During the afternoon of Friday, May 20, the Ontario Racing Commission released its ruling in regard to the appeal of Elizabeth Thompson and James Barton
.
Owner Thompson and driver/trainer/owner Barton had filed an appeal and requested a hearing against, inter alia,
- The decision of the track judges on September 8, 2007 at Woodstock Raceway to find Barton in violation of Standardbred Rule 3.09.01(c), (no written contract), as trainer for the horse Sound Relation and to impose a fine of $200, and
- A previous decision of ORC Executive Director John Blakney that no further proceedings are appropriate against the decision of Bruce Murray, vice president of Standardbred Racing at Woodbine Entertainment Group, to exclude the horse Fans Phantom from a September 7, 2007 race at Mohawk Racetrack.
On Wednesday, May 11, 2011, a panel of the ORC consisting of chair Rod Seiling was convened to hear the matter. Thompson was unrepresented. James Whelan provided assistance to Thompson. Barton was not in attendance at the hearing. Anthony Williams appeared as counsel for the administration.
On hearing the evidence of Charles Beirnes, investigator, and of Charles Fraleigh, senior standardbred judge, and upon reading the exhibits filed, and upon hearing the submissions of Thompson, Whelan and counsel for the administration, the commission decided to dismiss the appeal.
To view the ORC ruling in its entirety, click here.
(With files from the ORC)