Is it ok for the Director of Racing to train horses for owners

[Foalin at 4]

Batavia Downs Director of Racing is training horses for "USTA director" and lawyer, Michael Torcello! Don Hoover is training horses for Michael Torcello and other Western NY. owners at Vernon Downs racing Friday and Saturday night. This sounds like a huge conflict of interest when Batavia Downs opens!

[Harness racer]

I'm sure they will have to go into someone else's name, but who knows. But yes, huge conflict of interest.  Horsemen's association should get involved.

[Brown jug]

well we all know how inbred the industry is ( not just the horses) and full of nepotism so nothing would surprise

[I’mwatching]

It’s happening at Shenandoah Downs where the “Executive Director’s” family is training & racing horses there. And some of the horses are in the Chansky name! Go figure.

[Parked]

Seems i Saw a Vernon program last year where he was training horses for Stalbaum that had been racing at Batavia ..  makes no difference unless you race at Batavia.   

[Way to go]

Who is Chansky at SHENANDOAH

[Way to go]

Otoole at Plainridge with NANCY LONGOBARDI for years.....couldn't train or drive either....now management

[Foalin at 4]

Seems i Saw a Vernon program last year where he was training horses for Stalbaum that had been racing at Batavia ..  makes no difference unless you race at Batavia.

   Thats exactly my point! Michael Torcello races mostly in Western NY, including BATAVIA DOWNS.

[getreal]

You mean the same Mike Torcello that’s good friends with John Wagner? That Mike Torcello? Say it ain’t so???

[The Exporter]

Things must be way different today. I always knew a racing official could not get an occupational license such as a trainer license. At one time, a police officer could not get an owners license. Today, a person holding a Officials license can also be licensed as a trainer? In what world?

[Yonkers1A]

Things must be way different today. I always knew a racing official could not get an occupational license such as a trainer license. At one time, a police officer could not get an owners license. Today, a person holding a Officials license can also be licensed as a trainer? In what world?

Exactly something is not adding up

[Parked]

If you are a racing judge in NY you cannot hold a license for a year, maybe 2 after retiring. Years back teachers in NY could not get an owners lic.  The teachers union got that changed. 
Question on present NYState license    Are you a public employee, elected public official, political party officer, or police officer in NYS.   If yes you must file form PE 1 to complete your application. 
Wow !! If a driver you must have 20-40 corrected vision in one eye … wonder there are not more wrecks !!!

[Raging pace]

Just putting this out there, are you sure this is the same don Hoover that is general manager at Batavia downs racing ? I don’t know but find it hard to believe this is the same man. Like Yonkers 1A said, something isn’t adding up.

[Foalin at 4]

Just putting this out there, are you sure this is the same don Hoover that is general manager at Batavia downs racing ? I don’t know but find it hard to believe this is the same man. Like Yonkers 1A said, something isn’t adding up.

    Yes this is the same Don Hoover!

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Conflict of interest. Period. It's a conflict of interest that demands consequences. If the persons involved actually did this, and don't see anything wrong, they should be punished for what they did, and their stupidity.