Dutrow granted 30-day stay; 10-yr horse racing ban appeal planned

Cross-posted from New York Daily News
Written by JERRY BOSSERT

Rick Dutrow can keep training horses – at least for now.

A New York State Supreme court judge granted the controversial trainer a 30-day stay Monday morning, a day before his 10-year ban would have gone into effect.

“We are very satisfied by today’s result and look forward to challenging this result in the courts,” said Michael Koenig, Dutrow’s attorney.

Dutrow was hit with a 10-year ban on Oct. 12 by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for a long list of suspensions accumulated throughout his career.

Koenig said he will file his appeal next month and seek another extension so Dutrow can continue to train horses.

“Like I told the judge, we have no interest in delaying this,” Koenig said.

Besides the 10-year ban, Dutrow is also facing $50,000 in fines from the finding of the painkiller butorphanol in the urine sample of Fastus Cactus following a victory last November at Aqueduct. Three syringes oaded with another painkiller, xyzaline, were also found in Dutrow’s barn.

Dutrow, who saddled Big Brown to victory in the 2008 Kentucky Derby and trained 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam, did not attend the hearing in Schenectady as he was tending to his horses at Aqueduct.

“I’m glad they allowed me to be back with my horses,” the trainer said.

He will be allowed to train horses and has full access to all the New York Racing Association tracks – Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga, at least for the time being.

“This matter is pending before the court. When the court makes its determination NYRA will abide by the court’s decision,” NYRA officials said in a statement.

The NYSRWB had no comment on the stay.

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