Pokornowski v. Ohio State Racing Comm. , 2019 Ohio 4264 ( 2019 )

[Cite as Pokornowski v. Ohio State Racing Comm., 2019-Ohio-4264.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
Christi Pokornowski, :
Appellant-Appellee, :
No. 18AP-318
v. : (C.P.C. No. 17CV-4329)
Ohio State Racing Commission, : (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Appellee-Appellant. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on October 17, 2019
On brief: Graff & McGovern, LPA, and John A. Izzo, for
appellee. Argued: John A. Izzo.
On brief: Dave Yost, Attorney General, and Charles E.
Febus, for appellant. Argued: Charles E. Febus.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
DORRIAN, J.
{¶ 1} Appellant, Ohio State Racing Commission ("commission"), appeals the
April 4, 2018 judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, which reversed the
commission's April 27, 2017 adjudication order finding appellee, Christi Pokornowski,
violated the commission's rules and imposing penalties on her. For the following reasons,
we affirm.
I. Facts and Procedural History
{¶ 2} This matter arises out of a horse race at the Dayton Raceway on October 24,
2015. On that day, "Sports Sinner," a horse trained by Pokornowski, finished first in the
twelfth race, which resulted in a purse award of $12,000. Following the race, Sports Sinner
was taken to the test barn where samples of urine and blood were collected to test for
prohibited substances. On January 7, 2016, the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory of the
No. 18AP-318 2
Ohio Department of Agriculture ("the lab") sent the commission a final test report, in which
it found that Sport's Sinner's urine sample "was found to contain 3-Methoxytyramine" ("3-
MT") at a "concentration exceed[ing] the regulatory threshold" for such substance.
{¶ 3} On January 29, 2016, the Dayton Raceway judges issued a ruling against
Pokornowski, finding her to be in violation of Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01(A)(2), (B)(1),
(B)(13), (B)(16), (B)(17), 3769-18-02, 3769-18-99, and 3769-17-43. The judges imposed on
Pokornowski the following penalty: a fine of $1,000 and a 365-day suspension.
Additionally, the judges ordered the prize money be returned and redistributed. Finally,
the judges recommended the commission subject Pokornowski to an additional $4,000
fine and 730-day suspension. On February 4, 2016, Pokornowski appealed, requesting a
hearing before a commission hearing officer.
{¶ 4} Beginning on October 18, 2016, the commission hearing officer held a
hearing. Soobeng Tan, director of the lab, testified regarding the sample taken from Sports
Sinner at the Dayton Raceway on October 24, 2015. The initial screening of the sample
showed a positive finding for 3-MT of approximately 11 micrograms per milliliter. Tan
testified the regulatory threshold amount of 3-MT was 4 micrograms per milliliter. Tan
concurred with the initial result and determined additional testing would be required.
{¶ 5} On December 15, 2015, Tan performed a confirmatory analysis of the sample,
finding a concentration of 3-MT in excess of the regulatory threshold. On December 28,
Tan repeated the confirmatory analysis of the sample, again finding it exceeded the
regulatory threshold amount for 3-MT. As provided in his final test report, Tan found the
sample in question contained 3-MT at a concentration of 16 plus or minus 9 micrograms
per milliliter.
{¶ 6} Tan stated that the regulatory threshold of 4 micrograms per milliliter was in
accordance with the guidelines established by the Association of Racing Commissioners
International ("ARCI"). Tan stated that 3-MT was a naturally occurring substance in
horses. However, only 1 in 10,000 horses have a natural amount of 3-MT exceeding the
regulatory threshold. Tan agreed that 3-MT does not appear on the Ohio State Racing
Commission Regulatory Thresholds for Prohibited Substances as referenced at the
March 23, 2016 commission meeting. It was Tan's understanding that 3-MT is not a foreign
substance as provided under Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01(A)(2) until it exceeds the
No. 18AP-318 3
regulatory threshold. Tan noted that Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01(A)(2) referred to the
ARCI model rules and stated that consideration is to be given such rules. Tan was not aware
of when the commission adopted the thresholds from the ARCI model rules.
{¶ 7} John Yinger, the presiding judge of Dayton Raceway, testified he received the
final laboratory report from the lab, which he used to produce the January 29, 2016 ruling
against Pokornowski. In finding Pokornowski to be in violation of the commission's rules,
Yinger referred to the ARCI guidelines. Yinger did not think that he had been told to follow
the ARCI guidelines. However, Yinger believed that ARCI set the regulatory thresholds.
{¶ 8} On January 18, 2017, the hearing officer issued a report and
recommendation, recommending the January 29, 2016 ruling of the judges be affirmed,
including all penalties. Pokornowski filed seven objections to the hearing officer's report
and recommendation.
{¶ 9} On April 24, 2017, the commission held a meeting at which it voted to uphold
the hearing officer's report and recommendation. On April 27, 2017, the director of the
commission entered an adjudication order suspending Pokornowski's license from June 1,
2017 until May 31, 2020, issuing her a $5,000 fine, and ordering her to return the race
purse awarded on October 24, 2015.
{¶ 10} On May 11, 2017, Pokornowski filed a notice of appeal pursuant to R.C.
Chapter 119 with the common pleas court. On June 21, 2017, Pokornowski filed a motion
seeking the court to enter judgment in her favor based on controlling precedent. On July 12,
2017, the commission filed a response to Pokornowski's June 21, 2017 motion. On July 17,
2017, Pokornowski filed a reply in support of her June 21, 2017 motion. On December 12,
2017, the common pleas court filed an order and entry denying Pokornowski's June 21,
2017 motion.
{¶ 11} On December 28, 2017, Pokornowski filed a motion for reconsideration of the
court's December 12, 2017 order and entry. On January 23, 2018, the common pleas court
denied Pokornowski's December 28, 2017 motion. On April 4, 2018, after having been fully
briefed by the parties, the common pleas court filed a decision and entry concluding,
pursuant to R.C. 119.12, that the commission's April 27, 2017 order was not supported by
reliable, probative, and substantial evidence and was not in accordance with law.
No. 18AP-318 4
II. Assignment of Error
{¶ 12} The commission appeals and assigns the following single assignment of error
for our review:
The Ohio State Racing Commission's order was supported by
reliable, probative and substantial evidence and was in
accordance with law and the lower court erred in concluding
otherwise.
III. Discussion
{¶ 13} In its assignment of error, the commission asserts the common pleas court
erred because the commission's April 27, 2017 adjudication order was supported by
reliable, probative, and substantial evidence and was in accordance with law.
A. Standard of Review
{¶ 14} R.C. Chapter 3769 governs horse racing in Ohio and establishes the
commission and its attendant powers. R.C. 3769.03 provides that "[w]ith respect to the
issuance, denial, suspension, or revocation of a license to a participant in horse racing, the
action of the commission shall be subject to [R.C.] Chapter 119."
{¶ 15} In an administrative appeal under R.C. 119.12, a common pleas court "may
affirm the order of the agency complained of in the appeal if it finds, upon consideration of
the entire record and any additional evidence the court has admitted, that the order is
supported by reliable, probative, and substantial evidence and is in accordance with law."
R.C. 119.12(M). See Pons v. Ohio State Med. Bd., 66 Ohio St.3d 619 (1993). To be "reliable,"
evidence must be dependable and true within a reasonable probability. Our Place, Inc. v.
Ohio Liquor Control Comm., 63 Ohio St.3d 570, 571 (1992). See also Rupert v. Ohio Dept.
of Rehab. & Corr., 10th Dist. No. 17AP-173, 2017-Ohio-8377, ¶ 9. To be "probative,"
evidence must be relevant or, in other words, tend to prove the issue in question. Id. To be
"substantial," evidence must have importance and value. Id. "[A]n administrative appeal
to the common pleas court does not provide a trial de novo, but rather 'the Court of
Common Pleas must give due deference to the administrative resolution of evidentiary
conflicts.' " (Internal citations omitted.) Capital Care Network of Toledo v. Ohio Dept. of
Health, 153 Ohio St.3d 362, 2018-Ohio-440, ¶ 25, quoting Univ. of Cincinnati v. Conrad,
63 Ohio St.2d 108, 110-11 (1980).
No. 18AP-318 5
{¶ 16} The standard of review for a court of appeals in an administrative appeal is
even more limited. As to factual issues, we must determine whether the common pleas
court abused its discretion. Avalon Resort & Spa LLC v. State Unemp. Comp. Rev. Comm.,
10th Dist. No. 18AP-212, 2018-Ohio-4294, ¶ 20, citing Miracle Home Health Care, LLC v.
Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Servs., 10th Dist. No. 12AP-318, 2012-Ohio-5669, ¶ 18. An
abuse of discretion occurs when a decision is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable.
Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983). However, when determining
whether the agency's decision was in accordance with law, we exercise plenary review.
Avalon at ¶ 20, citing BNA Constr., Ltd. v. Dir. of Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Servs., 10th
Dist. No. 16AP-317, 2017-Ohio-7227, ¶ 25, citing BRT Transp., LLC v. Ohio Dept. of Job &
Family Servs., 10th Dist. No. 14AP-800, 2015-Ohio-2048, ¶ 15.
B. Applicable Statutes and Administrative Code Provisions
{¶ 17} R.C. 3769.03 provides that the commission "shall prescribe the rules and
conditions under which horse racing may be conducted and may issue, deny, suspend,
diminish, or revoke permits to conduct horse racing." Pursuant to R.C. 3769.03, the
commission has authority over licensing those persons engaged in racing, including the
authority to "issue, deny, suspend, or revoke licenses to those persons engaged in racing
and to those employees of permit holders as is in the public interest for the purpose of
maintaining a proper control over horse-racing meetings."
{¶ 18} Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01(B) provides that "the intent of this rule" is "to
protect the integrity of horse racing, guard the health of the horse, and safeguard the
interest of the public and racing participants through the prohibition or control of drugs,
medications and substances foreign to the natural horse." Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-
01(B)(1) provides that "no horse entered to race shall carry in its body on race day any
prohibited foreign substance," subject to certain specified exceptions not relevant to the
instant matter. Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01(A)(2) defines "foreign substances" as "all
classified substances except those which exist naturally in the untreated horse at normal
physiological concentrations and include all narcotics, stimulants, depressants or other
drugs." Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01(A)(2) provides that "[t]he commission may, by order,
establish a system of classification of prohibited foreign substances, to include methods of
detection and/or regulatory thresholds thereof, recommended penalties and disciplinary
No. 18AP-318 6
measures for the presence of said substances in test samples." Furthermore, Ohio
Adm.Code 3769-18-01(A)(2) states that "[i]n determining the substances to be so classified,
the commission shall give due consideration to the uniform classification guidelines of
foreign substances and recommended penalties and model rules as revised from time to
time by the association of racing commissioners international inc." (Sic.)
{¶ 19} Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-02(A) provides that "[t]he trainer shall be the
absolute insurer of, and responsible for, the condition of the horse entered in a race" and
that "[s]hould the chemical or other analysis of urine or blood specimens prove positive,
showing the presence of any foreign substance not permitted by rule 3769-18-01 of the
Administrative Code, the trainer of the horse * * * may, in the discretion of the commission,
be subjected to penalties provided in paragraph (B) of this rule." Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-
02(B) provides that "judges may fine any licensee who violates this rule an amount not in
excess of one thousand dollars and/or suspend any commission license held by such
licensee for a period not to exceed one year and/or refer the matter to the commission for
its consideration." See R.C. 3769.091. Pursuant to R.C. 3769.03, the commission "may
impose, in addition to any other penalty imposed by the commission, fines in an amount
not to exceed ten thousand dollars on any permit holder or any other person who violates
the rules or orders of the commission." See Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-99.
C. Application
{¶ 20} Here, the common pleas court found that "[b]ased on Mr. Tan's testimony,
and when considering the entire record, there was no evidence to support the idea that the
Commission established a threshold for 3-MT, or a 3-MT classification." (Apr. 4, 2018
Decision at 4.) Furthermore, the court found that the commission "neither promulgated a
rule nor issued an order establishing a standard for prohibited levels of 3-MT." (Apr. 4,
2018 Decision at 5.) As a result, relying on DelBianco v. Ohio State Racing Comm., 10th
Dist. No. 01AP-395 (Oct. 16, 2001), the common pleas court concluded the commission's
April 27, 2017 adjudication order was not in accordance with law.
{¶ 21} In DelBianco, we reviewed a commission order finding that a horse trained
by DelBianco violated Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01(B)(1) and 3769-18-02(A) by having a
No. 18AP-318 7
prohibited foreign substance, i.e., an abnormal level of total carbon dioxide ("tCO[2]").1 We
found the commission adopted a standard having a uniform and general operation with
regard to prohibited tCO[2] levels in horses which was then enforced against DelBianco.
However, such standard was not properly promulgated under the procedures set forth in
R.C. Chapter 119 as required. Therefore, because DelBianco was "found in violation of a
'rule' that had not been properly promulgated," we concluded that the commission's "order
was not in accordance with law and is, therefore, invalid." Id.{¶ 22} Recently, in Farina v. Ohio State Racing Comm., 10th Dist. No. 18AP-45,
2019-Ohio-3903, we reviewed a commission order finding Farina, a licensed horse trainer,
had violated its rules by racing a horse with a prohibited concentration of 3-MT. In making
our determination, we considered whether the commission established a standard
governing prohibited 3-MT concentrations and, if so, whether such standard was properly
promulgated in accordance with Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01(A)(2). Consistent with our
precedent in DelBianco, we agreed with the common pleas court in finding the commission
neither promulgated a rule nor issued an order establishing a standard with regard to
prohibited levels of 3-MT. Therefore, "because Farina was found in violation of a standard
that had not been established by a properly promulgated rule or properly adopted rule, and
that there is no evidence in the record that the commission had issued an order adopting
the ARCI guidelines as to 3-MT," we concluded the commission's order was not in
accordance with law. Farina at ¶ 28.
{¶ 23} Here, the issue is identical to the one we reviewed in Farina. Ohio Adm.Code
3769-18-01(A)(2) provides that the commission "may, by order, establish a system of
classification of prohibited foreign substances, to include methods of detection and/or
regulatory thresholds thereof, recommended penalties and disciplinary measures for the
presence of said substances in test samples." (Emphasis added.) However, as in Farina,
there is no evidence in the record before us that the commission promulgated a rule or
issued an order in accordance with Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01(A)(2) adopting the ARCI
guidelines with regard to 3-MT.2 As a result, consistent with our precedent in DelBianco
1 We note that our decision in DelBianco considered a prior version of Ohio Adm.Code 3769-18-01 in effect at
the time in question.
2 We note the commission does not contend it promulgated a rule or issued an order incorporating the ARCI
guidelines.
No. 18AP-318 8
and Farina, we conclude the common pleas court did not err in determining that the
commission's adjudication order was not in accordance with law. Accordingly, we overrule
the commission's assignment of error.
IV. Conclusion
{¶ 24} Having overruled the commission's single assignment of error, we affirm the
judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
Judgment affirmed.
KLATT, P.J., and LUPER SCHUSTER, J., concur.