Harvey A. Swartz

The licensee appealed a Stewards' ruling declaring him ineligible to receive an apprentice jockey's weight allowance.

The licensee had applied for a medical extension past the three-year deadline under Rule 30.18, but was mistakenly granted an extension due to a clerical error by Commission officials.

The Panel accepted the appeal, ruling that although the Stewards were correct in their interpretation of the rule, the licensee would be permitted to ride as an apprentice until June 15, 2010, because of the officials' error.

The appellant, a thoroughbred trainer, appealed a Stewards' Ruling suspending him for 180 days for forging the owner's signature on a foal certificate to transfer ownership of a horse to himself.

The appellant claimed the owner had abandoned the horse to him due to unpaid training bills, but admitted to the forgery.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal but varied the penalty by extending the stay of the suspension from 90 to 150 days, citing extreme personal, family, and financial stress as major mitigating factors.

A jockey appeared before the Ontario Racing Commission after testing positive for a prohibited substance for the second time within 24 months.

The Administration sought a three-month suspension and a one-year probation, while the licensee requested a one-month suspension.

The Commission found that the licensee had an underlying alcohol problem that led to drug use.

The Commission ordered a full suspension for two months, followed by a one-month suspension on weekends, and a one-year probationary period with mandatory drug testing and rehabilitation program requirements.

The appellants, thoroughbred owners, appealed a Stewards' Ruling that disqualified their horse from a first-place finish because they were unlicensed at the time of the race.

The Ontario Racing Commission allowed the appeal in part, quashing the disqualification and restoring the original order of finish so purse monies could be distributed.

However, the Commission fined each appellant $5,000 and placed their licences on probation until the fines were paid.

Thoroughbred owner Lynda Elliot-Griem appealed a decision of the Ontario Racing Industry Board of Appeal, which upheld the Stewards' decision to disqualify her horse from first to eighth place due to interference caused by the jockey.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal.

The appellants, thoroughbred owners and trainers, appealed a Stewards' ruling denying their protest of a race outcome.

They alleged the winning horse carried less weight than required.

The Commission found that a typographical error in the condition book caused confusion, but the winning horse carried the correct weight according to the official Stakes book.

The Commission refused the appeals, noting that disqualifying the horse would constitute an undue hardship and would not be in the best interests of racing.

The appellants, a thoroughbred trainer and an owner, appealed suspensions and fines imposed by the Stewards for their alleged involvement in the hidden ownership of a racehorse.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the owner's appeal, finding clear evidence of his involvement in an unregistered partnership and hidden ownership.

However, the Commission granted the trainer's appeal, concluding there was insufficient evidence to prove he knew of the hidden ownership arrangement.

Thoroughbred Owner/Trainer Tom Marino appealed a ruling of the Thoroughbred Industry Appeal Board that upheld the Stewards' decision not to disqualify the horse BARBELLA for alleged interference during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal after hearing testimony from stewards, jockeys, and owners.

A thoroughbred trainer appealed a Stewards' Ruling that suspended him for nine months and fined him $5,000 after his horse tested positive for prohibited substances.

The Ontario Racing Commission granted the appeal but declared the horse unplaced for all purposes except pari-mutuel wagering.

The Commission also ordered the trainer to pay a $1,000 penalty for raising frivolous issues regarding the Official Chemist's Certificate of Positive Analysis.

Rexdale Stables and John Cardella appealed a ruling of the Thoroughbred Industry Appeal Board, which found that a jockey's whip contacted the nose of another horse, violating TB Rule 11.09.2.

The Board had amended the official order of finish to place the offending horse second.

The Ontario Racing Commission panel heard evidence from the steward, owners, and jockeys, and dismissed the appeal by a majority decision, confirming the amended order of finish.

The appellant, an apprentice jockey, appealed a Stewards' ruling that suspended him for 30 days for riding in an unsafe manner during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard testimony from the stewards and other jockeys.

The Commission dismissed the appeal and confirmed the 30-day suspension.

The appellants, thoroughbred owners, appealed the Ontario Racing Industry Board of Appeal's decision upholding the Stewards' disqualification of their horse for interference during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard testimony from the Senior Steward, jockeys, and a trainer.

The Commission dismissed the appeal and upheld the disqualification, providing oral reasons.