A two-year-old black Labrador, Shadow is New Jersey’s first-ever K-9 horse racing investigator, and is already proving to be a valuable tool in deterring licensees who might seek a competitive or wagering advantage by drugging race horses.
The Racing Commission has put Shadow on regular patrol at New Jersey racetracks, including Monmouth Park, Freehold Raceway and the New Meadowlands Racetrack. Earlier this year, Shadow made his first find, detecting the presence of a prohibited substance.
“A big part of the job for any regulatory and enforcement agency is to stay one step ahead of those who would seek to profit by breaking our laws and rules,” Grewal said. “Shadow is an incredible asset in that respect, because cheaters in horse racing can’t cheat without using prohibited substances, and he is specifically trained to sniff them out. Shadow is helping not only to protect horses, but to preserve the integrity of the horse racing industry throughout our state.”
Racing Commission Executive Director Judith A. Nason credits Shadow with having “vastly increased the Racing Commission’s investigatory ability,” and with helping to send a strong cautionary message to would-be horse dopers.
“One very important purpose of Shadow is to deter trainers or owners from even the thought of giving a prohibited substance to a horse,” said Nason.
“We believe Shadow will prove to be an efficient, cost-effective tool in catching and penalizing licensees who cheat,” Nason said. “The Racing Commission already has four human investigators. That’s eight boots on the ground. By adding Shadow, we now have 12 boots on the ground – although four of them are paws.”
For investigative reasons, Nason will not disclose details concerning what substances Shadow is able to detect. However, she confirms that he is trained to find a host of banned chemicals known to be used by cheaters, as well as related paraphernalia such as syringes and hypodermic needles.
“The people hiding drugs and needles have always had an intrinsic advantage, because it’s easier to conceal these things than to locate them,” said Nason. “But Shadow could turn out to be a true game-changer. Not only can he search a lot of territory very quickly, he can also detect banned substances in hiding places where we humans might not find them.”
Credit: Horse Racing Nation
But doesnt our attorney general support illegal activities
How much was spent on the training of such K9 and Officer, “profits” it’s supposed to recover, where was K9 destined to be assigned and trained prior to being trained for this. Sounds like a waste of money. Quality over quantity.
Yay Shadow!
Nothing wrong with use of K-9 But thought all horses where drug tested and waited in prior to race so is this for drugs in the Stables with all the illegal workers because of our great sanction state
Emily Madison Conway Cait Kirkpatrick
Rae Drews
Go to lakewood n sniff
Dave Phillips
Oh sure let illegals stay in our “sanctuary state” but enforce illicit substance use for horse races. Get your priorities straight Mr. “Attorney General”.
Ryan Anthony not the topic though. Not every topic can be attacked at once. That’s how people get stretched so thin occupationally shot don’t get done
Kick out all the illegals, then worry about stuff like this.
Hiding drugs under horse manure…? Could be a new thing….lol
Scanlan Tara funny
Why not use the dogs in schools, malls, amusement parks…how many citizen’s actually go to horse races? Get with the program! We have a major drug epidemic….young kids don’t gamble on horses!
Oh, and how about the thousand of dollars that people pay ….for those fraudulent lottery scratch offs….and where is all the money…that is used for winning tickets? I thought it was to fund education and help Seniors! Our taxes should not ever have to pay for education!
Catherine Bixenman-salesi every state does that
Poor dog has to sit next to that pile of 💩
Tell me this dogs face isn’t saying “ Really “ I have to sit next to this guy.
As a dog owner I find this ofensive and insulting making this dog sit next to this 🤡
Horse racing should be banned
I wonder if 100° air temps will hinder the dogs ability to sniff out drugs?
Wish it would bite the AG in his face.