Umarov No Longer Seeking Stay of Suspension

Owner-trainer Otabek Umarov will not be racing horses while he appeals a 10-year suspension of his racing license.

Umarov still plans to appeal the facts of his case to a Kentucky administrative hearing officer, but he has decided to no longer pursue a stay of sanctions handed down by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission while he pursues that appeal. 

In May the KHRC suspended Umarov's racing license for 10 years and fined him $10,000 for his refusal to allow Looks to Spare to receive out-of-competition testing in late April at Churchill Downs and for being found in possession of hypodermic needles. Umarov has suggested that the refusal was a misunderstanding, saying the regulatory veterinarian did not properly identify himself.

Kentucky Suspends Umarov for 10 Years

A hearing on a restraining order that could have held off sanctions against Umarov during the appeal process had been scheduled for Aug. 1 in Franklin County (Ky.) Circuit Court. That hearing was cancelled when Umarov decided to no longer pursue the stay. The KHRC voted in May to immediately begin the sanctions. 

Umarov's attorney Justin Fowles said the owner-trainer had sold most of his horses, making it less important to receive a stay of the suspension during the appeal. He expects a date to be set for the administrative hearing in the next couple of weeks.

KHRC general counsel John Forgy said Aug. 1 that the stewards immediately will revoke Umarov's racing license and the KHRC will prepare for the administrative hearing.