from Harness Tracks of America

Tucson, AZ — The New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest, has created a potential legal nightmare for racing with its recent decision reversing and vacating a five-year suspension of harness racing trainer Dennis Laterza.

Laterza was set down for an EPO/DPO positive on the horse Lemon Pepper at Yonkers Raceway.

After the New York Racing and Wagering Board’s expert on drug matters, Dr. Cornelius Uboh of the Pennsylvania Equine Toxiology Research Laboratory, testified he did not attempt to quantify the substance and had not been asked to determine when it was administered, the court annulled the Laterza penalties.