LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 17, 2005) – The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA) today issued a $25,000 fine against a horse owner after finding he attempted to “cause a licensed person to interfere with the orderly conduct of a race” at Turfway Park on Dec. 31, 2004.

The Authority also voted to suspend Kenneth Ramsey’s license for seven days, prohibiting him from entering any of his horses in races beginning Jan. 18 and ending on Jan. 24, 2005.

Ramsey, through his attorney, reached a settlement agreement with the KHRA, which met in a special-called meeting today and approved the terms of the agreement.

“This penalty, one of the highest ever levied by the Authority, is reflective of the seriousness of the violation by Mr. Ramsey,” said William Street, chairman of the KHRA.  “The Authority was pleased to reach a conclusion in a short period of time from when the allegation was made to the stewards at Turfway Park.”

A horse owner-trainer reported to the stewards that she had been contacted by Ramsey and asked to scratch her horse in order for Ramsey to enter one of his horses, an also-eligible horse, in the Dec. 31 race.  The owner declined and racing stewards determined Ramsey had made similar offers to two other trainers who also declined.

The agreement indicates Ramsey “did attempt to cause a licensed person to interfere with the orderly conduct of a race on Dec. 31, 2004 in violation” of a Kentucky racing regulation.

The regulation, 810 KAR 1:028 Section 2, (3) deals with disciplinary action. It states that racing stewards may, upon finding a violation or attempted violation on racing association grounds: “Cause any person, licensed or unlicensed, found to have interfered with, or contributed toward the interference of, the orderly conduct of a race or race meeting, or person whose presence is found by the stewards to be inconsistent with maintaining the honesty and integrity of the sport of horse racing, to be excluded or ejected from association grounds or any portion of association ground.”

Under the agreement Ramsey will pay the penalty by Jan. 31, 2005.