Hebert to Ride Pending Hearing Officer's Report

• Email
• Print
• Tweet

Jockey Tracy Hebert, who was ordered off his mounts at Keeneland Oct. 11 and hasn't ridden since, will be permitted to ride at the Lexington track effective Wednesday but must submit to daily drug testing. Hebert has been suspended several times for failing drug tests.

The Kentucky Racing Commission, after an executive session Tuesday morning, ruled that Hebert could ride pending the outcome of a hearing officer's report. He continues to ride under an agreement he reached with the commission in March.

On Oct. 11, officials said a urine test revealed a high level of ethyl alcohol, but a subsequent blood test came back negative. Hebert's attorney, Richard Head, said a blood test "is actually the judge as to whether he continues to ride under this agreement order."

Hebert also has a drunken driving charge pending in Shelby County, Ky., but his arraignment has been rescheduled for November. Head said if Hebert is found guilty of the charge, the jockey will abide the commission order, which calls for up to a five-year suspension.

Keeneland president Nick Nicholson said Tuesday afternoon that the track "supports the commission" and will test Hebert every day.

Said Commission chairman Frank Shoop: "The commission has been very tolerant of Mr. Hebert the past few years, but it has come to the juncture where we must determine if he should continue to participate in Kentucky racing."

No timetable was set for the hearing process.

• Email
• Print
• Tweet