Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.'s licensing dispute with Kentucky horse racing regulators appears headed toward a new phase.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Wednesday denied Dutrow's request that his license application be withdrawn.
Earlier this year, the commission's License Review Committee denied the trainer a license to race in the state in 2011. Commission executive director Lisa Underwood said at the time that the committee's denial was based on Dutrow's ''consistent disregard for the rules of racing.''
Underwood said Wednesday the commission's latest decision means Dutrow's appeal can proceed to a hearing officer, who will review the case and submit a recommendation to the commission. The commission can accept, reject or modify the recommendations.
Dutrow won the Derby and Preakness in 2008 with Big Brown but has had trouble staying out of trouble since.
