WEATHERFORD (1080 KRLD) - The Parker County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety have arrested nine people suspected of operating an illegal horse racing track in in Springtown.
Deputies raided the track over the weekend after an investigation that lasted several weeks. The Parker County Sheriff's Office says more than 1,000 people were at the track to watch the races, but no spectators were arrested.
Most of the suspects taken into custody have been charged with violating the state's Racing Act. "The Racing Act was established in order to keep horses from racing more than once in a 24-hour period," Sheriff Larry Fowler said. "Most of the horses and jockeys were found to be racing twice in the same weekend. These laws were created to protect them."
Investigators also found several syringes and drug paraphernalia that are being tested for banned substances that can be used in horse racing. Deputies also found illegal shocking devices that can be used to enhance a horse's performance during a race.
The Texas Animal Health Commission conducted inspections on dozens of horses and found most did not have the proper health records.
The Parker County Sheriff's Office identified the suspected head of the illegal racing operation as Yesenia Garza, 41, of Arlington.