ORC 2006

The appellant, a thoroughbred jockey, appealed a $500 fine imposed by the Stewards for excessive use of the whip and raising his whip over his head during a race.

The Commission heard evidence from several jockeys regarding the ambiguity of the whipping rules and the pressure to ride aggressively to win.

The Commission found that the appellant repeatedly whipped the horse with almost no break between blows and frequently raised his hand above his shoulder, clearly violating the rules.

The appeal was dismissed and the fine confirmed.

The licensee, a thoroughbred trainer and owner, appealed a stewards' ruling that suspended him for conducting business in a dishonest manner.

The licensee had deposited a cheque belonging to a co-owner into his personal account and failed to inform her or pay the owed amount until after a stewards' hearing was called.

At the Commission hearing, the parties presented a joint submission on penalty.

The Commission accepted the joint submission, ordering a suspension for the remainder of the 2006 Fort Erie meet, a 30-day suspension at the start of the 2007 meet, and a $500 fine.

The Ontario Racing Commission held a hearing regarding a thoroughbred licensee who tested positive for THC for a second time within 24 months and attempted to provide an adulterated urine sample.

The licensee admitted to using a herbal remedy from Jamaica for kidney stones, knowing it caused positive tests.

The Commission suspended the licensee for one year, with a portion stayed subject to conditions, and imposed a $1,500 fine.

The Ontario Racing Commission convened to review applications for 2007 live and intertrack race dates.

After reviewing written submissions from applicants and the public, the Commission approved the requested live standardbred, thoroughbred, and quarter horse race dates, as well as simulcast dates for various racetracks across Ontario.

All post times were approved as applied for.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard applications from three racetracks for 2007 live and intertrack race dates.

The Commission first denied the Ontario Harness Horse Association's application for party status, finding it was not directly affected by the racing schedule.

The Commission approved New Hiawatha Horse Park's application for 52 live race dates and 364 intertrack dates, subject to conditions regarding its tax appeals.

However, the Commission declined to approve the applications for Windsor Raceway and Flamboro Downs, finding their proposed substantial reductions in race dates were not in the public interest or the best interests of racing, and directed both tracks to file fresh applications with additional race dates.

The Ontario Racing Commission convened to review race date applications for Windsor Raceway and Flamboro Downs.

The Commission approved 111 live standardbred race dates for Windsor Raceway and 225 for Flamboro Downs, along with 364 simulcast dates for each.

All post times were approved as applied for.

The Ontario Racing Commission convened to review the race date application submitted by Baymount Incorporated for Quinte Exhibition and Raceway.

The Commission approved 17 live standardbred race dates and 364 simulcast dates for 2007, with all post times approved as applied for.

The Ontario Racing Commission reviewed applications from Flamboro Downs and Windsor Raceway for their 2007 live and simulcast race dates.

Despite opposition from the Ontario Harness Horse Association, which sought to maintain the previous year's number of live race dates, the Commission approved Flamboro Downs for 225 live race dates and Windsor Raceway for 111 live race dates, along with 364 simulcast days for both.

The Commission directed both tracks to provide detailed strategic marketing and business plans to address declining revenues and customer service issues.

The appellant, a standardbred owner and trainer, appealed a judges' ruling that imposed a $5,000 fine and a one-year suspension following a positive test for elevated TCO2 in his horse.

The Commission dismissed the appeal on the merits and convened a hearing on penalty.

Noting the appellant's significant history of medication violations, including a third positive test in three years, the Commission varied the penalty, increasing the fine to $7,500 and the suspension to two years.

The appellant, a thoroughbred trainer, appealed a stewards' ruling fining him $1,500 for racing a horse without its required blinkers.

The trainer claimed the horse went berserk in the paddock and he was unaware the blinkers were not on until the horse was at the post.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal, finding the trainer had ample opportunity to notify officials of the equipment issue.

The Commission further determined the appeal was frivolous and imposed an additional $250 fine.

The appellant, a thoroughbred licensee, requested a hearing regarding a Director's Order of Immediate Suspension.

On consent of the parties, the Ontario Racing Commission stayed the immediate suspension and granted the appellant his license subject to strict conditions, including no contact with Commission Stewards or certain witnesses, and restricted access to Woodbine Racetrack premises, pending a final hearing.