NEWS
Penn National lifts Gill ban, asks for investigation
Posted: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:30 PM
MICHAEL GILL
Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
by Jeff Lowe
Penn National has asked the Pennsylvania Racing Commission to investigate the recent fatal breakdowns of horses owned by Michael Gill at the Grantville racetrack, which has lifted a temporary ban on entries from his stable.
Gill’s entries will be accepted beginning with the February 2 card. Penn National did not allow any entries from Gill for racing from January 27-30 pending a review of necropsy reports for the breakdowns of Melodeeman on January 21 and Laughing Moon on January 23.
Following the second incident, jockeys threatened to not ride in any race in which Gill had an entry, citing safety concerns.
The track made the request for an investigation in a letter on Thursday.
“We’ve asked the commission to step in and investigate the situation and determine what action, if any, should be taken,” said Eric Schippers, vice president of communications for parent company Penn National Gaming. “We’re hoping for some quick action from the commission on this.
“As of the races on Wednesday, February 3, entries for Mr. Gill’s horses have been accepted by Penn National to race pending the outcome of what we hope will be a swift investigation from the racing commission.”
Schippers said Penn National would not publicly disclose the results of the necropsies as it awaits an investigation. The commission had not responded to the request as of Friday afternoon.
“The commission, I’m sure, is taking this as seriously as we are,” Schippers said. “We’re confident that they’ll review the matter quickly, thoroughly, and diligently.”
Gill was not available for comment on Friday. On Monday, he said he would file an antitrust lawsuit if Penn National revoked his 49 stalls there.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
