The Maine State Harness Racing Commission met today to discuss a variety of topics.

Coming in front of the board for a second time, L. Alex MacDonald, with his counsel Craig Rancourt, requested that the commission take a second look at the consent agreement offered to him at the last meeting for violating Rule 17.3.2. MacDonald countered that the penalty offered to him should be consistent with penalties offered to two other drivers that violated Rule 17.3.2. Commission Executive Director Henry Jackson admitted that MacDonald’s Consent Agreement “was more severe” than those of W. Drew Campbell and Robert Dinning. Jackson said the commission should have an “open hearing to be more consistent” and to act “fair and equitable”.

After discussion between the commission and Rancourt, the commission ruled that MacDonald should be suspended from driving to July 15 and that the stipulations brought forth in the Consent Agreement offered last month be rescinded to be consistent with the penalties given to Campbell and Dinning.

Another hearing scheduled for today was discussed. Ron Cushing, who appealed an interference violation last month, dropped his appeal and will serve the three day suspension given to him originally. That suspension will be enforced from May 16 – May 18.

The MSHRC heard from Mr. Jackson on the base purse of the Maine Sire Stakes Program for 2010. After consulting with the Maine Sire Stakes Advisory Committee, the base purse for 2010 will be $6,500. This is a decrease of $500 from the previous two years. The two main factors that support the decrease are the increase of horses expected to participate in this year’s stake races and the decline in the live betting handle.

The commission then held an open discussion between the board and the licensed judges for 2010. The discussion ranged from how penalties are enforced, how the judges work with the management of the various tracks and consistency between the judges at the various tracks.

The next meeting will be on June 16, 2010 where the majority of the discussion will focus on rule-making.