State officials at Aqueduct Racetrack told trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. not to appear on the facility's grounds Jan. 17, and the New York State Racing and Wagering Board officially notified him of the loss of his racing license in New York.
Noting that Dutrow is "a person whose conduct at racetracks in New York State and elsewhere has been improper, obnoxious, unbecoming, and detrimental to the best interests of racing," the order issued Jan. 17 states, in part:
"Ordered, that based on the foregoing and his extensive history of rule violations, respondent Richard E. Dutrow Jr.'s character and general fitness are such that his participation in pari-mutuel racing is inconsistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity, and with the best interests of racing generally, contrary to Racing Law § 220(2) and 9 NYCRR §§ 4002.8 and 4002.9; Ordered, that based on his foregoing violations and his extensive history of rule violations, and as another portion of his penalty herein, respondent Richard E. Dutrow Jr.'s occupational license(s) to participate in pari-mutuel racing are hereby revoked, and this revocation of his occupational licenses(s), scheduled in the Board's Findings and Order at the conclusion of his de novo administrative adjudicatory proceeding to begin October 18, 2011, having been stayed by court order from taking effect, shall take effect on this 17th day of January, 2013..."
It remains uncertain whether Dutrow's lawyers will try to file an appeal to a federal court and a possible stay to prevent the suspension from taking effect. All that would stop the agency's move to ban Dutrow from training or even appearing on the grounds of any track in New York is a judge's stay.
"No,"' was all Dutrow's lawyer, Michael Koenig, would say when asked via e-mail the evening of Jan. 16 if there were any updates on the looming suspension and legal fight. He did not respond to questions asking if the team will appeal the case.
In a recent interview, Dutrow pledged he would exhaust all legal appeals before giving in to the state's penalties: removal of his license to train for at least 10 years, plus a $50,000 fine for what regulators have said was a pattern of wrongdoing over the years, including a drug infraction case in 2010 at Aqueduct.
Dutrow has already lost twice in the past couple months before New York's highest court, which has refused to hear his appeal over the suspension and fine.
Download the Rick Dutrow Ruling here.