Rule 3769-16-29 | Starters, unmanageable, bad acting horses, post positions by heats.
(A) Starters: the horses are deemed to have started when the word "go" is given by the starter and all the horses must go the course except in case of an accident in which it is the opinion of the judges that it is impossible to go the course.
(B) Accident warning lights. Every extended pari-mutuel track will be equipped with a three-light system of green, yellow, and red beacon style warning lights and sirens for use in the event of an accident. From the time the ambulance is on site and ready for immediate duty as defined in rule 3769-14-12 of the Administrative Code, the judges will activate the green "all clear" light to signal no known problems on the racetrack.
(1) At any point during the live racing card, if the judges determine there is a condition on the racetrack requiring the drivers to proceed with caution, the judges will activate the yellow "caution" warning light.
(2) The following will be considered grounds for the judges to declare a heat or race a "no contest" at an extended pari-mutuel meet racetrack:
(a) If, in the opinion of the judges, the safety of the drivers and horses are in jeopardy due to an incident; or
(b) If a horse is traveling clockwise; or
(c) The judges activate the red light and siren to declare the race a "no contest" due to safety issues.
Upon the activation of the red light and siren all drivers in a race will immediately cease racing, follow any instructions of the judges, starter, track announcer, or racing officials to get off the track as quickly and safely as they can. Drivers refusing to stop racing may be subject to a monetary penalty or suspension. When the red "no contest" light is turned off, the judges will activate the green "all clear" light as a signal for warm-ups and live racing to resume.
(C) Unmanageable horse: if, in the opinion of the judges or starter, a horse is unmanageable or liable to cause accidents or injury to any other horse or to any driver, it may be sent to the barn. When this action is taken, the starter will notify the judges who will in turn notify the public, and refund all wagers on said horse.
(D) Bad acting horse: the starter may place a bad acting horse on the outside at his discretion. Such action may be taken only where there is time for the starter to notify the judges who will in turn notify the public prior to the sale of tickets on such race. If tickets have been sold, the bad acting horse must be scratched under the provision of paragraph (C) of this rule.
(E) Post positions, heat racing: the horse winning a heat will take the pole (or inside position) the succeeding heat, unless otherwise specified in the published conditions, and all others shall take their positions in the order they were placed the last heat. When two or more horses shall have made a dead heat, their positions shall be settled by lot.
(F) Shield: the arms of all starting gates will be provided with a screen or shield in front of the position for each horse, and such arms shall be perpendicular to the rail.
(G) Every licensed starter is required to check his starting gate for malfunctions before commencing any meeting, and to practice the procedure to be followed in the event of malfunction. Both the starter and the driver of the gate must know and practice emergency procedures, and the starter is responsible for the training of drivers in such procedures.
Last updated December 20, 2023 at 8:41 AM
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