1 April 2006

Meadowlands Leading Trainer Forced to Scratch Horses after Raid

Leading trainer's horses scratched at Meadowlands after state raid
Associated Press
Horse Racing News Wire

TRENTON, N.J. -- Horses trained by the Meadowlands Racetrack's leading trainer were ordered scratched from all races this weekend after state police executed three search warrants at a farm in Monmouth County on Friday.

The New Jersey Racing Commission ordered the scratches based on "investigative activities" at trainer Seldon Ledford's stable at Showplace Farms in Englishtown. The directive affects 12 horses scheduled to race in various races at the East Rutherford oval on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ledford leads all trainers at the Meadowlands with 48 wins during the current meet.

Sgt. Stephen Jones, a state police spokesman, confirmed search warrants were executed at the barn on Friday morning as part of an ongoing investigation, but he declined to discuss why they were sought or what, if anything, was seized at the site.

There is no published phone listing for Ledford and he could not be reached for comment Friday night.

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