Texas bush track raided for illegal horse races; arrests include 5 illegal aliens
Published 5 hours ago
Texas bush track raided for holding illegal horse races; arrests include 5 illegal immigrants
By Robert Gearty | Fox News
Ten people -- including five illegal immigrants -- were arrested after Texas authorities raided a bush track they said was hosting illicit horse races in front of large crowds.
The raid took place Sunday at Yesenia’s Ranch in Springtown, a small town near Fort Worth, after an undercover officer “observed spectators openly betting on the outcome of the races” at the unlicensed track, according to court papers.
Investigators seized large syringes and drug paraphernalia during the raid, Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said in a news release.
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Starting gate at Yesenia Ranch bush track raided by Texas authorities Sunday. Seized were large syringes, drug paraphernalia and buzzers used to shock horses. (Parker County Sheriff's Office)
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“Some of the syringes were empty and some were full,” Fowler said. “The substances are being tested for illegal substances, potentially harmful to equines. It allows a horse to be pushed to the limits under a race, but can cause serious health conditions and even result in the death of a horse.”
Also seized were illegal buzzers used to shock a horse into running faster, the news release said.
Among those arrested was the owner of the ranch, Yesenia Garza, 41, of Arlington who was charged with operating a race track without a license, Parker Deputy Danie Huffman said.
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Garza declined comment, KXAS-TV reported.
Authorities said Sunday’s racing at the track had attracted a crowd of more than 1,000 people.
The track didn’t appear to be a big secret, even promoting its racecards on Facebook.
Eight of the others who were arrested were charged with violating the state’s statute regulating horse racing.
The tenth was arrested on outstanding warrants from another county.
Owners of the Quarter Horses that were being raced were allowed to keep their horses, Fowler said.
He said some of the horses were being raced more than once a day, which is illegal in Texas.
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