Ron Burke and Julie Millier positives

[LVGaryD]

Apparently Ron Burke and Julie Miller have gotten a total of 22 positive tests at Yonkers. Everyone knows I have done business off and on with Burkes for several years. Ronnie, Mickey Jr., Mark Weaver, and Mike Bruscemi  are people that I definitely consider to be friends of mine, so I am admittedly partial in this case.

I have not spoken with any of the Burke brigade about this situation but I will tell you all my position: Ron Burke is the best trainer in harness racing today (that would not be the case if I got back in the business, but I am not getting back in the business  ). I highly doubt he had anything to do whatsoever with these positives, other than being down as trainer on the horses. More likely it was a rogue employee or former employee who sabotaged Ronnie.

Until I hear differently this is what I assume happened. Call me naive if you must, but knowing Ronnie, Mickey Jr., and Mark Weaver as well as I do, I highly doubt any of them would risk their multi-million dollar operation by using any illegal drug.

If my position is proven wrong, I will readily admit that I was wrong. Until that happens, this is my belief.

[careless hal]

I'd have a hard time thinking either would use or administer drugs illegally.  Will have to wait and see what evidence they have.

[The Skipper]

Apparently Ron Burke and Julie Miller have gotten a total of 22 positive tests at Yonkers. Everyone knows I have done business off and on with Burkes for several years. Ronnie, Mickey Jr., Mark Weaver, and Mike Bruscemi  are people that I definitely consider to be friends of mine, so I am admittedly partial in this case.

I have not spoken with any of the Burke brigade about this situation but I will tell you all my position: Ron Burke is the best trainer in harness racing today (that would not be the case if I got back in the business, but I am not getting back in the business  ). I highly doubt he had anything to do whatsoever with these positives, other than being down as trainer on the horses. More likely it was a rogue employee or former employee who sabotaged Ronnie.

Until I hear differently this is what I assume happened. Call me naive if you must, but knowing Ronnie, Mickey Jr., and Mark Weaver as well as I do, I highly doubt any of them would risk their multi-million dollar operation by using any illegal drug.

If my position is proven wrong, I will readily admit that I was wrong. Until that happens, this is my belief.

           

http://xwebapp.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/templates/article.aspx?articleid=68231&zoneid=63

[pezz97]

©
Attorney Taylor Addresses Drug Rumors
Harnessracing.com has received correspondence from attor-
ney Howard Taylor, also a Standardbred owner, regarding a
report published Thursday on Harnesslink.com regarding al-
leged positive tests incurred by trainers Ron Burke and Julie
Miller in New York. While Taylor did not identify any trainer by
name, he said he has been retained by several trainers whose
horses recently had positive tests in New York.
In New York, as is the case in most jurisdictions, when a
horse tests positive, the trainer of the horse is notified and
the judges/stewards schedule a hearing. The judges/stew-
ards do not issue a ruling or penalty until after the hearing.
“At this time, the (New York Gaming) Commission cannot con-
firm or deny any positive tests,
” said Lee Park, a spokesman for
the commission.
Here is the text of Taylor’s correspondence to harnessrac-
ing.com:
“In order to dispel the rumor regarding a recent rash of
positive tests in New York State for the compound Glaucine,
I have been asked to clarify this situation.
“I have been retained by several trainers who have horses
in their care which have tested positive for a compound
identified as Glaucine. We are currently cooperating with
the New York Gaming Commission to investigate several
potential sources of possible contamination and have found
several common links between the parties charged.
“Glaucine is an alkaloid naturally present in several plant
species. In 2012 there were Glaucine positives in several
states. Fortunately, the various Racing Commissions were
able to trace them back to a common source, which proved
to be an environmental contaminant and the trainers were
absolved of any charges.
“We remain hopeful that we will be able to identify the source
of this contaminant and that my clients will be cleared of any
possible charges.
”
HOWARD A. TAYLOR, ESQUIRE

[LVGaryD]

Jeff Gural interviewed, has horses in training with both Burkes and Miller. Says he has spoken to both Burke and Miller-both vehemently deny allegations.

[careless hal]

Giwner: The facts behind the Glaucine drug rumors

Often enough Harness Racing has me scratching my head. Reading the potentially devastating “news” that prominent trainers Ron Burke and Julie Miller along with up to nine other conditioners had horses test positive for the substance Glaucine was somewhat surreal.

I say “news” because the facts in this case seem to be very sketchy from all sides. The article which broke the story provides very little in the way of concrete evidence though ultimately appears to have gotten the basics correct.

Is Glaucine, which has bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects, an illegal drug? I posed that question to the NY Gaming Commission and the answer is yes since it is not specifically permitted by the Commission’s rules.

The Gaming Commission would not confirm or deny whether any trainers were found to have used Glaucine or any other drug in this case. Director of Communications Lee Park relayed that the Commission does not comment on rumors but added, “When a positive of any substance is found, there is a process that does involve informing the trainer of the horse.”

After speaking with multiple people in the industry and doing additional research, the facts as I see them are as follows:

►         Some trainers were contacted by a racing official informing them that their horses tested positive for Glaucine.

►         No trainers have been fined or suspended at this point.

►         According to Harnessracing.com, attorney Howard Taylor was retained by several trainers to fight the allegations.

Burke, who led the sport in training wins (984) and earnings ($24,944,164) in 2015, did not return my calls.

Meadowlands Operator Jeff Gural, a vocal opponent in the fight against drugging horses, uses Julie Miller as one of his trainers and had the following comments:

“I believe at least 8 trainers had horses test positive for the drug but nothing official has come out,” said Gural via email while vacationing in St. John. “Both Julie and Ronnie called me to vigorously deny the allegations and they claim that there is clear science to indicate the presence of Glaucine in the environment, like feed or shavings, and they intend to fight these charges.

“I just sent an e-mail to NY asking for more information and who else is involved. Additionally, I told Brice (Cote, investigator) to ask around and see what he can find out and to see if Dr Wan could test the samples he has of Burke's horses and any horses I own that Julie trained to see if they show Glaucine."

Gural added that all trainers involved would be in good standing at The Meadowlands until the NY Gaming Commission issues an official announcement.

The bottom line as I see it is that we live in the United States where people are innocent until proven guilty. I find it particularly annoying to read posts on social media damning the accused when the facts are still so sparse. By the same token, if any trainers are found to have acted outside the law, they should be open to criticism and punishment. One step at a time.

[Editor's note: Below is a full statement just issued by Meadowlands Operator Jeff Gural on the issue.]

Although I am currently on vacation, I have been made aware that apparently several trainers at Yonkers Raceway including Julie Miller and Ron Burke have had horses test positive for glaucine. As you know, Ms. Miller trains several horses for me and Mr. Burke trains Gural Hanover, a horse of which I am a part-owner. Both trainers have already called me and vigorously denied the accusations.

At this point, I am unaware if any official action has been taken by the New York Gaming Commission (NYGC) or Yonkers Raceway. I have reached out to officials at the NYGC in an effort to receive more information about the nature of the tests so that we can do our own analysis and draw our own conclusions. I want to be clear; we plan to see what actions, if any, are taken by the NYGC and Yonkers Raceway before we do anything.

In addition, representatives of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) contacted me and have strongly suggested that all of the trainers involved be given their due process rights before any action is taken by my racetracks. The SBOANJ re-affirmed their support for our strong stance on integrity.

As such, until an official announcement has been made by the NYGC, Ms. Miller, Mr. Burke, and other trainers whose horses received positive tests that are otherwise in good standing at our three facilities, will be able to race their horses at the Meadowlands.

I have directed our own investigator to immediately reach out to Dr. Wan in Hong Kong to see if we can have the many samples we have previously taken from horses trained by Mr. Burke and horses I own that were trained by Ms. Miller to see if glaucine was present in any of those samples. I believe that New York will make the methods used to test for glaucine available to Hong Kong. We are also waiting to see if any other horses in New York test positive for glaucine to see if there is any common element involved, such as the same veterinarians, same feed, same shavings, or the same legitimate feed supplements.

 

[The Skipper]

I'd have a hard time thinking either would use or administer drugs illegally.  Will have to wait and see what evidence they have.

I believe this 100% ! I know Ronnie is a man with morals, just from 1 question he asked me. " How the hell did you guys get mixed up with DONG ?"  That's enough proof for me !

PS....I wish I were one of my friends for a day, just so I could hang out with me and feel how awesome that is !