New York State Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini today announced that three licenced trainers involved in harness racing are facing strong sanctions after investigations turned up evidence linking them to the 'milk-shaking' of race horses.
The disciplinary measures were unanimously imposed by Chairman Sabini and Board Members Daniel D. Hogan and John B. Simoni following their review of information implicating the trainers in the administration of excessive levels of TCO2 to horses under their control.
"The integrity of racing is a top priority for this Board and those who flout our medication rules are going to have to accept the consequences of their actions," Chairman Sabini said after the Board rejected appeals filed by the three trainers.
Two trainers – Robert W. Sumner, 47, of Windsor, Conn., and Timothy D. Case, 41, of Middletown, N.Y. – are facing five-year suspensions of their state racing licences in connection with separate incidents.
The penalties against Mr. Case stemmed from alleged TCO2 violations involving a horse called R U Bartlett at Monticello Raceway in February 2008 and a horse called Fox Valley Lovebug at Yonkers Raceway in November 2007. The Board also directed Mr. Case to pay a total of $7,500 in fines.
The penalties against Mr. Sumner grew out of improper levels of TCO2 found in a horse called Arts Mattjesty in April 2008 and February 2008, and in a horse called Sporty Nate in February 2008, all involving incidents at Yonkers Raceway. Mr. Sumner is facing a total of $8,500 in fines.
The third trainer facing discipline, Keith J. Kash, 29, of Medina, Ohio, faces a one-year suspension after the Board found he tampered with Mercedes Killean, a quarantined horse at Buffalo Raceway, in April 2008. An excessive level of TCO2 had been found in that horse. Mr. Kash is facing a total of $2,000 in fines.
Chairman Sabini and Board Members Simoni and Hogan thanked George Maylin, a Cornell University professor who directs the Board's equine drug testing program, and members of the Racing and Wagering Board staff who assisted in the investigations.
(New York State Racing and Wagering Board)
As long as there is
As long as there is racing..there's going to be the one's(trainers & vet's) who'll try to getaway with anything possibly human to to win a race.Suspensions are long overdue.
Let's see how they like their livelihood taken from them all of a sudden
Enough of the slap on the
Enough of the slap on the wrist punishments, The people who do this are stealing from the puplic. Let me say it again.....They are stealing why can't everybody see this I think the committe should be suspended and fined for giving thieves a chance to steal again.
couldn't agree more with Dan
couldn't agree more with Dan the mailman
life time suspensions...end of story!
why did it take so long?
why did it take so long?
This is the problem in
This is the problem in racing and I guess all sports. Too many next chances. If you are convicted of milkshaking a horse there should be a lifetime ban. NO EXCEPTIONS. A few lifetime bans and maybe it will put and end to this. I'm so tired of seeing crap like this and other voliations that are intended to fix a race go with minor suspensions and / or fines. We have people looking on how to improve the image and integrity of racing. Maybe its time to show the public that Harness Racing is finished with cheaters and clean up the sport. TAKE A STAND AND DRAW THE LINE NOW!!!!
Another black mark but why
Another black mark but why so long to the justice
nov 2007 and Feb 2008 infractions ?
Yet another deep bruise for
Yet another deep bruise for harness racing. Maybe it's time for a two strike rule. One bad step and you're on probation and a second means you're out of the business. Some will come in here to defend these trainers only to further highlight the problems harness racing is facing in a modern competitive entertainment world. Perception is reality for gamblers, when the guy that puts his money down doesn't feel he's getting a fair shot, he'll go where he feels the playing field is fair. Casino, lottery, whatever.
Next we'll hear the familiar yet tired refrain, " whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty"? The test result says guilty. The rest is just tired support for those with a will to steal.
Wow, another Case in the
Wow, another Case in the suspension list.