New York-based trainer Linda Rice has been fined $50,000 and had her license to participate in Thoroughbred racing revoked for “actions inconsistent with and detrimental to the best interest of racing generally and corrupt and improper acts and practices in relation to racing,” the New York State Gaming Commission revealed on Monday, May 17. The trainer will not be permitted to apply for a new license for a period of three years.
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.
The hearing officer recommended the Commission impose a fine of $50,000 and immediately revoke her license to participate in thoroughbred horse racing and restricting her ability to apply for a new license for a period of no less than three years.
The Commission concurred with the penalty recommended but modified the Report to specifically reflect that the hearing officer found multiple violations, which under NY Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law Sec. 116 allows for $25,000 per violation.
The Commission voted 5-0 to fine Linda Rice $50,000 and to revoke her license to participate in Thoroughbred horse racing for a period of no less than three years.
Rice has saddled the winners of 2,107 races from 11,382 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.
Also on Monday, the Commission adopted several new medication rules:
- Commissioners voted 5-0 to restrict the administration of race day Lasix to veterinarians “who are not caring for the horses of a trainer or owner who participates at the race meeting,” extending the third-party Lasix rule to the state's Standardbred tracks (it was already in place at Thoroughbred tracks).
- A new clenbuterol rule was adopted requiring approval before a horse can be treated with prescribed clenbuterol, daily submission of administration of clenbuterol treatment, that a treated horse to be placed on the Vet's list, and bars a horse from racing until it tests negative for clenbuterol.
- ARCI modified the model rule thresholds for three drugs (detomidine, omeprazole and xylazine) based on developing research. ARCI also added to the list of thresholds amounts for another four routine therapeutic medications, three of which are antihistamines (cetirizine, cimetidine and ranitidine) and one of which is a muscle relaxant used in anesthetic protocols (guaifensin). The thresholds are consistent with New York's existing restricted time periods. Trainers who comply with such restricted time periods will be assured of not violating such thresholds.
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