Major Fines In New York

Published: January 27, 2009 07:08 pm EST

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)

Tags
Have something to say about this? Log in or create an account to post a comment.