(Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission (NRGC) has fined trainer David Anderson $1,000 for being in possession of a needle and syringe in his assigned tack room at Fonner Park on March 6, according to a statement on the Commission’s website.
Anderson, 70, waived his right to a formal stewards hearing, after receiving proper notice, and has pled no contest. The ruling date was March 8.
“This remains an ongoing investigation so I cannot comment,” Fonner Park Chief Executive Officer Chris Kotulak said March 12.
According to an article on paulickreport.com, “Anderson is currently the third-leading trainer at the track in Grand Island, Neb., having sent out 12 winners from 61 starters since the meet began on Feb. 14. The ruling did not affect his ability to run or enter horses over the weekend.”
“I have no sympathy for cheaters, but I do believe in due process,” Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak told the Paulick Report. “I’m not able to say more due to an ongoing investigation.”
“According to Equibase, Anderson has saddled the winners of 2,264 Thoroughbred races since 1984 for earnings of $15,330,766. Thoroughbredrulings.com reports that Anderson’s medication record includes a three-year suspension from the NRGC, served between 2010 and 2013, over a pair of positive tests for oxymorphone,” paulickreport.com reported.
“Fonner Park is not regulated by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) because the track does not export its simulcast signal out of state. Instead, the NRGC is charged with regulating horse racing in Nebraska,” paulickreport.com said.
According to NRGC executive director Casey Ricketts, the possession of hypodermic needles, syringes, or related medical equipment on the grounds of a racetrack without proper veterinary authorization is a regulatory violation under Title 294 of the Nebraska Administrative Code, paulickreport.com reported.
The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission has an expectation that all violations of its rules are addressed in the appropriate manner and consistent with the regulatory framework in place. Maintaining the integrity of racing and the confidence of participants and the public remains a central priority for the Commission, and our regulatory efforts are guided by that commitment. As with any regulatory matter, the Commission continues to review its rules and enforcement mechanisms to ensure they provide stewards with clear authority and appropriate tools to address violations, paulickreport.com said.
According to a 2023 Nebraska News Service article, Anderson operates Anderson Farm. He has been a thoroughbred horse trainer and licensed public trainer since 1983.
“After becoming a licensed horse trainer in 1983, Anderson had immediate success. In 1984, Anderson went to Fonner Park in Grand Island with 12 horses to start training full-time,” according to the Nebraska News Service article. “After 40 years, Anderson has won more than 2,000 races and has marked his place in the Nebraska horse racing history books. At Fonner Park, Anderson holds the record for the most training titles in a career and the most in a season. His success was recognized as early as 2008 when he was inducted into the Nebraska Racing Hall of Fame, an accomplishment he’s proud of but never imagined receiving.”
“Anderson was suspended from racing on three occasions in 2002, 2004 and 2010 for the use of banned substances on his horses. In 2002, he was suspended for 15 days after the substance clonidine was found in the race horse, Pago. A similar suspension came in 2004. In 2010, he was suspended and fined in Nebraska and Iowa for being suspected of using banned painkillers on two horses, resulting in a three-year suspension,” the Nebraska News Service article said.
