Is the "87 million dollar man" returning after ten years?
His name is still familiar, even though he was off the radar for a long time, but he could soon be heard from again in sporting terms: Former US coach Rick Dutrow`s application to have his licence reinstated after a ten-year ban was given the green light when the Executive Director of the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) expressed his support for reinstatement in a status report.
In his controversial career, Dutrow won the first two legs of the US Triple Crown - the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes - with Big Brown in 2008 before the horse was sidelined as the favourite for the Belmont Stakes.
Dutrow also won the 2005 Breeders` Cup Classic with Horse of the Year Saint Liam, but a series of infractions occurred in 2010 when one of his horses was found to have traces of the tranquilliser butorphanol after a win at Aqueduct. A search of the trainer`s stable also found three syringes of xylazine, a muscle relaxant.
As a result, he was fined $50,000 and had his licence revoked for ten years in October 2011. Dutrow went to court but was unable to get the decision overturned. His other offences include a 30-day suspension in 2009 because one of his horses tested positive for a respiratory stimulant.
Dutrow`s suspension ended on January 17, but he had to reapply for a licence because it was revoked by the NYSGC.
"He still has a few procedural steps to go through, but things are moving forward in that regard," NYSGC spokesman Brad Maione said. "The licence hasn`t been approved yet, but once he submits all the paperwork, he should be approved."
Dutrow began training in 1979 and managed 1,811 wins from 7,204 starts (25 per cent) with prize money of $87,499,980.
Asked if the New York Racing Association would allow Dutrow to race at its tracks, NYRA vice-president of communications Pat McKenna said. "NYRA will consider an application should Mr Dutrow make one in the future."
