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Thoroughbred trainer appeals 10-year ban in NY

KentuckyDerby-winning thoroughbred trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. is asking New York's top court to overturn his 10-year ban by the state Racing and Wagering Board, saying it raises substantial civil rights issues. More from WAMC’s Dave Lucas

In asking the Court of Appeals to hear Dutrow's case, attorney Michael Koenig (KAY'-neg) says it should decide whether the appearance of bias by racing board Chairman John Sabini cost the trainer his right to a fair proceeding over drug violations.

They say Sabini had a conflicting role as an officer of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, which advocated revoking his license.

A midlevel New York court upheld the ban.

State lawyers say the midlevel court found no evidence of actual bias, and the top court should reject the case.

A ruling is expected next month.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.