New Mexico: The Sport of Bureaucrats

When federal agents seize property in drug cases, the Government must maintain it in good condition. But what happens when the confiscations include a couple of Thoroughbred racehorses? To keep them in running trim, the U.S. Marshals Service has kept them running.

The two bay geldings were confiscated after agents arrested Larry Renick of Killeen, Texas, in July 1985 for illegally operating a stimulant-producing lab. Fortunately, some $2 million in other assets was also seized, since the horses have turned out to be almost total losers. Flint Fire finished next to last in a field of eight last week at the New Mexico State Fair. Golden Parachute finished dead last in a race two weeks ago. The horses' combined purses this year: $7,309. The money went into the U.S. Marshals Service Assets Forfeiture Fund, which will be further enriched when the horses are sold at auction next month.