BALLSTON SPA---Five people have been indicted on charges that they used and trafficked banned performance enhancing drugs on horses at the Saratoga Harness Track and then bet on the horses and collected purse money.

All five have already been suspended from racing.

The indictment was unsealed Friday in Saratoga County Court and is the result of an investigation conducted by the State Police and the state Racing and Wagering board which found that the five individuals were administering epogen and snake venom, banned substances, to horses used in harness racing.

Father and son, William Barrack, 68, an owner, and Keith Barrack, 43, a groom, have been charged with two counts of first degree scheme to defraud, two counts of fifth degree conspiracy, three counts of interference with a domestic animal, a felony under the state Agriculture and Markets Law, and three counts of second degree tampering with a sports contest. The other charges are misdemeanors.

William Barrack has also been charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Three other people, Marc Mosher, 38, a groom at the track; harness owner Robert Moscone, 60, and groom Carl Forrester, 31, have been charged with two counts of fifth degree conspiracy.

The investigation is continuing, according to the Saratoga County district attorney's office, and most charges could be forthcoming.

All but Forrester had active licenses issued by the Racing and Wagering Board. Forrester's had expired in 2005. 3-30-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette