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

IN THE MATTER OF STANDARDBRED OWNER/DRIVER/TRAINER

MIKE HILLIS

Standardbred Owner/Driver/Trainer Mike Hillis (E24314) appealed the unanimous decision of the Ontario Racing Industry Board of Appeal of November 14, 2003, disallowing his appeal of Judges' Ruling Number SB 27610, wherein he was suspended from driving for three days for violation of Rule 22.05(a) of the Rules of Standardbred Racing while driving the horse JUST DO IT ROMEO in the 6th race at Hanover Raceway on September 20, 2003. JUST DO IT ROMEO finished 1^st and was placed 8^th.

On February 3, 2004, Chair Lynda Tanaka, Commissioners Bernard Brennan, DVM, and Patricia Bullock of the Ontario Racing Commission convened to hear the appeal.

Jean Marc McKenzie appeared on behalf of Mr. Hillis and Tim Snell appeared on behalf of the Administration.

Upon hearing the evidence of Bob Hanenberg, Brent Vincent, Mike Hillis and Bruce Richardson, upon reading the exhibits and upon hearing the submissions of the parties, the Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal.

The reasons for decision form part of the transcript of the hearing.

DATED this 5^th day of February 2004.

BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION

Jean Major

Executive Director