NJSEA issues statement on Ledford
January 15, 2008
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The New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority and its racing property, the Meadowlands Racetrack, has said in a press release that it will honor the license granted to driver Eric Ledford by the New Jersey Racing Commission on Thursday, Jan. 10. Ledford had been listed to drive a horse at the Meadowlands on Thursday by trainer Carmine Fusco.
\"As a state-owned facility, the Meadowlands cannot simply ban Eric Ledford from driving if he is licensed by the New Jersey Racing Commission,\" said Senior Vice President of Racing Dennis Dowd.
\"However, we will be vigilant in monitoring Mr. Ledford\'s conduct,\" added Dowd. \"Currently, he is licensed by the commission only to drive and we have informed his attorney that if he intends to participate as a trainer or owner, our position will be reevaluated.\"
Ledford, 36, was sentenced to one-year probation and fined $15,000 as the result of his March 2006 arrest at the Meadowlands on charges related to possession of performance-enhancing substances. Also sentenced were Ledford\'s father, trainer Seldon Ledford, stable employees Ryan and Ardena Dailey and veterinarian John Witmer.
Although Ledford\'s NJRC suspension ended March 31, 2007, the commission declined
to re-license Ledford until the criminal probation period had expired. (Meadowlands)
to re-license Ledford until the criminal probation period had expired. (Meadowlands)