‘I’m Trying To Help Make It Better’: Adrienne Hall Speaks Out After Testifying At Fishman Trial, Losing USTA Membership

Embattled harness-racing owner Adrienne Hall spoke to Harness Racing Update this week to give her side of the story. The owner testified on Jan. 28 in the federal trial of Dr. Seth Fishman (who was later found guilty), admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs on her horses, and subsequently had her membership in the United States Trotting Association revoked.

New Jersey's Meadowlands Racetrack owner Jeff Gural issued a press release on Feb. 3 stating that Hall's horses would continue to be allowed to race at his track: “We disagree with the USTA decision, and we applaud Ms. Hall for coming forward. To penalize those who testify for the prosecution will only serve to further the already existing notion that 'saying something will only lead to problems for yourself.'”

Hall told HRN that she was not forced to testify, but instead volunteered in order to help “clean up the business.” She explained that Fishman provided her with free samples which were not properly labeled or were just color-coded, and told her the medications would help the horses. During the month Hall said she used Fishman's products, one of her horses posted a victory at Pompano Park (he had also dropped in class and was the second choice in the field).

“The whole thing made me uncomfortable,” Hall told HRN. “I didn't think it was dangerous. I knew it was against the rules. I wasn't supposed to be administering anything like that to my horses and I broke the rules.”

The New Jersey Racing Commission is investigating Hall, according to HRN, and that investigation will determine her ability to continue to race in the state.

Hall has struggled with the social media response to her testimony.

“This whole thing has been absolutely brutal on me, when in reality, I'm trying to help make it better,” Hall told HRN. “These guys can say whatever they want about me, I don't care. I had more balls than any of them to do what I did.”