Brenda Walker

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a three-day driving suspension imposed for impeding the progress of another horse and causing it to go off stride during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission reviewed the video evidence and heard testimony, concluding that the appellant did drop down and make contact with the other horse's front legs.

The appeal was denied and the three-day suspension was upheld.

The appellant jockey appealed a three-day riding suspension imposed by the Stewards for interference during a race at Fort Erie Racetrack.

After reviewing the evidence and race footage, the appellant conceded that he had come in with his mount, causing another jockey to check his horse.

The Ontario Racing Commission denied the appeal and upheld the three-day suspension.

The appellant, a thoroughbred licensee, appealed two riding suspensions issued by the Stewards.

At the hearing, the appellant appeared unrepresented because his counsel was unable to attend.

The Ontario Racing Commission adjourned the hearing to a later date to allow the appellant to be properly represented by counsel.

The licensee, a thoroughbred owner, appealed a Director's ruling that suspended his licence for 12 months, imposed an $8,000 fine, and placed him on probation with conditions regarding the health and welfare of his horses.

Following mediation, the parties presented an Agreed Statement of Facts and Joint Submission on Disposition to the Ontario Racing Commission panel.

The panel accepted the joint submission, ordering a 12-month suspension (fully stayed), a $16,000 donation to Equine Guelph, $34,000 in costs to the Commission, and probation until October 2013 with conditions allowing unannounced random searches of his stabling areas.

The licensee appealed a Director's ruling that suspended his licence, imposed an $8,000 fine, and placed him on probation.

At the hearing, the parties proposed a consent order addressing procedural matters, including disclosure, witness statements, electronic hearings, and the adjournment of remaining motions.

The Panel accepted the proposed consent order, extended the stay of the suspension, and remained seized of the matter.

The trainer of the horse Fiddlers Patriot appealed a Stewards' ruling that disallowed a claim of foul against the horse Signature Red in the Highlander Stakes.

The appellant sought to have Signature Red disqualified and placed third, which would move Fiddlers Patriot to first place.

The Ontario Racing Commission panel reviewed video and photographic evidence and heard testimony from jockeys and stewards.

The panel found that any deviation by Signature Red was slight and did not constitute interference, and that the closing of the lane was caused by another horse bearing out.

The appeal was dismissed and the original order of finish was confirmed.

The Director of the Ontario Racing Commission ordered the immediate suspension of the licenses of standardbred drivers Kevin Wallis and Gene Piroski, alleging their participation in a race fixing conspiracy with a known gambler.

The Administration's case relied on circumstantial evidence, including wagering patterns, race video analysis by a racing judge, and hearsay statements from another driver.

The Commission found the race analysis evidence to be flawed and contradicted by independent experts, and the hearsay statements to be patently unreliable.

Concluding that the Administration failed to provide clear, cogent, and convincing evidence on a balance of probabilities, the Commission terminated the suspensions and rescinded the proposed orders.

Four members of the Woodbine Racetrack starting gate crew were suspended after refusing to provide breath samples for alcohol testing.

The applicants argued the breathalyzer machine was malfunctioning because it displayed a '999' code, which actually indicated a low battery.

The Ontario Racing Commission upheld the suspensions, finding that as 'safety sensitive personnel', the crew was required to provide samples at any time while engaged in their duties.

The applicants failed to establish a reasonable excuse for their refusal.

Each applicant was fined $100 and ordered to complete a substance abuse assessment.

The standardbred licensee appealed a Judges' Ruling that his horse did not qualify after making a break in a qualifier.

The licensee argued the horse should have been charted with a broken equipment symbol because it lost a shoe.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal, noting that the onus was on the owner/trainer to determine where the shoe fell off and provide that information to the Judges to establish that the lost shoe caused the break.

The appellant, a standardbred driver, appealed a 5-day suspension for driving in a careless and/or reckless manner in violation of Rule 22.05.01(j) of the Rules of Standardbred Racing.

The Ontario Racing Commission allowed the appeal in part, finding that the appellant did not drive in a manner to intentionally cause interference with disregard to other drivers, but did cause interference while on a break.

The suspension was reduced from 5 days to 3 days.

The appellants, owners of the horse 'Steady Stuart', appealed a Judges' Decision that placed their horse from first to fifth position due to interference leaving the starting gate.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard testimony from jockeys, owners, and trainers.

The Commission found that the interference was not incidental and was serious enough to warrant the placings.

The appeal was denied and the stewards' ruling was upheld.

A standardbred driver appealed a judges' ruling that placed his horse from 4th to 7th for causing interference while off stride.

The driver brought preliminary motions regarding disclosure and the absence of a specific judge, which the panel dismissed.

After reviewing race tapes and hearing testimony, the panel found that the driver's horse made a break and caused another horse to check and go off stride.

The appeal was disallowed and the placing was upheld.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a ruling suspending him for two years followed by two years of probation for committing an act of cruelty to a horse.

The horse was found lame with a horseshoe nail driven deep into its hoof, ultimately requiring euthanasia.

The Ontario Racing Commission panel reviewed circumstantial evidence, including the appellant's motive, opportunity, and expertise as a blacksmith, as well as his prior harassment of the horse's owner.

Applying the balance of probabilities standard, the panel concluded the appellant was responsible for the injury and denied the appeal.

The appellant, a standardbred driver, appealed a Judges Ruling that fined him $200 and suspended him for 3 days for allegedly using his whip from outside the confines of the race bike.

After reviewing the evidence and tapes, the Ontario Racing Commission found that the driver was inside the confines of the race bike, although close to going over.

The appeal was allowed.

Standardbred driver Jason Brewer appealed a 3-day suspension for causing interference in the stretch during a race at Woodbine Racetrack, in violation of the Rules of Standardbred Racing.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard testimony from the drivers involved and reviewed the race tape.

The Commission found that the appellant did get into another driver's wheel and could have waited before moving.

The appeal was dismissed and the 3-day suspension was upheld.

The appellant, a standardbred driver, appealed a ruling that fined him $200 and suspended him for three days for excessive use of the whip during a race, in violation of Rule 22.23.01(b) of the Rules of Standardbred Racing.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal, confirming the fine and suspension.

The Commission noted that a lack of knowledge of the rules cannot be used as a defence, as it is the participant's responsibility to be aware of all racing rules.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a 3-day driving suspension imposed by the Judges for violating SB Rule 22.05.01(a) by causing interference to another horse during a race at Kawartha Downs.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard testimony from the judge, starter, and another driver, and reviewed the race video.

The Commission found that the appellant's horse clipped the legs of another horse, causing it to break stride.

The appeal was denied and the 3-day suspension was upheld.

The appellants, a driver and a trainer, appealed a 3-day driving suspension imposed for causing interference during a horse race.

The Ontario Racing Commission reviewed the film evidence and heard testimony from the judges and the driver who suffered the interference.

The Commission found that the appellant crossed over in front of the other driver, causing the horse to break stride, and dismissed the appeal.

The licensee appealed a $300 fine and 5-day driving suspension for a rule violation involving improper urging of a horse.

At the hearing, the licensee requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Ontario Racing Commission accepted the request and directed the licensee to establish the suspension days to be served.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed the Judges' decision regarding the non-placing of a horse in a race at Woodbine Racetrack.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard testimony from the Judges and drivers, and reviewed video evidence.

The Commission found that the evidence supported the Judges' original decision and dismissed the appeal.