Height suspended 5 years

Trainer Chris Height has been suspended five years and fined $5,000 by the Delaware Racing Commission for presenting the horse Ruthy Ruthless N for a quarantine stay in which she had a metabolic alkalosis measurement of base excess level of 25.1, more than twice the level that triggers a violation.



In a pre-race teset at Harrington Raceway May 3, Ruthy Ruthless N had an elevated TCO2 test. When the horse entered quarantine May 9 another test was taken and the result was the reading of 25.1.



"There is a substantial risk to the health of the horse," Delaware Racing Commission administrator John Wayne was quoted as saying. "Two veterinarians that were consulted said that in their opinion, this horse would not live through the night."



Wayne added that the horse's owner, Howard Levine, sent the Commission a letter by fax stating that they were not permitted to treat the horse. Following an examination by a state vet, the horse was taken by the Commission and was treated anyway.



Height was given his penalties at a hearing Wednesday, May 11, and afterward he was arrested by animal control officers with the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and State Police. He was charged with "cruelty to animals--cruel mistreatment," with calls for a prison sentence of up to 12 months, prohibition from owning or possessing any kind of animal for five years, and a $1,000 fine. Height pleaded not guilty and was released on $1,000 bond.

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