Futter admits to injections

Horseman Larry Futter has been barred from participating at both Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs after he was observed illegally injecting drugs at a highway rest stop into the horse Civil Warrior Saturday, June 17.

According to a release, Tioga Downs security officers observed Futter parking his horse trailer at a rest stop on State Route 17, about five miles east of the racetrack, at about 6 p.m. Futter, along with trainer Joseph Sansone, were seen entering the trailer with several syringes in hand, then later exiting and discarding the syringes in a garbage can. Tioga Downs security then confiscated the syringes and notified track security director Dave Brenner, who stopped Futter and Sansone when they arrived at the track.

Futter admitted to security to using the syringes to inject homeopathic breather medication, lactanase and ACTH, and also told of purchasing the drugs easily through internet websites. He also indicated that Sansone did not play a role in administering the medication. Sansone’s status is currently being evaluated.
The statements and evidence were turned over to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

“Today’s unfortunate events and successful conclusion are what I envision not just for Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, but for all horse racing,” said Tioga Downs chairman Jeffrey Gural. “It is nice to have former New York state steward and presiding judge Art Gray serving as a consultant to me as he has established a program and is educating the security division at both Tioga and Vernon Downs to maximize the level of integrity on the racetrack.”

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