Stays denied to Ledford five

The New Jersey Racing Commission has denied stays for Eric and Seldon Ledford as well as three others associated with the arrests triggered by Operation Horsepower on March 31, 2006.

The Ledfords, as well as the husband-wife team of Ryan and Ardena Dailey and veterinarian Dr. John Witmer were arrested by the New Jersey State Police and face a variety of charges related to the possession of various illegal medications, in particular the “performance-enhancing substance, Aranesp, a form of EPO*[with] the intent to rig a publicly exhibited contest."

Citing the serious nature of the charges, the requests for stays of the penalties imposed by the Racing Commission Board of Judges were denied as to "grant same would be 'inimical to the integrity of the sport.'"

Hearings held by the judges on April 4 and 6 were triggered by an investigation and search of the Ledford barn at Showplace Farms conducted by the New Jersey State Police on March 31.

By virtue of the rulings from the New Jersey Racing Commission's Board of Judges, released on April 12, Eric Ledford, his father, Seldon Ledford; assistant trainer Ryan Dailey; Dailey's wife, Ardena Dailey, and veterinarian John R. Witmer are barred from the Meadowlands and any other track or training center under the Commission's jurisdiction, effective April 12, 2006.

Eric Ledford, 34, of Monroe, New Jersey, and Seldon Ledford, 59, of Crete, Illinois, were each suspended a total of 10 years, six months and fined $12,000. The suspensions run through October 16, 2016.

Assistant trainer Ryan Dailey and his wife, Ardena Dailey, both 31 and from East Windsor, New Jersey, were each suspended eight years and fined $10,000. Their suspensions run through and include April 12, 2014.

Dr. Witmer, 67, of Palm Beach, Florida, was suspended for seven years and fined $7,500. His suspension continues through April 12, 2013.

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