Bobby Brower suspension reduced to four years

It was reported back in 2017 on Harnesslink that Indiana Standardbred owner, trainer and driver Bobby Brower was given a 15-year suspension for abusing a horse, has reached a settlement with the Indiana Horse Racing Commission that has reduced his suspension to four year. This was done per ruling from the Commission.

The Commission approved the settlement in a document issued on July 2 and the four-year penalty also gives Brower credit for time served dating back to the original sentence of 15 years back on March 7, 2017. It was also agreed to by Brower that he would not seek a license from the Commission for seven years following the end of his suspension.

Brower, and his attorney had not responded to the allegation within a timeframe set by Indiana’s rules. An Indiana circuit court ruled last year that Brower had “timely responded” to the original complaint, and it remanded the case back to the Commission.

According to Brower’s attorney, Peter Sacopulos, who said that the 15-year-penalty “would have never been handed down” if Brower had been able to defend himself in a hearing.”

Negotiations to reach the settlement followed the court ruling.

Brower was charged with severely beating that Standardbred horse, B ABland, at a farm in Anderson in August, 2016. The 15-year suspension was among the longest ever given out by a U.S. racing commission.

From Harnesslink Media