Trainer Rice to Serve 14-Day Suspension in March
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Linda Rice
In a case remaining from the state-to-state regulation of controlled medication, trainer Linda Rice has ended her regulatory appeal of a 14-day suspension tied to a phenylbutazone positive from January 2023.
Daily Racing Form first reported that Rice would accept the sanctions of a two-week suspension and $2,000 fine from the New York State Gaming Commission following Afleet Arlene 's testing above the quantitative threshold for phenylbutazone after finishing first in a Jan. 21, 2023, race at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The NYGSC file documenting the case notes that Rice will serve a suspension March 3-16 and be fined $2,000. It also notes that Afleet Arlene has been disqualified from her first-place finish in the race in question. With the disqualification, Darn That Song is moved from second into first for that six-furlong claiming race. Darn That Song will be awarded the first-place purse of $15,400.
The violation occurred before the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority began oversight of anti-doping and controlled medication violations in New York and most racing states on May 22, 2023.
BloodHorse could not immediately reach Rice for comment.