Linda Rice's Suspension Is a Travesty of Justice

Friday, May 21, 2021

Bernies Blog

It's been quite awhile since we pointed out any "E's" in this space so let's revive this important service to all concerned in these troubled times.

For those who don't know what "E's" are, they have nothing to do with Equibase's superior "E" speed figures. It goes like this: (A) is an idiot; (B) is an imbecile; (C) is a moron; and (D) is a nincompoop. (E), of course, is the infamous catch-all ALL OF THE ABOVE.

This week's E designation belongs to the members of the New York Gaming Commission who voted to suspend trainer Linda Rice for three years, and fine her $50,000 after a hearing officer submitted a final report that concluded that Rice's misconduct - which involved the heinous crime of receiving and requesting confidential information in overnight races - was intentional, serious and extensive. It also concluded that her actions constituted improper and corrupt conduct in relation to racing in violation of NYCRR 4042.1 and were inconsistent with and detrimental to the best interests of horse racing.

Let's put just how heinous this is in proper perspective - she has been convicted of the act of receiving information, such as which horses were likely to enter races before the race had closed, and could have given her a competitive advantage. It's an incredibly heinous act, except that STAKES RACES ARE THE EXCEPTION. That's like saying that murderers must be executed or spend the rest of their lives in prison, unless they murdered someone over 50 years old, or someone with an IQ of less than 50, then there is no penalty.

It seems to me that in these days of four, five and six-horse fields, which bury the handle, any racing secretary would welcome a call from a trainer asking about a field for a certain race. And I'll bet that Linda has been far from alone in what she has done.

Linda has announced that she will appeal this decision by the E's, and a good lawyer should be able to destroy each and every commissioner on the witness stand, especially via the "stakes races are the exception" clause.

By the way, the dictionary definition of "corrupt" is: immoral, perverted; marked by venality; decaying, putrid. Unlike the commission's band of E's, her actions were N's (NONE OF THE ABOVE).