Trainer Greg Tracy and his brother and assistant, James “Jim” Tracy, have been issued six-month suspensions after a routine search by Louisiana State Police at Delta Downs turned up the following in their tack room: 59 bottles of injectable medications, 352 hypodermic needles, 256 syringes, and 75 packs of Albuterol Sulfate inhalation solution. Nine syringes with clear liquid were sent to Louisiana State University for testing.
The search, conducted on Feb. 4, 2023, led to a hearing conducted with three stewards on March 1, according to rulings posted on the Association of Racing Commissioners International website. Jim Tracy and Sgt. Dallas Brasseaux attended in person, while Greg Tracy and an attorney only referred to in the ruling as “Moak” attended via phone. Moak advised the Tracy brothers not to answer any questions; stewards introduced the state police report into evidence and suspended both Greg and Jim Tracy for six months, from March 5, 2023, through Sept. 4, 2023.
Each was granted an appeal on March 9, and Greg Tracy started two horses at the Fair Grounds on Sunday, March 12, finishing third and fourth in the first and fifth races, respectively.
Tracy is a veteran Thoroughbred trainer with over 1,700 wins, having begun his career in 1982. He was a finalist for Canada's Sovereign Award for Outstanding Trainer in 2014 (won by Mark Casse), and his best runner was Taiaslew, winner of the Grade 3 Alberta Derby in 2003.
Louisiana Racing Commission executive director Charles Gardiner III told the Paulick Report that six months is the maximum sentence that can be given by stewards before cases are referred to the entire commission. In this instance, the case has been referred to the commission for further review.
The commission contracts with the Louisiana State Police for security and for backstretch searches; it does not have its own investigative force.
Gardiner also said the appeals were granted to the Tracy brothers because if they were denied, the commission would have to host a hearing with all the commissioners within 10 days, which is rarely feasible.
According to Horse Racing Alberta, three Tracy brothers (Greg, Jim, and Ray Jr.) were raised on the racing circuit with Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds on the fair circuit in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota. They transitioned to Thoroughbreds, chasing larger purses, and the Tracys moved to the nearest Thoroughbred track in Calgary. When the horses moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Greg Tracy followed, while Jim went to Pennsylvania and Ray, Jr. went to Washington and later Iowa. Jim Tracy's last start as a trainer was at Canterbury Park in 2021, while Ray Tracy Jr.'s most recent start was in 2020 at Fair Grounds.
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