IN THE MATTER OF THE RACING COMMISSION ACT, S.O. 2000, c. 20;

AND IN THE MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF

THOROUGHBRED TRAINER ALEXANDER BANKUTI

RULING

Thoroughbred trainer Alexander Bankuti appealed the Stewards’ decision of May 12, 2001 (Ruling 2001-101) wherein he was fully suspended for sixty (60) days and fined the sum of $1,500 for violation of Rules 15.06.1(a) and (b) of the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing as a result of a positive test for the prohibited Class III drug 2-(1-HYDROXYETHYL) PROMAZINE SULFOXIDE a METABOLITE OF ACEPROMAZINE taken from the horse PRINCESS OF YORK which raced in the 2^nd^ race at Woodbine Racetrack on November 19, 2000.

On December 13, 2001, Vice Chair Herbert Bryant and Commissioners Thomas Deacon and Ernest Nock of the Ontario Racing Commission convened to hear the appeal.

Michael Sherrard, legal counsel, appeared on behalf of Alexander Bankuti and Counsel Don Bourgeois appeared for the Administration.

Upon hearing the testimony of Edwin Hall, Thoroughbred Supervisor, Steward Nelson Ham and Alexander Bankuti, upon reading the exhibits filed, upon hearing submissions on behalf of the parties, the Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal.

The suspension shall start on March 23, 2002 and continue for a further 59 days. The fine of $1,500 shall be paid on or before the last day of suspension.

The Commission gave oral reasons for its decision which are part of the transcript.

DATED at Toronto this 14^th^ day of December, 2001.

BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION_________________________

Jean Major

Executive Director