The hearing officer in the lengthy Life At Ten investigation has requested a 30-day extension to complete his report to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC).

Robert Layton, who is the chief hearing officer for the Office of Administrative Hearings within the Energy and Environment Cabinet, is drafting the report based on three days of hearings conducted this summer into whether Kentucky chief steward John Veitch violated any rules of racing in his handling of the Life At Ten affair and subsequent filings from attorneys for both parties.

"While the appeal does not present legally complex issues, there is voluminous and contradictory factual proof to be addressed, which requires substantial time to weigh and address," Layton said in his Nov. 14 request. "The hearing officer has also maintained a full docket of hearing cases for the Energy and Environmental Cabinet during this proceeding."

Under Kentucky law, a hearing officer shall file a written recommended order that includes findings of fact and recommended penalties within 60 days after receiving an official record of the proceedings, unless an extension is granted. Nov. 14 was the deadline for the recommended report