Trainer Sues After Being Disciplined For Verbal Altercation With Steward

The Supreme Court of New Mexico has ruled that a trainer, who was disciplined after a verbal altercation with a steward, may have no legal recourse against the New Mexico Racing Commission (“NMRC”). According to the Court, the trainer held a license issued by the NMRC and wanted to hire an assistant trainer whose license had been revoked. The trainer intervened on his prospective employee’s behalf, but when his efforts proved unfruitful he got into a heated argument with one of the NMRC racing stewards. As a result, the NMRC initiated an administrative disciplinary action against the trainer, found that he had violated a rule of racing governing integrity and decorum, and fined him $500.