Trainer suspended 2 1/2 years for acting as a front

Veteran trainer Bernard Grignola, who conditioned New York Sire Stakes champions Taurus Dream and Sir Dream in the early 2000s, has been fined $7,500 and suspended 2 ½ years for allegedly acting as a “front” for trainer Robert Greenwood, who had been given a suspension in November at Freehold.

Harnessracing.com has learned that one week after Greenwood had received a stay of his six-month suspension for possession of hypodermic needs, syringes and/or injectable and/or other drugs, he received a positive test on one of his horses at Harrah’s Chester. That resulted in his stay being revoked by the New Jersey Racing Commission in early February. The New Jersey Racing Commission then learned Greenwood continued to train horses, with some allegedly being entered to race under Grignola’s name.

In the ruling obtained from the New Jersey Racing Commission, it stated: “Mr. Grignola did interfere with an investigation being conducted by members of the New Jersey Racing Commission Investigative staff as he attempted to harbor an individual who is not able to obtain licensure by the New Jersey Racing Commission, while on the grounds of a licensed off-track training facility.”

The ruling continued: “Mr. Grignola did engage in a conspiracy related to racing by agreeing to be listed as the programmed trainer of certain horses that, by his own admission, he was not the trainer of and were in fact trained by an individual who has been denied a New Jersey Racing Commission license. By acting as a “front,” Mr. Grignola knowingly and willfully enabled this individual to circumvent the licensing requirements of the New Jersey Racing Commission. In addition to these horses having raced in other jurisdictions, Mr. Grignola attempted to enter at least one of these horses to race at the Meadowlands on Feb. 28, 2008, by providing false and inaccurate information upon declaration.”

Grignola has appealed the penalties and asked for a stay of the ruling, but no decision has yet been made by the New Jersey Racing Commission.

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