An investigation by the Asbury Park Press has revealed that 19 horses trained by either Jorge Navarro or Jason Servis have died at Monmouth Park since 2010. Servis and Navarro were among 27 people indicted last week by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York after an investigation into horse doping.
Twelve of the dead horses were trained by Navarro and seven by Servis. According to the Press, the 12 deaths out of the Navarro barn since 2012 are the most at Monmouth by any trainer over that period of time. Servis was second.
The Press reported that Servis and Navarro will plead not guilty when arraigned next week. Navarro faces two counts of “misbranding” the performance-enhancing drugs he allegedly used and Servis faces one. Each count has a maximum of five years in prison.
Navarro and Servis have dominated Monmouth racing over the last several years. During the 2019, 2018 and 2017 meets, Navarro was the leading trainer and Servis was second. Navarro has won seven straight training titles at Monmouth. In 2018, he set a single-season record at Monmouth with 85 wins.
The story focuses in on a gelding named Firm (Strong Mandate), who was claimed by Navarro at Gulfstream on Jan. 27, 2019. The horse alter raced twice at Monmouth and collapsed and died on the track following a June 15 race. According to the Press, the cause of death was never determined.
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