When Hoosier Park Racing & Casino opens for live racing Thursday, March 25, former leading driver Josh Sutton will be a part of the colony. Sutton, who was previously banned from racing in Indiana for two years, has been issued a probationary license by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC).
“What happened 2 ½ years ago, I think it has made me a better driver,” admitted Sutton. “My main concern is trying to stay out of trouble.”
Sutton led the driver standings at both Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs in 2006, but was suspended in May 2007 for a whipping violation. In the incident in question, the driver used a whip with an illegal snapper, inflicting several severe lacerations to his mount, Staley Lane. At the time, the IHRC handed down a six-month suspension and $2,500 fine, with Sutton agreeing not to seek a license in Indiana until June 2009. Prior to his suspension, Sutton was driving with a probationary license due to other whipping violations.
Most recently, the 27-year-old reinsman has been driving on the Chicago circuit. Sutton had his most successful season to date in 2009, steering 332 winners and accumulating more than $1.8 million in earnings. He is closing in on 1,500 career wins.
“It’s just nice to be closer to home. My son is in Toledo and my parents are in Kentucky,” noted the Bluegrass State native. “I know a lot of the people that race here. I've won a lot of races in Indiana and I sure hope they remember that.”
Since Sutton’s departure from the Hoosier State the IHRC has adopted more stringent whipping rules. In 2009 the commission adopted measures restricting the use of the whip to wrist action only. The driver believes he can become acclimated to the changes and prevent a duplication of past infractions.
“Everybody’s waiting for me to fall down. I’m definitely going to be under the microscope, but I can adapt to any style of driving,” Sutton stated. “I’m sure it’s going to take some adjustment, but I’m like a chameleon, I can adapt to the environment.”
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