Thoroughbred trainer Veitch’s suspension cut to nine months

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved a revised final order Tuesday regarding John Veitch that apportioned the penalties for a nine-month license suspension based on three violations in the Life At Ten case.

Although the former chief steward has already served a one-year suspension and has returned to work in the racing industry, Veitch appealed the commission’s ruling, and one violation was tossed out in 2013. The case stemmed from the horse’s dismal performance in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs.

The commission determined that Veitch should have been served three consecutive three-month suspensions for failing to investigate the horse’s performance, exacerbated by the drastic shift from previous winning form and for failing to send the horse for immediate drug testing after the race.

The three violations were upheld by the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 2013.

Also on Tuesday, the reorganized Kentucky Horse Racing Commission met for the first time as new chairman Frank Kling, vice chairman John Roach and other members appointed by Gov. Matt Bevin last month were sworn in.

The new commission includes several familiar faces, including chairman Frank Kling, who previously served on the racing commission; former Kentucky Supreme Court justice John Roach; Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day; and former commissioners Doug Hendrickson and Kerry Cauthen.

The commission received a briefing from general counsel John Forgy on ethics guidelines, including conflicts of interest and prohibition on gifts.

It also heard a presentation on EquiLottery, a lottery game based on live horse racing, but it took no action.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 5:17 PM with the headline "Thoroughbred trainer Veitch’s suspension cut to nine months."