Rule 3769-14-54 | Expanded homestretch racing.
(A) With prior approval of the commission, a track may expand the width of its homestretch by no less than ten feet nor more than fourteen feet inward in relation to the width of the rest of the race track.
(B) In the event the homestretch is expanded pursuant to paragraph (A) of this rule, the following shall apply:
(1) When entering or while going through the homestretch for the first time in a race, no horse shall use the expanded inside lane in an attempt to pass other horses or improve its position. Any horse which does so shall be disqualified and placed last in the order of finish.
(2) The lead horse in the homestretch shall maintain as straight a course as possible while allowing trailing horses full access to the expanded inside lane. If, in the opinion of the judges, the lead horse changes course in the homestretch in an attempt to prevent a trailing horse from passing, said horse may be placed accordingly.
(3) Horses using the expanded inside lane, during the homestretch drive for the finish of the race, must first have complete clearance of the pylons marking the inside boundary of the race course. Any horse or sulky running over one or more of the pylons or going inside the pylons, while attempting to use the expanded inside lane, may be disqualified and placed last in the order of finish.
(4) During the last one-eighth mile of a race a horse may only be driven into the expanded home stretch lane for the purpose of passing another horse and may not be driven into the expanded home stretch lane for the purpose of blocking a trailing horse. It shall be presumed that any horse driven into the expanded home stretch lane which blocks a trailing horse, without advancing on the horse it was allegedly attempting to pass, was being driven for the purpose of blocking a trailing horse. If in the opinion of a majority of the judges, a horse is driven into the expanded home-stretch lane for the purpose of blocking a trailing horse, the driver of the blocking horse may be fined and/or suspended and the horse may be placed accordingly.
Last updated March 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
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