Top Windsor trainer Haskell among 3 arrested

Three Ontario-based horsepersons, including Chris Haskell, one of the leading trainers at Windsor Raceway have been arrested and charged with one count each of cheat at play, fraud, and offenses under the pari-mutuel regulations of the Criminal Code as a result of an investigation into the use of non-therapeutic, performance-enhancing substances on Ontario racehorses.

 

Also charged are Derek Riesberry, 40, and Cassie Nantais, 24. The three were all charged and released but are prohibited from participating in racing. They are scheduled to appear in a court in Windsor on Jan. 5, 2011.

 

According to a release issued by the Ontario Provincial Police, a search warrant was executed on Sunday, Nov. 7, at a Windsor residence and Tecumseh horse stable where drugs, medications and documents related to the criminal investigation were seized, as well as business vehicles and horse trailers.

 

Haskell, 33, has not started a horse since Nov. 2 at Windsor and currently has 64 wins in 179 total starts in 2010, with a UDR of .495. Last year, he had 92 winners in 179 starts, with 134 horses finishing one-two-three for a UDR of .627, the highest among all trainers with more than 10 starts in North America. He also led the North American list in 2008 with a .557 UDR and stats that included 76 wins in 193 starts and 143 on-the-board finishes. Haskell's UDR from 2005-07 were .430, .450 and .495, respectively, with 195 winners from 616 total starts those three years.