NYRA's Disciplinary Hearing for Vitali to Begin March 1

The New York Racing Association's disciplinary hearing for trainer Marcus Vitali will begin March 1, 2022, a date set by hearing officer Robert Smith at an Oct.13 pre-hearing scheduling conference.

Vitali has a long list of violations and suspensions and did not have a starter from July 21, 2019, until Jan. 4, 2021. During his career, he was suspended for 365 days in 2019 by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission for impeding an investigation. 

In 2016, he gave up his trainer's license in Florida while facing penalties for seven medication violations, though he later accepted a 120-day suspension.

In its statement of charges against Vitali, NYRA cited that from 2010 through 2020, he amassed an extensive record of medication violations, lengthy suspensions, improperly using "program" or "paper" trainers during suspensions, and obstructing an investigation into alleged wrongdoing. NYRA also charged that in the past five years, he was denied entry, ejected, and/or had license applications denied by regulators in Florida, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and Delaware; and was sanctioned for violating a racing statute, rule, or regulation relating to prohibited or restricted drugs, medications, or substances seven times in a single year. 

A winner of 902 races in his career, his lone NYRA starter this year was Red Venus , who finished last of seven July 22 in the fourth race at Saratoga Race Course. He has raced mostly at Turf Paradise, Lone Star Park, and Presque Isle Downs this year, with 14 wins and earnings of $258,331 prior to Wednesday.