Michigan probe leads to Wallis suspension

The Michigan Gaming Control Board last week indefinitely suspended driver Kevin Wallis, which in turn led to reciprocity by the Ontario Racing Commission over the weekend. Wallis, who last drove at Hiawatha Horse Park on July 1, was listed to drive eight horses at that track on Saturday, July 3, but was taken off all his mounts as a result of the suspension. Two horses trained by Wallis’s wife, Linda, were also scratched by the Hiawatha stewards Saturday. Wallis was also taken off nine drives at Dresden Raceway on Sunday, July 4, including one conditioned by his wife who was scratched.

Sources told harnessracing.com that Wallis, who last raced in Michigan at Hazel Park on June 28, received his suspension as a result of the ongoing probe into alleged race fixing that has already resulted in the suspensions of six horsemen, one owner and one known gambler.

Wallis had been requested by the Gaming Control Board a few weeks ago to bring in financial records—which harnessracing.com was told he produced—but no action was taken until last week. In posting the suspension on the Standardbred Canada website, the Ontario Racing Commission noted the “full suspension” was to run through Dec. 31, 2010.

Wallis, 53, has won 9,072 races, which places him 12th on the all-time win list, and has more than $41.3 million in career earnings. His biggest career victory came when he directed Burning Point, at the time trained by his wife, Linda, to a win in the 2003 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Filly Pace.

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