SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Champion trainer Chad Brown on Monday pleaded guilty to harassment in the second degree, a violation, and a lesser charge than the “obstruction of breathing” charge, a misdemeanor, levied against him for a domestic disturbance incident at his Saratoga home last August. The lesser charge alleviates Brown of any criminal wrongdoing in the matter, provided Brown goes arrest free for one year, according to Judge Francine Vero of Saratoga Springs City Court. Vero set certain parameters to the plea deal reached between Brown and the Saratoga District Attorney’s Office and revealed in court Monday. Vero ordered that Brown undergo an evaluation from a certified behavior health professional who must supply the court with an evaluation by Jan. 6. Vero also issued a two-year order of protection for the alleged victim who is a former romantic acquaintance of Brown’s and who does work as an exercise rider/assistant trainer for somebody else on the tracks where Brown also has horses stabled. In light of the fact both work at the same track, the judge did allow for “incidental contact,” but no direct or indirect communication between Brown and the woman, whom Daily Racing Form is not naming. Brown also was fined $370, which included $120 in fees. The Saratoga District Attorney’s Office offered this reduced charge because it admitted in court “there may be difficulties that arise at trial in terms of witness statements and certain evidence,” assistant district attorney Rachael Phelan told the judge Monday. Brown was present in court Monday and later, through his attorney Matt Chauvin, released a statement. “While I’m satisfied to put this unfortunate incident behind me and pleased that as a result I will not have a criminal record, I regret details of my personal life being made public through the media,” Brown said. “For this, I apologize to my family, friends, clients, and coworkers. I can and will do better in the future. I greatly appreciate all who have supported me through this ordeal.” Chauvin said he was confident his client would prevail at trial, but said Brown agreed to accept the plea because he wanted to put this matter behind him. “A non-criminal outcome is always a favorable disposition for the defendant,” Chauvin said outside of court. “I was very confident in our ability to achieve a resolution at trial that would have been favorable for him, but he made a decision to accept this offer. It closes the case today, it leaves him with no criminal history, and it doesn’t put anybody through the trial process.” The initial reports of the incident indicated that Brown had pushed a woman down a flight of stairs at his home, pinned her to the ground, and tried to choke her. Brown was arrested and spent one night in jail before being released on $2,500 bail. Brown, through other parties including his attorney and one of his owners, maintained that he was protecting himself from someone who was not invited into his home. “The events that occurred that night were much different than what was articulated, and that’s the reason why you see a favorable disposition and the people acknowledging on the record there were significant difficulties in the proof and they did not want to move forward with the case,” Chauvin said. Brown, 43, is a four-time Eclipse Award winner and, through Sunday, leads all trainers in North America this year in purse money won with $30,003,114. His 232 wins rank him fourth in North America and include a victory with Early Voting in the Preakness Stakes.