Opinion
2001-09964
Submitted November 21, 2002.
December 16, 2002.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 to review a determination of the respondent New York State Racing and Wagering Board, dated March 29, 2001, which, after a hearing, found that the petitioner, a trainer of thoroughbred horses, committed two violations of 9 NYCRR 4043.2(f) and 9 NYCRR 4043.4 by administering the drug ergonovine to two horses he trained, and imposed two concurrent 90-day suspensions from racing and a $2,000 fine.
Bonstrom Murphy, New York, N.Y. (Karen A. Murphy of counsel), for appellant.
Eliot Spitzer, Attorney-General, New York, N.Y. (Marion R. Buchbinder and David Axinn of counsel), for respondent.
Before: SANDRA J. FEUERSTEIN, J.P., NANCY E. SMITH, CORNELIUS J. O'BRIEN, GLORIA GOLDSTEIN, JJ.
DECISION JUDGMENT
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, the petition is denied, and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, with costs.
The respondent's determination that by reason of the presumption found in the so-called "trainer's responsibility" rule ( 9 NYCRR 4043.4), the petitioner was responsible for the presence of the restricted substance ergonovine in two of his horses within a week before the start of their respective races in violation of 9 NYCRR 4043.2(f), was not arbitrary or capricious and was supported by substantial evidence (see Matter of Mosher v. New York State Racing Wagering Bd., 74 N.Y.2d 688; Matter of Casse v. New York State Racing Wagering Bd., 70 N.Y.2d 589). Moreover, the penalty imposed does not shock the conscience, and is not inconsistent with other penalties imposed by the respondent for similar drug violations (see Matter of Mosher v. New York State Racing Wagering Bd., supra; Debonis v. Corbisiero, 178 A.D.2d 183).
The petitioner's remaining contentions are without merit.
FEUERSTEIN, J.P., SMITH, O'BRIEN and GOLDSTEIN, JJ., concur.