ORC 2011

The appellant, a thoroughbred trainer, appealed a Stewards' ruling that disqualified his horse from 2nd to 7th place for causing interference in the stretch run.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard testimony from a steward, a jockey, and the appellant.

The Commission allowed the appeal and restored the horse's original 2nd place finish.

The appellants appealed a 3-day driving suspension and the placement of their horse from first to third for causing interference during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission panel reviewed the video replay and testimony, finding that interference did occur as the driver initiated hooking of the arches.

However, given the closeness of the call and the difficulty in adjudicating the interference, the panel waived the 3-day driving suspension while upholding the horse's placement.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed the penalty for a positive test for Levamisole and Aminorex in a horse he trained.

The appellant argued that he relied on his veterinarian, who was unaware that the medication was prohibited in Canada, as it was legal in New York.

The Ontario Racing Commission found sufficient mitigating factors, including the appellant's honesty, acceptance of responsibility, and reliance on his veterinarian, to vary the penalty.

The suspension was reduced to one year with eight months stayed, and the fine was reduced from $5,000 to $4,000.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a $200 fine imposed by the Judges for needlessly allowing another horse to pass on the inside during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission allowed the appeal and rescinded the fine, finding that while the appellant's efforts to keep his horse on the rail may have been insufficient, they were not non-existent, and he did not 'needlessly' allow the other horse to pass.

The licensee, a thoroughbred owner, appealed a Director's ruling that suspended his licence for 12 months, imposed an $8,000 fine, and placed him on probation with conditions regarding the health and welfare of his horses.

Following mediation, the parties presented an Agreed Statement of Facts and Joint Submission on Disposition to the Ontario Racing Commission panel.

The panel accepted the joint submission, ordering a 12-month suspension (fully stayed), a $16,000 donation to Equine Guelph, $34,000 in costs to the Commission, and probation until October 2013 with conditions allowing unannounced random searches of his stabling areas.

The appellants, a standardbred owner and a driver/trainer/owner, appealed a $200 fine for failing to have a written contract for a horse and the decision of the ORC Executive Director not to take further action against a track official who scratched their horse from a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal, finding that the trainer admitted to not having a written contract in violation of the rules, and that the appellants failed to exercise their rights of appeal in a timely manner regarding the scratched horse.

Three standardbred drivers appealed fines imposed by the Judges for failing to drive when programmed at Grand River Raceway.

Anthony MacDonald was fined $200, James MacDonald $50, and Billy Davis Jr. $150.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard the appeals and denied them, upholding the fines.

However, the Commission directed its administration to work with race offices to ensure driver changes are scheduled at more coordinated times.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a Notice of Proposed Order issued by the Director of the Ontario Racing Commission suspending his licence for 5 years and imposing a $10,000 fine.

The suspension was based on the appellant making false statements on licence applications regarding pending charges and past suspensions, as well as attempting to race a horse that was unfit and on the long-term veterinarian's list.

The Commission confirmed the Director's decision to suspend the appellant for 5 years, finding his actions demonstrated willful blindness and a lack of integrity, but reduced the fine to $5,000 on compassionate grounds.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a three-day driving suspension issued by the Judges for bearing out and causing interference by hooking the wheel of another horse during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard the appeal and reviewed the video evidence.

The Commission found that the appellant initiated the contact by moving out and hooking the other horse's wheel, causing the interference.

The appeal was denied and the three-day suspension was upheld.

Standardbred licensee Randy Waples appealed a 10-day driving suspension issued by the Judges for causing an accident during a race.

At the hearing, the licensee withdrew his appeal, explaining he initially appealed to delay the suspension so he could drive in upcoming major races.

The Commission accepted the withdrawal and confirmed the 10-day suspension.

The appellant, a standardbred driver, appealed a 5-day suspension for driving in a careless and/or reckless manner in violation of Rule 22.05.01(j) of the Rules of Standardbred Racing.

The Ontario Racing Commission allowed the appeal in part, finding that the appellant did not drive in a manner to intentionally cause interference with disregard to other drivers, but did cause interference while on a break.

The suspension was reduced from 5 days to 3 days.

The appellants, owners and trainers of standardbred horses, appealed a decision by the Program Administrator to open a rescheduled Ontario Sires Stakes event to all eligible horses.

The original event was cancelled due to extreme heat.

The Ontario Racing Commission allowed the appeal, ruling that because the event was rescheduled rather than cancelled, it should only be open to horses that were entered when the original box closed.

The Commission ordered a redrawing of post positions to allow horses to re-qualify if necessary.

The licensee appealed a Director's ruling that suspended his licence, imposed an $8,000 fine, and placed him on probation.

At the hearing, the parties proposed a consent order addressing procedural matters, including disclosure, witness statements, electronic hearings, and the adjournment of remaining motions.

The Panel accepted the proposed consent order, extended the stay of the suspension, and remained seized of the matter.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed the Judges' decision regarding the non-placing of a horse in a race at Woodbine Racetrack.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard testimony from the Judges and drivers, and reviewed video evidence.

The Commission found that the evidence supported the Judges' original decision and dismissed the appeal.