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The New York State Gaming Commission has fined trainer Linda Rice $50,000 and revoked her license for at least three years because of "improper and corrupt conduct in relation to racing." The vote to do so was unanimous at 5-0.
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The commission found that Ms. Rice, who has been a trainer for nearly 35 years, had paid New York Racing Association officials to get “regular, continual and improper information,” including expected entries and past performances. The information was mostly provided by Jose Morales Jr., a racing clerk.
"The report concluded that Ms. Rice’s misconduct involved receiving and request for confidential entry information in overnight races was intentional, serious and extensive," the commission posted via its Twitter account.
"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-trained Max Player won the Withers (G3) last year and placed third in both the 2020 Belmont Stakes and Travers (G1).
The news of her suspension comes at a time when trainer Bob Baffert is under intensive fire after his horse Medina Spirit failed a drug test. Both Medina Spirit and Baffert were suspended from the third leg of the Belmont Stakes on Monday.
Medina Spirit was permitted to run in this past Saturday's Preakness Stakes where he finished third.
Medina Spirit tested positive for an illegal amount of the steroid betamethasone in a post-Kentucky Derby screening. The horse's victory could be revoked, pending the results of a split sample test.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
