N.Y. board denies Pedersen appeal

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board on Wednesday rejected trainer Jennifer Pedersen's appeal of a 60-day suspension handed to her by the Aqueduct stewards last year for being in possession of hypodermic equipment and controlled substances.

Further, the board ruled that Pedersen should be given an additional 60 days should she be charged with another violation.

In the winter of 2005, state investigators raided several barns on the Aqueduct and Belmont backstretches. In Pedersen's barn office, investigators found improperly labeled injectibles in a refrigerator.

Both Pedersen and Ernie Paragallo, the authorized agent for Paraneck Stable, for whom Pedersen trained at the time, said the drugs were legal and belonged to Dr. Babette Gladstein, retained by Paragallo as a private veterinarian. Among the medications found were penicillin and Banamine, an analgesic. Pedersen trained for Paraneck for six years, before leaving earlier this year.

The stewards will wait until they receive the official paperwork from the board before issuing the dates of the suspension.

Pedersen on Friday said she planned to take further legal action to challenge the suspension.