After making a brief and successful return to harness racing in 2008, this week driver Walter Case, Jr. was denied a license to resume his career in Massachusetts.
In November 2008, Case resurfaced at Plainridge Racecourse and promptly picked up 10 wins in 25 starts after five years away from the sport. After serving a five-year sentence for felonious assault, Case successfully completed a 24-month probationary period earlier this year. Case then re-applied for licensing in Massachusetts in front of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission heard a tentative decision from Commissioner/Hearing Officer Gayle Cameron on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 that Walter Case should not be licensed as a harness racing driver," Case's lawyer Jeffrey Pocaro told Trot Insider. "Walter has 30 days to file an appeal of her recommendation. If an appeal is filed, the full commission votes on her decision. If no appeal is filed, after the 30 day appeal period has expired, then the full commission votes on her decision. At this time no decision has been made regarding an appeal."
Case sits sixth on harness racing's all-time win list with more than 11,038 wins.
Give him back his livelihood.
Give him back his livelihood.
I have known Walter for a
I have known Walter for a lifetime. Yes he has made his mistakes as we all have.. He has also paid for them all. I think he is a man with more talent then all the drivers combined here. I wish he could cross the border and come here he would give them all a run for their money. Walter I hope you the best and never give up some where some how you will get a license. I will keep you in my thoughts and if you come here believe me you will be the first name I put on all my horses.
Racing jurisdictions can and
Racing jurisdictions can and must police themselves. This individual has used up more than a couple "second" chances. He made his choice, now he must live with it.He obviously has no respect for the rules and regulations, so how can he be expected to adhere to them this time? He's talented and will do just fine in another industry if he can stay between their lines.
Mr. Case , I am not a big
Mr. Case , I am not a big owner....but I have a 2013 two year old stakes level horse you can drive in New York. Jim Salt Hill
Send poor Walter an ORC
Send poor Walter an ORC application, he would be an alterboy in Ontario.
Their are drivers in Ont.
Their are drivers in Ont. that have done things a lot worse than Wally, he's paid his dues, taken the tests. Let him apply in Ont., I can't imagine what that would do as far as wagering and attendance. Can you imagine the crowd at Clinton on a Sun afternoon if he was there. The handle would likely double as well.
Give the guys a break.
If Walter Case has taken all
If Walter Case has taken all the necessary steps to regain his license, then why shouldn't he be granted permission to drive again ? I don't think any sane person is going to try and validate the actions that got him into this predicament in the first place, but having said that, is he completely unworthy of mercy and an opportunity to show that he has learned his lesson ? I think not.
One certainly has to bear the
One certainly has to bear the consequences of their action and there is no excusing that behavior which I believe was tied to substance abuse. After serving his time in prison and having become sober, I think he should have one more chance; on a tight leash. A conditional license with drug testing. Any violation of the drug testing and/or racing violations regarding his 'foot', and the license gets pulled.
Besides that, how does someone get a license in 2008 and have the same evidence presented again and a different decision is made; it is like double jeopardy where you try someone in court who is found innocent and you keep retrying him on the same exact evidence until you you get the verdict you want.
Paid his debt to society yes,
Paid his debt to society yes, but he's had many many chances (between drug & racing violations) in his chosen profession. Strike 12 you're OUT! IMO. he's a PR nightmare for an already struggling industry. It's an environment that was bad for him also.
I do not condone what Case
I do not condone what Case did in his past nor do I know him persoanlly, but for the life of me I cannot understand how a man can do his time and then be denied a licence. He has paid his debt to society for the crime he committed and should be allowed to make a living, doing what he does best.
In this industry there have been many suspensions for people who have abused horses with medications as well as physically and yet they always are allowed back with open arms. There has even been horses killed by negligence on the part or their handlers and yet somehow they are allowed to continue on and be licenced without a problem. Drivers who have been suspended for fixing races are allowed back. There seems to be a double standard when it comes to rules in this industry and it needs to be corrected.
I would like to see one of the States get their collective heads out of their @#%*# and give Case a licence so he can get back to driving.
Gary Blackburn
He's paid his debt to
He's paid his debt to society. Absolutely no reason to deny the man a license.
Sad!!
Sad!!