The New York State Gaming Commission will conduct a hearing on Dec. 18 to determine whether to suspend or revoke the license of trainer Linda Rice due to actions alleged to be “detrimental to the best interests of racing generally and corrupt and improper acts and practices in relation to racing,” according to a notice posted on the Commission website. While the notice does not specify what those acts and practices are, state steward Braulio Baeza confirmed Sunday the acts involved alleged payments to racing officials at New York Racing Association tracks in exchange for information regarding races in which Rice would consider entering horses before she entered. According to the notice, the timeframe for those alleged acts runs “from on or about the 2011-12 Aqueduct race meeting through March 2015.” The commission could take action against Rice’s license if it finds Rice to “be guilty of any improper, corrupt or fraudulent act or practice in relation to racing,” according to Commission rule 4042.1 (F). Rice could also face fines up to $25,000 for each violation, if any, the Commission finds. In February 2018, Daily Racing Form reported that Rice was under investigation for paying racing office officials and members of the gate crew at NYRA tracks. At that time, Rice confirmed that she did give members of the racing office and gate crew money, but said they were Christmas gifts. On Sunday, Rice again denied any wrongdoing and said she looked forward to meeting with state regulators. “They asked me if I would appear at a hearing, of course we plan to do that and answer any questions they have for me,” Rice said. “I’m anxious to get this cleared up and put that behind us.” When asked about giving money to racing officials in exchange for information, Rice said “that was not the case.” Two individuals who worked in the racing office during the time frame for which Rice is being investigated were Jose Morales Jr. and Matt Salvato. Both of those individuals have been ruled off the grounds of NYRA tracks and are no longer licensed by the commission. Morales worked in the racing office at NYRA from 2006 through Aug. 31, 2014. Last February, Morales, acknowledged he provided Rice “with past performances and entry sheets” but would not comment about receiving money. Salvato, who began working in the racing office at NYRA in 2009, was promoted to racing secretary in November 2018. On Jan. 25, 2019 he was ruled off the grounds at NYRA. Rice, 55, is arguably the most successful female trainer in Thoroughbred racing, having won 1,955 races during a career that began 1987. Rice ranks 32nd all-time in purse money won with $78.7 million through Saturday. Rice, a perennial top 10 trainer on the NYRA circuit, has trained seven Grade 1 stakes winners as well as the 2015 female sprint champion La Verdad. In 2009, Rice became the first female to win a trainer’s title in New York when she won the Saratoga title with 20 victories.