After stepping away from the sport of Thoroughbred racing for more than a year, Wayne Potts returned to training horses this summer. Still in the “starting-over” mode, Potts is hoping to work his way back to the success he enjoyed at Aqueduct in the winter of 2021-22. Nineteen months ago, the New York Racing Association announced it was denying Potts – and five other trainers – stalls for the 2022 Aqueduct spring and Belmont spring meets. Potts was cited for several violations including having a non-FDA-approved drug in his tack room. He was facing multiple suspensions from the New York Gaming Commission as well as one from the New Jersey Racing Commission. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Potts did not run a horse from April 9, 2022, through June 22, 2023. He returned this summer at Monmouth, where he won four races from 28 starters. He also has gone 4 for 15 at Delaware Park. So far, he is winless with 12 starters in New York, four at Saratoga, eight at Aqueduct. “I wanted to step away from it a little bit. I stepped fully away and everything I had I got rid of and came back and started fresh,” Potts said recently. “I’m a great horseman. I had some financial issues I had to take care of – that’s the main reason I had to step away and get myself together.” Potts, who won 11 races from 55 starters at Aqueduct’s 2021-22 winter meet, said he currently has mostly claiming horses and a few 2-year-olds for a mix of clients. “I have some clients that stood behind me when I came back, and I’m back in action,” he said. According to a NYRA spokesman, racing officials met with Potts several times before granting his stall application. “Although we are confident that Potts is now running a professional operation, NYRA retains the discretion to revoke or reduce stall space should circumstances change,” NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna said. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.