New York Gaming Commission to hold hearings next week on Linda Rice allegations

ELMONT, N.Y. – After several delays over the last 11 months, the New York Gaming Commission is scheduled to hold hearings Tuesday and Wednesday to determine whether to take action against trainer Linda Rice for alleged improper acts over a four-year period.

The commission alleges that Rice received improper access to the names and other information concerning horses entered in races at New York Racing Association tracks in which she was considering entering a horse. The commission also alleges Rice “paid substantial sums of money to NYRA racing officials” to receive that information.

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The commission alleges these acts took place from about the 2011-12 Aqueduct meet through March 2015. The commission could suspend or revoke Rice’s license and also could fine her as much as $25,000 for each improper act.

The hearing was originally scheduled for December 2019, and was twice delayed earlier this year. The commission will presents its case this week, and Rice will get a chance to present her defense Nov. 17-18 and, if necessary, the 19th.

Rice has previously denied the state’s accusations. Friday at Belmont when asked if she was anxious about the hearings, Rice said, “It’ll be good to get it behind me.”

Rice is among the most successful female trainers in Thoroughbred racing. Earlier this year, she became the third woman to win 2,000 races. She is the only female trainer to win a trainer’s title at Saratoga. In the last three years, Rice is among the top three in wins among all trainers on this circuit.