Burke reaches 4-month suspension settlement with NJRC

Harnessracing.com has been told by the New Jersey Racing Commission that the sport’s leading trainer, Mickey Burke, has reached a settlement agreement for a four-month suspension and $2,500 fine for two lidocaine positives in 2006.

Burke was the leading dash-winning trainer in 2006 with 449 winners and was second on the earnings list with $5.69 million in purse earnings. He was subsequently named Trainer of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers Association.

Burke’s stable then led both lists in 2007, setting records with 664 winners and $10.6 million in purse earnings. In 2008, Burke has 594 winners through Nov. 12, the last day he shows having started a horse at Indiana Downs. Burke’s son, Ron, has been listed as trainer since Nov. 3 at the stable’s home base at The Meadows. The younger Burke shows another 20 winners for the stable, which has overall earnings approaching $10 million again this year.

Burke’s settlement agreement is still subject to approval by the racing commission at its meeting Wednesday, Nov. 19.

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