J. Garthson

Standardbred owner David Gage requested a hearing regarding the selection of starters for the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final following a dead heat for second place in an elimination heat.

The Ontario Racing Commission panel found that while the judges' decision to draw lots from all second-place finishers was open to them based on the rules, the general understanding of horsemen dictated that the draw should only be between the two horses in the dead heat.

The panel directed a new draw between the two dead-heated horses.

The appellant, a standardbred driver, appealed a decision affirming a 3-day driving suspension and a change in race placings for allegedly causing interference during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission panel heard evidence from the allegedly aggrieved driver, who testified that his horse was not impeded by the appellant.

The panel found that the appellant did not cause interference, allowed the appeal, quashed the penalty, and restored the original race placings.

The appellant, a standardbred owner and trainer, requested a hearing to review the Executive Director's order of immediate suspension and notice of proposed order to revoke his licence.

The appellant had committed a significant error in judgment and de facto fraud on the racing industry by registering three-year-old horses as two-year-olds.

However, the panel noted that the appellant had voluntarily come forward to reveal the truth and presented substantial character evidence.

The panel quashed the Executive Director's proposed order and substituted a full suspension of all the appellant's licences for a period of three years.

The licensee appealed the penalty imposed for violating Rules 10.01(a) and (b) of the Rules of Standardbred Racing after being found in possession of injectables and syringes at Mohawk Raceway.

The licensee admitted liability but argued the penalty was excessive compared to recent precedents.

The Ontario Racing Commission allowed the appeal in part, reducing the fine from $2,000 to $1,000 and staying 20 days of the 30-day suspension for a period of 12 months, contingent on no further violations.