One of the country's leading harness drivers has been suspended from participating in the sport after he was charged with two counts of match (race) fixing. More Harness Racing Drivers Suspended videos. Trial Driver and Re. There have been multiple circumstances identified whereby a trainer has been disqualified or suspended under the Australian Harness Racing.

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POMPANO BEACH - Harness driver Bruce Ranger, admitting to investigators from the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering that he had a small problem with cocaine, was suspended from racing for 3 1/2 months after traces of the drug were found in his car at Pompano Harness Track on March 28. Both Bob Rosenberg, the division`s director, and chief investigator David Boyd said that Ranger, a former winner of the Peter Haughton Memorial Award as the track`s most promising young driver, was suspended through July 14 after a small amount of cocaine was discovered in his car during a routine spot check in the drivers` parking lot.

According to the report filed by Boyd, he and investigator Skip Winston followed Ranger to the drivers` parking lot, identified themselves and proceeded to search Ranger`s car. Among the items seized during the search, which lasted about 35 minutes, were a black plastic tray with a white powder residue on its surface, a mirror with orange borders that also had white powder residue and a small plastic bag with white powder residue. Tests conducted at the division determined that the powder was cocaine.

Boyd reported that he questioned Ranger on how often he used cocaine, to which Ranger responded that he used it once a week. Later that evening, according to Boyd`s report, Pompano`s Executive Vice President and General Manager Harold Duris asked Ranger when he last used cocaine. Ranger stated ``last night.`` Boyd`s report further stated that at the time of the search, Ranger admitted he used cocaine about once a week and admitted he had a small problem. Boyd`s report continued, ``Ranger stated that he had not used any drugs that night (of the search), however, his eyes were extremely bloodshot and the pupils dilated and failed to react to the light. This investigator (Boyd) asked Ranger if he would take a urine test and he (Ranger) stated that he would not.``. Rosenberg said that the check was a routine inspection held at various times at all the state`s pari-mutuel sites.

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``We have checks at the different pari-mutuel establishments from time to time, and one of our investigators found a small residue of cocaine in Bruce`s car,`` Rosenberg said. ``Had there been a large amount of cocaine, we would have notified the state attorney`s office at once.

But because the cocaine problem is so prevalent down here and because the state attorney`s office has larger cases to handle, we didn`t feel we had to bring them in. The amount of cocaine we`re talking about wouldn`t even make up a line. ``Still, it was enough to convince us that Bruce had used cocaine before. We were able to suspend him immediately, and part of this whole thing is that Bruce will be available for random drug testing from now on.`` According to Boyd, the suspension excludes Ranger from competing or even being on the grounds at racetracks around the nation and in Canada. If caught on track grounds during his suspension, Boyd said that Ranger will be immediately arrested for trespassing, and crimminal charges on the cocaine possession may be pursued. According to Duris, Ranger was suspended immediately on an emergency ruling by the pari-mutuel division.

``He had the right to make an appeal,`` Duris said, ``but as far as I know, he never called for one.`` ``(Ranger) accepted the suspension because of the residue of cocaine found in his car,`` said Fort Lauderdale attorney Norman Rose, who represented Ranger. ``The suspension is over July 15.`` Duris added that this may be the impetus for a future drug screening program at Pompano Park. ``At this stage of the game, total testing of the drivers almost has to be done,`` Duris said. ``There`s a bill in Tallahassee right now for total testing, but I don`t think it is going to pass.

But I think it is essential that we work with the horsemen`s group for some kind of program here.``?pro harness racing.