Commission sanctions 2 at Anderson horse racing track

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) – The Indiana Horse Racing Commission has fined a Hoosier Park Racing and Casino horse trainer and reached a settlement with a driver in a disciplinary case at the Anderson track.

Jimmy Martin Rogers was the trainer for a horse named Jesse’s Con, which finished first and second in two races in summer 2014, The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin reports. According to the commission, post-race blood and urine samples taken from the horse tested positive for a prohibited substance.

Rogers was fined $500, forced to repay his 5 percent of the purse and suspended from racing for 15 days. The two purses totaled $23,875. He did not submit evidence or testimony on his behalf.

The driver in the other case, Peter Wrenn, agreed to a settlement after judges in two August races said he “failed to display competitive urging during the stretch drive,” a violation of racing rules. Race judges put in place a summary suspension of his license.

Wrenn appealed the ruling, saying he drove a horse in one race to its fastest career finish and that he “acted safely and appropriately.” He also appealed the suspension, and sought a temporary restraining order in court to prevent it from taking effect. His request was granted.

Wrenn later decided to settle, according to the settement agreement, “in order to avoid the expense, distraction and uncertainties associated with further litigation.” He agreed to a suspension from Oct. 14 to Nov. 12, to not enter any race as a driver in Indiana for the rest of 2015, and to not seek a license to drive from the commission in 2016.