THOROUGHBRED RACING : Trainer Facing Accusations After December Raid

Trainer Bruce Headley is facing an accusation by the California Horse Racing Board that syringes and an unauthorized medication were found in his Santa Anita barn during a multi-agency raid last Dec. 11.

Headley also faces misdemeanor charges in Santa Anita Municipal Court for the possession of 13 fighting cocks discovered in the same raid, which was conducted by the Arcadia Police Dept., agents of the State Humane Assn. and CHRB investigators.

After five pre-trial postponements requested by defense attorneys, Headley has a court hearing scheduled today in Monrovia on the misdemeanor counts. It is unclear, however, why the CHRB has waited nine months to take action on the alleged discovery of syringes and unauthorized medication, which was said to be Filybol, an anabolic steroid not known for use in racehorses.

Unless given permission from the board of stewards--as in the case of a diabetic requiring insulin shots--no one other than a licensed veterinarian is permitted to possess a syringe in a California race track stable area.

CHRB Executive Secretary Dennis Hutcheson, who assumed his post in August, said he expedited the accusation as soon as the full facts of the case came to his attention.

“It’s possible that my predecessor (Leonard Foote) was waiting for the case to be completed in the courts before bringing a CHRB action against Mr. Headley,” Hutcheson said. “I wanted to deal with it as soon as possible.”

Headley, one of the best-known trainers on the California circuit, claims no knowledge of the birds or the items listed in the CHRB accusation.

“I didn’t buy them, I don’t own them, I know nothing about them,” Headley said. “Unfortunately, though, the trainer-insurer rule holds me responsible for anything found in my barn. It’s just a shame that something like this comes along when I’ve had such a clean record.”

Headley has had no significant rulings against him in 31 years as a trainer, during which time he has handled such major stakes winners as Variety Road, Johnica, Stylish Winner and Silveyville while training for such respected clients as Kjell Qvale, Buddy Johnston and John Mabee. Files of the Assn. of Racing Commissioners International show Headley with only one minor medication violation, occuring in 1982.

“If anything, Headley goes to the other extreme when it comes to medicating his horses,” a local track veterinarian said. “He’s always been very reluctant to even use much Bute.”

Hutcheson said the case would be presented before an administrative law judge, and that a hearing date would be set soon. Penalties for such violations usually carry some kind of suspension or, in extreme cases, revocation of license.

Attorney Robert Forgnone will represent Headley in the racing board case.

“I’m still investigating the statements made in the accusations,” Forgnone said. “However, Bruce has assured me that he is innocent of any of the charges in the accusation. I trust that we’ll be able to establish evidence to support his position.”

Thad Ackel is giving Great Communicator another chance to prove he still belongs in major league racing.

Ackel, trainer and part owner of the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Turf hero, has shipped the gelding to Shreveport, La., for Saturday’s $200,000 Louisiana Downs Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on the turf.

Ackel has given the mount to Chris McCarron, who replaces Ray Sibille, Great Communicator’s jockey in his last 23 starts. Their last winning collaboration came in the Hollywood Turf Handicap in May 1989.

“I’ve been loyal to Ray for a long time, but it was time for a change,” Ackel said from Louisiana. “I just hope Chris rides him with a lot of faith and doesn’t pay too much attention to his recent past performance lines. He’s hitting the ground sound all the way around, his coat looks magnificent and he’s working better than I ever remember.”

Great Communicator, 7, is North America’s leading active money-winner with a bankroll of more than $2.8 million. However, he has lost all three of his 1990 starts without displaying a trace of the fight that characterized his victories. In his most recent outing, the Del Mar Handicap on Labor Day, he finished last in the field of 12.

“He tore off a front shoe in that race,” Ackel said. “I’m sure that’s when he lost his rhythm. Of course, I didn’t know it until afterwards. When I saw him coming through the stretch, I thought, ‘Uh-oh, he’s hurt himself again.’

“As far as I’m concerned, school’s not out yet on the old boy. I spent $6,000 to ship him here because I think he’s still got a winning race in him.”

Eddie Delahoussaye will be in New Jersey tonight to ride Silver Ending in the $300,000 Pegasus Handicap at the Meadowlands. Saturday, he will ride Gorgeous in the $200,000 Ruffian Handicap at Belmont Park, and Sunday he will be at Louisiana Downs to ride Cee’s Tizzy in the $1-million Super Derby.

“They’re gonna have to catch me to beat me,” Delahoussaye said of Cee’s Tizzy, the precocious son of Relaunch who turned in two near track-record performances during the Del Mar meeting.

“There may be people who say he can’t go the mile and a quarter, but he doesn’t know that.”

McCarron also will have a high profile in Louisiana this weekend. In addition to riding Great Communicator in the Louisiana Downs Handicap, he has the mounts on Haskell Handicap winner Restless Con in the Super Derby, Nikishka in the $200,000 River Cities Handicap Saturday and Fit to Scout in the $125,000 Marie DeBartolo Oaks Sunday.

Del Mar Oaks winner Slew of Pearls, Native Twine and Nijinsky’s Lover will challenge Fit to Scout, and defending champion Pleasant Variety and Escondido Handicap winner Rial are among those facing Great Communicator.

The California Horse Racing Board could have a ruling on the Del Mar Derby appeal next week.

After listening to testimony on the disqualification of victorious Tight Spot for interference in the Aug. 19 race, hearing officer Steve Schwartz submitted his proposed decision on Sept. 11.

The seven commissioners can vote to accept or reject his recommendation or remand it for further hearing. In the meantime, the $300,000 purse has not been paid.

Trainer Eddie Gregson reports that Sunset Handicap winner Petite Ile has recovered from an irritated shin and is nearly ready for her first workout after losing a month of training.

“There’s still a chance she could make it for the Yellow Ribbon,” Gregson said. The $400,000 Yellow Ribbon, Nov. 4 at Santa Anita, could end up an Eclipse Award showdown between Petite Ile and Reluctant Guest, winner of the recent Beverly D. Stakes in Chicago.

Strub Stakes winner Flying Continental will be shipped to New York for the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 6, according to trainer Jay Robbins.