hundred and eighty (180) days…..”

The ruling further noted that the horse finished first and is disqualified from sharing in the purse and ordered the purse money to be redistributed among eligible horses. Cammabis was owned by Brian Nixon on the day of the violation. The June 6 race was won in a time of 1:51. Cammabis has failed to get a purse check in four subsequent starts.

Croghan appealed the Commission’s action and asked for a stay pending that appeal. The Commission denied the appeal in a ruling dated July 17 and stipulated that the suspension was to begin July 23 through and including January 18, 2008. Today’s ruling grants the stay of that suspension due to the Supreme Court’s ruling.