The Maine State Harness Racing Commission took action today on Kevin Switzer, Jr.‘s violation of rule 17 section 3.2 by handing down a suspension of 40 calendar days. The rule states “When in the course of the previous two racing years, a person has violated Maine Harness Racing Commission rules and been fined a total of $2,000 or more or has been subject to license suspensions of 250 or more days, regardless of the nature of the violations resulting in the fines or suspensions, the Commission shall consider that grounds for suspension or shall refuse to renew a person’s license(s).

Switzer had been on the sidelines from mid January to June 21 due to license problems arising from the state of New York. That issue was settled on June 1st when New York issued him his driving license. The MSHRC has a  reciproprocity agreement with New York. Due to delayed paperwork, Switzer did not start driving in Maine until June 21. He was able to drive on his 2009 license until he came in front of the commission.

The commission took into consideration the twenty days in June that Switzer sat on the sidelines into their decision. It took three motions before the commission came to a consensus.

Switzer’s suspension will take effect on Monday, July 19. His first day back in the sulky will be on August 28.

The commission also did their annual assessment of the horse supply for 2010. This is done at this time of the year to make sure that the horse supply will be adequate to supply the tracks with enough horses to race their allotted dates awarded last fall. State steward Ralph Canney presented data to the commission stating the horse supply for 2010 was the best it has been in three years. The commission agreed that there was no reason to revisit awarded race dates.