Dutrow receives 10-year ban from New York Board

By: SPORTS NETWORK

 

Schenectady, NY (Sports Network) - Veteran trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. has been banned from training thoroughbreds by the State of New York for at least 10 years. The decision was handed down Wednesday by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

Meeting at its executive offices, the board ruled that Dutrow's training license be revoked and he cannot reapply for 10 years. He is also banned from all New York racetracks for 10 years.

Dutrow, who saddled Big Brown to win the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, was cited for having various rules violations in many jurisdictions and suspended or fined almost every year since 2000 for medication violations.

The New York investigation goes back to November 20 last year when a Dutrow horse had a tainted urine sample. The painkiller butorphanol showed up in a sample and a 90-day suspension followed.

Initially, the state's hearing officer Clemente Parente recommended a lifetime ban for Dutrow with a $50,000 fine. The trainer had appealed the 90-day suspension earlier this year and was able to continue training.

The board voted Wednesday to reduce the ban from permanent to 10 years with a $50,000 penalty. The ban will begin Tuesday, October 18 unless Dutrow appeals and seeks a stay of the decision.

"Today's ruling by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board in the case of Rick Dutrow is a clear indicator that regulators will not tolerate a pattern of disregard for the rules of racing by a licensee." commented NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. "Integrity is an indispensable part of thoroughbred racing, and all participants must abide by this principle in order to retain the privilege of participation."

Dutrow, a Maryland-native, served a 60-day suspension in 2005 after two of his horses tested positive for banned substances and for claiming a violation.