HARNESS RACINGS TRUTHS AND SECRETS

[Brown jug]

boring , nothing new here
 ever notice its the same 2 or 3 guys just recycling the same comments on multiple threads

[Harness Racing Revolution]

boring , nothing new here
 ever notice its the same 2 or 3 guys just recycling the same comments on multiple threads

And yet here you are commenting on them. 

[Pacer 2]

boring , nothing new here
 ever notice its the same 2 or 3 guys just recycling the same comments on multiple threads

   Well, its the no life child!   

[Chips N Salsa]

Selective Justice at the Meadowlands: Why Are Some Drug Offenders Still Driving and Training?
If you’ve followed harness racing over the past few years, you know Jeff Gural has marketed himself as the sport’s anti-doping crusader. Yet a closer look reveals a glaring double standard: some trainers and drivers with known drug positives or federal investigations are still welcome at the Meadowlands — while others were permanently banned.

Let’s talk facts:
🚨 People Who Appeared in Federal Drug Lists — and Were BANNED by Gural:
•   Jenn Bongiorno – Banned, then miraculously unbanned.
•   Bob Bongiorno – Same story: banned, then quietly reinstated.
•   Scott DiDomenico, Jeff Gillis – Also named with Ethamsylate, a red-flag banned substance.
But here's the kicker: Gural reversed only the Bongiornos’ suspensions — no other names were reinstated.
🧾 Quote from Jeff Gural himself that exposes the bias:
“Problem is Bowden is a big supporter financially so I need to find out what he did. What a Yannick did was nothing new but with Surick makes it bad.”
— Jeff Gural (from email)
Let that sink in: decisions on banning individuals are influenced by financial support, not ethics or integrity. If you're a sponsor or a political ally of the Meadowlands, the rules suddenly bend.
 
🚨 Who's NOT Banned Despite Being Named or Closely Tied?
•   Jason Bartlett – Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Corey Callahan - Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Jimmy Takter – Long-time trainer, never banned despite deep connections.
•   Nancy Takter – Actively training and racing.
•   Doug Dilloin Jr - Actively training and racing.
•   Linda Toscano, Andy Miller, Julie Miller – All still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.
•   Wayne Chrebet – owner buying drugs for trainer Kevin McDermott who trains for Gural
•   CC Racing – Owned by Tim Tetrick who is HOF Driver at Meadowlands
•   John Fodera – Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Hatfield Stables - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Alan Katz  - Major owner of horses with Nancy Takter and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Jonathan Klee - Major owner of horses with John Mcdermott and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Billy Garafalo  - Major owner of horses with John Mcdermott and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Patrick Lachance - Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Let It Ride Stables (Eric Cherry) - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Dana Parham - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Brett Pelling - still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.
•   J&T Silva - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Cory Stratton - still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.

These names continue to appear on entry sheets and stake race programs — protected by silence, relationships, or money.  Remember these bills can’t be for work because Fishman never left his home in South Florida.  This was all for drugs.

The pattern is clear: if you're part of the Meadowlands "in crowd" or have deep political and financial ties, you skate. Everyone else? You’re expendable.
The Untouchables: How the Crawfords Walked Away Clean from the Biggest Doping Scandal in Harness Racing
In the aftermath of the largest doping scandal in the history of horse racing — one that saw federal indictments, lifetime bans, and widespread disgrace — there remains one name that somehow dodged every bullet: Albert and Michelle Crawford.

While smaller owners were tossed aside and reputations were destroyed, the Crawfords remain not only unscathed, but still front-and-center sponsors of The Meadowlands Pace — one of the sport’s premier events. And yet, they had horses with not one, not two, but three federally indicted trainers:
•   Nick Surick – the ringleader of the doping operation, who pled guilty to conspiracy charges.
•   Chris Oakes – hit with federal indictments for using illegal substances on racehorses.
•   Jorge Navarro – convicted and sentenced for running a long-term doping ring involving top-tier thoroughbreds.
•   And let’s not forget Jenn Bongiorno – featured on the federal Fishman drug distribution list, yet never even questioned publicly by the Meadowlands or the feds.
Despite that extensive web of association, the Crawfords were never suspended, questioned, or held accountable in any meaningful way. No scrutiny from Meadowlands management. No investigation from regulators. Nothing.
 
💰 Follow the Money: The Meadowlands' Convenient Blind Spot
Here’s where the conspiracy theory becomes less theory and more reality: the Crawfords are major sponsors of the Meadowlands Pace. Their money is everywhere — in stakes races, in advertising, in the backside relationships that oil the industry.

When Jeff Gural claims to be the sport’s watchdog, banning dozens of small-time trainers and owners tied to the scandal, it’s impossible not to notice this glaring double standard.
Why were owners with even minor ties to wrongdoing banned or shamed publicly, while the Crawfords — whose horses ran under the care of some of the dirtiest trainers in modern racing history — remain completely untouchable?
 
🧬 The Antonacci Angle: Hiding in Plain Sight
Even more disturbing is the presence of Chris Antonacci on the Fishman drug list — a name most casual fans wouldn’t think twice about. Why? Because Chris Antonacci doesn't even hold a racing license. Yet somehow, he was directly tied to the illegal distribution chain, and still, no questions asked, no accountability.
But his family? That’s another story. Frank Antonacci Sr. and Frank Jr. run one of the most powerful stables in harness racing. They’re major owners, major players, and major contributors to the Meadowlands. So here's the question no one in power seems willing to ask:

Why was Fishman delivering to your unlicensed brother? What were you trying to hide?
If integrity actually mattered, that alone would trigger an investigation. But just like with the Crawfords, money, influence, and proximity to the Meadowlands' inner circle has once again bought silence.
❓ What about Meadowlands Integrity?
The Meadowlands touts itself as a “clean racing” environment, yet their enforcement of rules is selective at best — politically motivated at worst. When sponsors and financial contributors get treated differently than average trainers or owners, it’s not integrity — it’s favoritism.
 
📢 Time for Transparency
•   Why were the Bongiornos the only ones reinstated?
•   Why is Gural still allowing people on federal drug lists to race?
•   Why are fans and bettors misled into thinking it’s a level playing field?

The truth: Meadowlands bans who it wants, when it wants — depending on your checkbook, not your record.
 

[Bitter Truth]

Great post Chips.

[MCR]

harness racing is probably the most crooked business in the world.
everyone may think Petrelli is crazy. i do as well, but he isnt wrong. i would say he is more often right than wrong and its not even close.

there have always been different rules for different people. depending on who you are judges may turn their heads to violations. certain people may get lighter penalties. we have all seen it first hand.

husband gets a positive so then they put their wife down as trainer. business goes on as usual. there are no reprecusions. racing commisions at each state allow it to continue to happen.

you have vets pre racing horses on race day. maybe early in the day or even while giving lasix.
vets will tube your horse on race day.

you have drivers and trainers betting against their own horses. maybe some get envelopes.

you have adult men predatorizing under age girls. except simon allard he like boys.

you have horse killers racing every night.

people lying cheating and stealing on a daily basis.

i would really like to turn on 60 minutes one sunday and see all the dirty laundry aired out.

so few regular people follow or even know what harness racing is thats how this all keeps getting swept under the rug.
 
until this gets real public and regular people with authority see it and figure it out its all going down.

i may not agree with how petrelli does it but what other way is there at this point? and he isnt wrong.
 what are people afraid of? i can only hope law enforcement has their eyes on the industry and will start locking people up. we will see if anyone has a backbone.

The scary thing is yes he comes across as crazy but I agree he usually hits the nail on the head.  The shit that goes on the corruption and drug use amongst many other things is sickening.  It is more than just the horsemen that are corrupt. The racing commission/racetrack management is just as bad!

[MCR]

Selective Justice at the Meadowlands: Why Are Some Drug Offenders Still Driving and Training?
If you’ve followed harness racing over the past few years, you know Jeff Gural has marketed himself as the sport’s anti-doping crusader. Yet a closer look reveals a glaring double standard: some trainers and drivers with known drug positives or federal investigations are still welcome at the Meadowlands — while others were permanently banned.

Let’s talk facts:
🚨 People Who Appeared in Federal Drug Lists — and Were BANNED by Gural:
•   Jenn Bongiorno – Banned, then miraculously unbanned.
•   Bob Bongiorno – Same story: banned, then quietly reinstated.
•   Scott DiDomenico, Jeff Gillis – Also named with Ethamsylate, a red-flag banned substance.
But here's the kicker: Gural reversed only the Bongiornos’ suspensions — no other names were reinstated.
🧾 Quote from Jeff Gural himself that exposes the bias:
“Problem is Bowden is a big supporter financially so I need to find out what he did. What a Yannick did was nothing new but with Surick makes it bad.”
— Jeff Gural (from email)
Let that sink in: decisions on banning individuals are influenced by financial support, not ethics or integrity. If you're a sponsor or a political ally of the Meadowlands, the rules suddenly bend.
 
🚨 Who's NOT Banned Despite Being Named or Closely Tied?
•   Jason Bartlett – Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Corey Callahan - Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Jimmy Takter – Long-time trainer, never banned despite deep connections.
•   Nancy Takter – Actively training and racing.
•   Doug Dilloin Jr - Actively training and racing.
•   Linda Toscano, Andy Miller, Julie Miller – All still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.
•   Wayne Chrebet – owner buying drugs for trainer Kevin McDermott who trains for Gural
•   CC Racing – Owned by Tim Tetrick who is HOF Driver at Meadowlands
•   John Fodera – Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Hatfield Stables - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Alan Katz  - Major owner of horses with Nancy Takter and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Jonathan Klee - Major owner of horses with John Mcdermott and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Billy Garafalo  - Major owner of horses with John Mcdermott and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Patrick Lachance - Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Let It Ride Stables (Eric Cherry) - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Dana Parham - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Brett Pelling - still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.
•   J&T Silva - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Cory Stratton - still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.

These names continue to appear on entry sheets and stake race programs — protected by silence, relationships, or money.  Remember these bills can’t be for work because Fishman never left his home in South Florida.  This was all for drugs.

The pattern is clear: if you're part of the Meadowlands "in crowd" or have deep political and financial ties, you skate. Everyone else? You’re expendable.
The Untouchables: How the Crawfords Walked Away Clean from the Biggest Doping Scandal in Harness Racing
In the aftermath of the largest doping scandal in the history of horse racing — one that saw federal indictments, lifetime bans, and widespread disgrace — there remains one name that somehow dodged every bullet: Albert and Michelle Crawford.

While smaller owners were tossed aside and reputations were destroyed, the Crawfords remain not only unscathed, but still front-and-center sponsors of The Meadowlands Pace — one of the sport’s premier events. And yet, they had horses with not one, not two, but three federally indicted trainers:
•   Nick Surick – the ringleader of the doping operation, who pled guilty to conspiracy charges.
•   Chris Oakes – hit with federal indictments for using illegal substances on racehorses.
•   Jorge Navarro – convicted and sentenced for running a long-term doping ring involving top-tier thoroughbreds.
•   And let’s not forget Jenn Bongiorno – featured on the federal Fishman drug distribution list, yet never even questioned publicly by the Meadowlands or the feds.
Despite that extensive web of association, the Crawfords were never suspended, questioned, or held accountable in any meaningful way. No scrutiny from Meadowlands management. No investigation from regulators. Nothing.
 
💰 Follow the Money: The Meadowlands' Convenient Blind Spot
Here’s where the conspiracy theory becomes less theory and more reality: the Crawfords are major sponsors of the Meadowlands Pace. Their money is everywhere — in stakes races, in advertising, in the backside relationships that oil the industry.

When Jeff Gural claims to be the sport’s watchdog, banning dozens of small-time trainers and owners tied to the scandal, it’s impossible not to notice this glaring double standard.
Why were owners with even minor ties to wrongdoing banned or shamed publicly, while the Crawfords — whose horses ran under the care of some of the dirtiest trainers in modern racing history — remain completely untouchable?
 
🧬 The Antonacci Angle: Hiding in Plain Sight
Even more disturbing is the presence of Chris Antonacci on the Fishman drug list — a name most casual fans wouldn’t think twice about. Why? Because Chris Antonacci doesn't even hold a racing license. Yet somehow, he was directly tied to the illegal distribution chain, and still, no questions asked, no accountability.
But his family? That’s another story. Frank Antonacci Sr. and Frank Jr. run one of the most powerful stables in harness racing. They’re major owners, major players, and major contributors to the Meadowlands. So here's the question no one in power seems willing to ask:

Why was Fishman delivering to your unlicensed brother? What were you trying to hide?
If integrity actually mattered, that alone would trigger an investigation. But just like with the Crawfords, money, influence, and proximity to the Meadowlands' inner circle has once again bought silence.
❓ What about Meadowlands Integrity?
The Meadowlands touts itself as a “clean racing” environment, yet their enforcement of rules is selective at best — politically motivated at worst. When sponsors and financial contributors get treated differently than average trainers or owners, it’s not integrity — it’s favoritism.
 
📢 Time for Transparency
•   Why were the Bongiornos the only ones reinstated?
•   Why is Gural still allowing people on federal drug lists to race?
•   Why are fans and bettors misled into thinking it’s a level playing field?

The truth: Meadowlands bans who it wants, when it wants — depending on your checkbook, not your record.

All very well said

[Papillon]

Selective Justice at the Meadowlands: Why Are Some Drug Offenders Still Driving and Training?
If you’ve followed harness racing over the past few years, you know Jeff Gural has marketed himself as the sport’s anti-doping crusader. Yet a closer look reveals a glaring double standard: some trainers and drivers with known drug positives or federal investigations are still welcome at the Meadowlands — while others were permanently banned.

Let’s talk facts:
🚨 People Who Appeared in Federal Drug Lists — and Were BANNED by Gural:
•   Jenn Bongiorno – Banned, then miraculously unbanned.
•   Bob Bongiorno – Same story: banned, then quietly reinstated.
•   Scott DiDomenico, Jeff Gillis – Also named with Ethamsylate, a red-flag banned substance.
But here's the kicker: Gural reversed only the Bongiornos’ suspensions — no other names were reinstated.
🧾 Quote from Jeff Gural himself that exposes the bias:
“Problem is Bowden is a big supporter financially so I need to find out what he did. What a Yannick did was nothing new but with Surick makes it bad.”
— Jeff Gural (from email)
Let that sink in: decisions on banning individuals are influenced by financial support, not ethics or integrity. If you're a sponsor or a political ally of the Meadowlands, the rules suddenly bend.
 
🚨 Who's NOT Banned Despite Being Named or Closely Tied?
•   Jason Bartlett – Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Corey Callahan - Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Jimmy Takter – Long-time trainer, never banned despite deep connections.
•   Nancy Takter – Actively training and racing.
•   Doug Dilloin Jr - Actively training and racing.
•   Linda Toscano, Andy Miller, Julie Miller – All still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.
•   Wayne Chrebet – owner buying drugs for trainer Kevin McDermott who trains for Gural
•   CC Racing – Owned by Tim Tetrick who is HOF Driver at Meadowlands
•   John Fodera – Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Hatfield Stables - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Alan Katz  - Major owner of horses with Nancy Takter and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Jonathan Klee - Major owner of horses with John Mcdermott and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Billy Garafalo  - Major owner of horses with John Mcdermott and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Patrick Lachance - Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Let It Ride Stables (Eric Cherry) - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Dana Parham - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Brett Pelling - still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.
•   J&T Silva - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Cory Stratton - still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.

These names continue to appear on entry sheets and stake race programs — protected by silence, relationships, or money.  Remember these bills can’t be for work because Fishman never left his home in South Florida.  This was all for drugs.

The pattern is clear: if you're part of the Meadowlands "in crowd" or have deep political and financial ties, you skate. Everyone else? You’re expendable.
The Untouchables: How the Crawfords Walked Away Clean from the Biggest Doping Scandal in Harness Racing
In the aftermath of the largest doping scandal in the history of horse racing — one that saw federal indictments, lifetime bans, and widespread disgrace — there remains one name that somehow dodged every bullet: Albert and Michelle Crawford.

While smaller owners were tossed aside and reputations were destroyed, the Crawfords remain not only unscathed, but still front-and-center sponsors of The Meadowlands Pace — one of the sport’s premier events. And yet, they had horses with not one, not two, but three federally indicted trainers:
•   Nick Surick – the ringleader of the doping operation, who pled guilty to conspiracy charges.
•   Chris Oakes – hit with federal indictments for using illegal substances on racehorses.
•   Jorge Navarro – convicted and sentenced for running a long-term doping ring involving top-tier thoroughbreds.
•   And let’s not forget Jenn Bongiorno – featured on the federal Fishman drug distribution list, yet never even questioned publicly by the Meadowlands or the feds.
Despite that extensive web of association, the Crawfords were never suspended, questioned, or held accountable in any meaningful way. No scrutiny from Meadowlands management. No investigation from regulators. Nothing.
 
💰 Follow the Money: The Meadowlands' Convenient Blind Spot
Here’s where the conspiracy theory becomes less theory and more reality: the Crawfords are major sponsors of the Meadowlands Pace. Their money is everywhere — in stakes races, in advertising, in the backside relationships that oil the industry.

When Jeff Gural claims to be the sport’s watchdog, banning dozens of small-time trainers and owners tied to the scandal, it’s impossible not to notice this glaring double standard.
Why were owners with even minor ties to wrongdoing banned or shamed publicly, while the Crawfords — whose horses ran under the care of some of the dirtiest trainers in modern racing history — remain completely untouchable?
 
🧬 The Antonacci Angle: Hiding in Plain Sight
Even more disturbing is the presence of Chris Antonacci on the Fishman drug list — a name most casual fans wouldn’t think twice about. Why? Because Chris Antonacci doesn't even hold a racing license. Yet somehow, he was directly tied to the illegal distribution chain, and still, no questions asked, no accountability.
But his family? That’s another story. Frank Antonacci Sr. and Frank Jr. run one of the most powerful stables in harness racing. They’re major owners, major players, and major contributors to the Meadowlands. So here's the question no one in power seems willing to ask:

Why was Fishman delivering to your unlicensed brother? What were you trying to hide?
If integrity actually mattered, that alone would trigger an investigation. But just like with the Crawfords, money, influence, and proximity to the Meadowlands' inner circle has once again bought silence.
❓ What about Meadowlands Integrity?
The Meadowlands touts itself as a “clean racing” environment, yet their enforcement of rules is selective at best — politically motivated at worst. When sponsors and financial contributors get treated differently than average trainers or owners, it’s not integrity — it’s favoritism.
 
📢 Time for Transparency
•   Why were the Bongiornos the only ones reinstated?
•   Why is Gural still allowing people on federal drug lists to race?
•   Why are fans and bettors misled into thinking it’s a level playing field?

The truth: Meadowlands bans who it wants, when it wants — depending on your checkbook, not your record.

brilliant post

[Gaagoots]

Now these are true facts for a change thank you for the great post! So tired of reading bullshit from a few on here..

[I’mwatching]

All sounds familiar!

[Chips N Salsa]

That article was sent to Harness Racing Update but will never be printed.  The author is very well respected and very knowledgeable.  Maybe Mike can do a Youtube on it and ask the questions?

[Harness Racing Revolution]

That article was sent to Harness Racing Update but will never be printed.  The author is very well respected and very knowledgeable.  Maybe Mike can do a Youtube on it and ask the questions?

TBH there's nothing in there I disagree with, nor should anyone else. Problem is the horsemen refuse to face reality and those in charge won't do it anyway. In the end the public will never want harness racing again. And with good reason too.

[Gaagoots]

TBH there's nothing in there I disagree with, nor should anyone else. Problem is the horsemen refuse to face reality and those in charge won't do it anyway. In the end the public will never want harness racing again. And with good reason too.

Press release coming soon little man. Just compiling information. Since you’re such a fan, maybe we’ll have Larry Rolla make the announcement.!

[Harness Racing Revolution]

Press release coming soon little man. Just compiling information. Since you’re such a fan, maybe we’ll have Larry Rolla make the announcement.!

Go for it, he will reach the same amount of people that are interested in anything Harnes Racing related. None.  BTW, who handles Steve Jones' "press releases"? @cameohills.com like  his email?? 

[OF JENNY]

Selective Justice at the Meadowlands: Why Are Some Drug Offenders Still Driving and Training?
If you’ve followed harness racing over the past few years, you know Jeff Gural has marketed himself as the sport’s anti-doping crusader. Yet a closer look reveals a glaring double standard: some trainers and drivers with known drug positives or federal investigations are still welcome at the Meadowlands — while others were permanently banned.

Let’s talk facts:
🚨 People Who Appeared in Federal Drug Lists — and Were BANNED by Gural:
•   Jenn Bongiorno – Banned, then miraculously unbanned.
•   Bob Bongiorno – Same story: banned, then quietly reinstated.
•   Scott DiDomenico, Jeff Gillis – Also named with Ethamsylate, a red-flag banned substance.
But here's the kicker: Gural reversed only the Bongiornos’ suspensions — no other names were reinstated.
🧾 Quote from Jeff Gural himself that exposes the bias:
“Problem is Bowden is a big supporter financially so I need to find out what he did. What a Yannick did was nothing new but with Surick makes it bad.”
— Jeff Gural (from email)
Let that sink in: decisions on banning individuals are influenced by financial support, not ethics or integrity. If you're a sponsor or a political ally of the Meadowlands, the rules suddenly bend.
 
🚨 Who's NOT Banned Despite Being Named or Closely Tied?
•   Jason Bartlett – Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Corey Callahan - Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Jimmy Takter – Long-time trainer, never banned despite deep connections.
•   Nancy Takter – Actively training and racing.
•   Doug Dilloin Jr - Actively training and racing.
•   Linda Toscano, Andy Miller, Julie Miller – All still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.
•   Wayne Chrebet – owner buying drugs for trainer Kevin McDermott who trains for Gural
•   CC Racing – Owned by Tim Tetrick who is HOF Driver at Meadowlands
•   John Fodera – Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Hatfield Stables - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Alan Katz  - Major owner of horses with Nancy Takter and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Jonathan Klee - Major owner of horses with John Mcdermott and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Billy Garafalo  - Major owner of horses with John Mcdermott and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Patrick Lachance - Regular driver, continues racing at top venues.
•   Let It Ride Stables (Eric Cherry) - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Dana Parham - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Brett Pelling - still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.
•   J&T Silva - Major owner of horses and no business to be ordering from Fishman
•   Cory Stratton - still racing and untouched, despite the circles they operate in.

These names continue to appear on entry sheets and stake race programs — protected by silence, relationships, or money.  Remember these bills can’t be for work because Fishman never left his home in South Florida.  This was all for drugs.

The pattern is clear: if you're part of the Meadowlands "in crowd" or have deep political and financial ties, you skate. Everyone else? You’re expendable.
The Untouchables: How the Crawfords Walked Away Clean from the Biggest Doping Scandal in Harness Racing
In the aftermath of the largest doping scandal in the history of horse racing — one that saw federal indictments, lifetime bans, and widespread disgrace — there remains one name that somehow dodged every bullet: Albert and Michelle Crawford.

While smaller owners were tossed aside and reputations were destroyed, the Crawfords remain not only unscathed, but still front-and-center sponsors of The Meadowlands Pace — one of the sport’s premier events. And yet, they had horses with not one, not two, but three federally indicted trainers:
•   Nick Surick – the ringleader of the doping operation, who pled guilty to conspiracy charges.
•   Chris Oakes – hit with federal indictments for using illegal substances on racehorses.
•   Jorge Navarro – convicted and sentenced for running a long-term doping ring involving top-tier thoroughbreds.
•   And let’s not forget Jenn Bongiorno – featured on the federal Fishman drug distribution list, yet never even questioned publicly by the Meadowlands or the feds.
Despite that extensive web of association, the Crawfords were never suspended, questioned, or held accountable in any meaningful way. No scrutiny from Meadowlands management. No investigation from regulators. Nothing.
 
💰 Follow the Money: The Meadowlands' Convenient Blind Spot
Here’s where the conspiracy theory becomes less theory and more reality: the Crawfords are major sponsors of the Meadowlands Pace. Their money is everywhere — in stakes races, in advertising, in the backside relationships that oil the industry.

When Jeff Gural claims to be the sport’s watchdog, banning dozens of small-time trainers and owners tied to the scandal, it’s impossible not to notice this glaring double standard.
Why were owners with even minor ties to wrongdoing banned or shamed publicly, while the Crawfords — whose horses ran under the care of some of the dirtiest trainers in modern racing history — remain completely untouchable?
 
🧬 The Antonacci Angle: Hiding in Plain Sight
Even more disturbing is the presence of Chris Antonacci on the Fishman drug list — a name most casual fans wouldn’t think twice about. Why? Because Chris Antonacci doesn't even hold a racing license. Yet somehow, he was directly tied to the illegal distribution chain, and still, no questions asked, no accountability.
But his family? That’s another story. Frank Antonacci Sr. and Frank Jr. run one of the most powerful stables in harness racing. They’re major owners, major players, and major contributors to the Meadowlands. So here's the question no one in power seems willing to ask:

Why was Fishman delivering to your unlicensed brother? What were you trying to hide?
If integrity actually mattered, that alone would trigger an investigation. But just like with the Crawfords, money, influence, and proximity to the Meadowlands' inner circle has once again bought silence.
❓ What about Meadowlands Integrity?
The Meadowlands touts itself as a “clean racing” environment, yet their enforcement of rules is selective at best — politically motivated at worst. When sponsors and financial contributors get treated differently than average trainers or owners, it’s not integrity — it’s favoritism.
 
📢 Time for Transparency
•   Why were the Bongiornos the only ones reinstated?
•   Why is Gural still allowing people on federal drug lists to race?
•   Why are fans and bettors misled into thinking it’s a level playing field?

The truth: Meadowlands bans who it wants, when it wants — depending on your checkbook, not your record.

HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD. GET THIS OUT IN THE PRESS.