Playfair Trainer Hepton Pays Fine

Thoroughbred owner and trainer Fred Hepton has paid the fine levied June 28 by the Oregon Racing Commission.

His license to participate in horse racing will be renewed in 30 days. A spokesperson with the Oregon commission said Monday a check from Hepton was sent by Express Mail on Friday, but was not received in the office in Portland until Monday.

The suspension was enforced at Playfair on Sunday night when two horses from Hepton’s barn were scratched from the second race.

Washington and Oregon racing commissions have a reciprocal agreement to honor each other’s rulings.

Hepton was originally fined when one of his horses at Portland Meadows tested above the allowable limit of the medication phenylbutazone, or bute.

An appeal by the Spokane horseman was turned down. When he failed to pay in what the Oregon commission said was “a timely manner,” he was fined $250.

The Oregon ruling stipulated the suspension would remain in force for 30 days after payment.

The bulk of Hepton’s string of horses at Playfair has been transferred to the barn of Kevin Parker for the last five days of the season, Playfair general manager Ross Yearout said.