The Indiana Horse Racing Commission voted 4-1 on Monday to allow its staff to expand an investigation into an Indianapolis Downs consultant and his relationship with two commission members.

Indianapolis Downs objected to the expanded investigation, which is the latest move in an ongoing dispute between the track, which is still under construction, and the commission.

In late June, commission Executive Director Joe Gorajec recommended that Indianapolis Downs be fined $1.2-million for failing to disclose that it had a relationship with consultant and lobbyist Larry Mohr. While the commission was considering Indianapolis Downs's license application in May 2001, Mohr met with Commissioners Janet Bozzelli and Nicholas Stein.

"If there are things that need investigating further, we should investigate it," Commissioner Pete Beck said. "We have got to protect the integrity of the business because if we don't, it's gone."

The case had rested with Administrative Law Judge Bernard Pylitt, but the commission on Monday removed him from the case because he had had input into Gorajec's original decision, the Associated Press reports. Commissioners now plan to examine the nature of Mohr's relationship with Bozzelli and Stein, as well as whether the track compiled with federal tax laws in relation to what it paid Mohr.

Following its decision to expand the investigation, the commission also approved racing dates for 2003.

There will be 100 days of Thoroughbred racing in Indiana with Indianapolis Downs in Shelbyville playing host to a spring meet and Hoosier Park in Anderson playing host to its traditional fall meet. There also will be 150 days of Standardbred racing, with Hoosier running in the late winter and early spring and Indianapolis Downs in the summer and fall.

The tracks apparently will be left to negotiate specific racing days, including any overlaps in their schedules.