With the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park only a month away, the New Jersey State Police has reassigned four detectives that have made up its “horse racing investigative unit” and replaced them with two retired detectives.
According to the Asbury Park Press, a state police spokesman said the restructuring will allow officials to put assets where they are most needed. Track officials aren’t pleased, and a member of the New Jersey Racing Commission told the newspaper he’s concerned about the year-round racing product, not so much Breeders’ Cup.
The state police spokesman told the Press detectives can be reassigned to the unit if necessary, so he doesn’t foresee a problem. The unit has been successful in the past in uncovering illegal substances at racetracks and training centers in New Jersey.
The NJRC Sept. 17 adopted regulations that will allow for expanded equine drug tests that will be performed on Breeders’ Cup starters. The event is scheduled for Oct. 26-27.