Peter Wrenn suspended for "unsatisfactory drive"

Peter Wrenn, a winner of more than 8,000 races and current leading driver at Indiana Downs, has been handed a 30-day suspension by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. Wrenn was notified of the suspension, which took effect beginning Monday, Sept. 28, over the weekend.

 

Wrenn said Tuesday morning that he has appealed the ruling and asked for a stay, but since Indiana regulations stipulate that a stay would not go into effect for five days, he has filed an injunction in court. Wrenn is scheduled to drive at The Red Mile Tuesday afternoon and is awaiting word as of 9 a.m. from his lawyer on the status. However, Wrenn was taken off all his mounts at The Red Mile on Tuesday. 

 

“As of right now I’m suspended until the end of October,” said a disheartened Wrenn. “I really don’t understand what’s going on. It’s a pretty sad deal.”

 

According to a notice posted in the Indiana Downs race office, Wrenn was suspended for driving the 12-1 outsider Magical Delight in an “unsatisfactory manner” in the eighth race Thursday, Aug. 6. Magical Delight finished fourth in the conditioned race, which carried a purse of $3,300. Wrenn’s suspension, which is for driving only, will conclude Oct. 27.

 

With the start of Lexington’s Grand Circuit meet this week, Wrenn said the timing couldn’t be worse.

 

“I’m supposed to race for some of the biggest breeders and owners in the world this week,” Wrenn commented. “I am just beside myself. It’s ripping the heart out of me. The judges said I gave a horse an unsatisfactory drive. If they didn’t like the drive, fine me. I’m baffled myself; I’m totally baffled.”

 

A longtime veteran of the Michigan circuit, Wrenn moved to Indiana over the winter to test the waters. He won the driving title at Hoosier Park, and was in a tight battle with Ricky Macomber for top honors at the Shelbyville track. Wrenn has also invested in the Indiana program, purchasing freshman trotter Msnaughtybynature in partnership with the Kales Company. Msnaughtybynature set a stakes record en route to winning the $125,000 Indiana Sire Stakes final earlier this month. (By James Platz)