The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Friday that it imposed a six
month penalty on trainer Jeffrey Mullins for violating NYRA’s monitoring barn
rules and regulations. For the term of this penalty Mullins will be denied entry
in NYRA races and will be denied access to NYRA grounds.
Mullins was charged with violating Aqueduct Race Day Security Barn Rules and
Regulations as posted in the Aqueduct Winter/Spring 2009 Condition Book 4. Those
charges were:
“On April 4, 2009, at Aqueduct Racetrack, Jeff Mullins was present in NYRA
Race Day Security Barn 12A in possession of a dose syringe, and when questioned
by NYRA security personnel initially denied, and then later admitted, that he
had brought the dose syringe into said NYRA Race Day Security Barn. Furthermore,
on said date while at said location, Jeff Mullins used said dose syringe to
administer a liquid substance, that he identified as cough medicine, to a
horse.”
These charges concerned Mullins’ entry of his horse Gato Go Win (City Place)
in the Bay Shore S. (G3). The horse was scratched by the stewards and was not
permitted to race.
Following an administrative hearing conducted over two days where NYRA’s
integrity counsel Getnick & Getnick presented NYRA’s case and where Mullins was
represented by counsel, Mullins was found by an adjudicative panel to be in
violation of the charges. The hearing was administered by outside counsel from
the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell. Following a review of the panel’s
findings, NYRA senior management imposed the penalty announced today.
“The events leading up to the imposition of today’s penalties demonstrates
NYRA’s twin commitments to racing integrity and due process,” said C. Steven
Duncker, chairman of the NYRA Board of Directors. “NYRA got it right on the race
day and thereafter. The horse was scratched. NYRA provided a full and fair
hearing. I am proud of NYRA’s demonstrated seriousness in handling this matter.”
NYRA Integrity Counsel Neil Getnick said, “Racing integrity is a top priority
for NYRA at all times. Today’s penalty reinforces NYRA’s commitment to
maintaining a level playing field for its owners, trainers and the public.”
Mullins is based in Southern California, and the ban only applies to New
York.