by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Frank Zanzuccki, executive director of the New Jersey Racing Commission, has confirmed that the purse earnings of Hambletonian Oaks starter Crys Dream will not yet be distributed because of a pending legal matter involving her eligibility to compete in New Jersey.

Crys Dream was suspended from competition for 90 days by the Ontario Racing Commission after a class 2 positive test following her win in the Elegantimage Stake at Mohawk Raceway in Ontario on June 18.

The $107,500 earned by Crys Dream with a win in the Oaks elimination and a third place finish in the final will be held, “pending final administrative decision in the matter involving the eligibility to compete in races in light of the Ontario Racing Commission ruling and our obligation to our regulations to reciprocate with other regulatory bodies,” said Zanzuccki.

“We transmitted the matter to the Office of Administrative Law, which is the office that conducts administrative hearings like this,” said Zanzuccki. “They will notify the parties when the matter is scheduled for a hearing. The time frame is typically about six months. We’ve also advised the owners of Crys Dream that any purse money to be earned by Crys Dream in races conducted in New Jersey will also be held pending the outcome of this decision.”