Trainer Linda Rice told the Daily Racing Form Thursday that plans to appeal the three-year license revocation and $50,000 fine handed down by the New York State Gaming Commission on Monday for “actions inconsistent with and detrimental to the best interest of racing generally and corrupt and improper acts and practices in relation to racing.”
Rice's license will not officially be suspended until findings and an order have been served, typically within 10 business days of the determination. Meanwhile, Rice ran two horses at Finger Lakes on Wednesday, had three horses entered Thursday at Belmont Park, and has horses entered in three races Friday, five races on Saturday, and three races Sunday at Belmont.
Attorney Andrew Turro will represent Rice in her appeal process.
The NYSGC first launched an investigation into Rice's operation in early 2018, on the claim that she traded money for information from the racing office. That information, such as which horses were likely to enter races before the race had closed, could have given her a competitive advantage.
The investigation uncovered evidence that between 2011 and 2015, Rice received faxes and emails from former entry clerks Jose Morales and Matt Salvato, giving her the names and past performance records of horses prior to draw time. Senior racing office management has said the names of trainers and horses in a given race are not to be released until after a race is drawn (with stakes races being the exception).
An eight-day hearing was conducted at the end of 2020, and the hearing officer submitted a final report to the NYSGC on April 13, 2021. The report concluded that Rice's misconduct – which involved receiving and requesting confidential entry information in overnight races – was intentional, serious and extensive. It also concludes that her actions constituted improper and corrupt conduct in relation to racing in violation of NYCRR 4042.1 and were inconsistent with and detrimental to the best interests of horse racing.
Rice has saddled the winners of 2,107 races from 11,384 starters over a career dating back to 1987, according to Equibase. Her top trainees include millionaires La Verdad and Palace, as well as Grade 1 winners Voodoo Song, City Zip, and Tenski.
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