No. 39951 (Amendment): Rule R52-7. Horse Racing

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 39951
Filed: 11/18/2015 02:29:44 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule establishes the rules and guidelines for horse racing in the State of Utah. The changes to the rule clarify the requirements for entry and add some safety provisions.

Summary of the rule or change:

The rule changes remove some of the discretion given to the stewards making the requirements for entry in the race uniform. Further, the changes add some protection to the jockeys by requiring long sleeves while racing and removing the head number which obstructs the vision.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 4-38-4

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

None of the changes have an impact on how the state manages horse racing. There will be no impact on the state budget.

local governments:

Local governments have no role in the enforcement of this rule, as such there will be no costs or savings to their budgets.

small businesses:

This rule makes minor changes to what a jockey should wear and to removes discretion from the stewards. None of these changes should affect small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

As the rules require jockey's to wear long sleeves there will be an anticipated cost of the purchasing of a shirt in the appropriate racing colors.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There will be minimal costs to the jockeys to purchase the long sleeve shirt, if they are not already in posession of the appropriate attire.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The proposed rule changes are for the protection of the jockeys and to ensure that all entry requirements are being meet. This rule does not add restrictions to businesses and therefore, there are no fiscal impacts to businesses.

LuAnn Adams, Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Agriculture and Food
Horse Racing Commission (Utah)
350 N REDWOOD RD
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Kathleen Mathews at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7103, by FAX at 801-538-7126, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]
• Scott Ericson at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7102, by FAX at 801-538-7126, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

01/14/2016

This rule may become effective on:

01/21/2016

Authorized by:

LuAnn Adams, Commissioner

RULE TEXT

R52. Agriculture and Food, Horse Racing Commission (Utah).

R52-7. Horse Racing.

 

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R52-7-7. Entries and Declarations.

1. Control Over Entries And Declarations. All entries and declarations are under the supervision of the Stewards or their designee; and they, without notice, may refuse the entries any person or the transfer of entries.

2. Racing Secretary To Establish Conditions. The racing secretary may establish the conditions for any race, the allowances or handicaps to be established for specific races, the procedures for the acceptance of entries and declarations, and such other conditions as are necessary to provide and conduct the organization's race meeting. The racing secretary is responsible for the receipt of entries and declarations for all races. The racing secretary, employees of their department, or racing officials shall not disclose any pertinent information concerning entries which have been submitted until all entries are closed. After an entry to a race for which conditions have been published has been accepted by the racing secretary or their delegate, no condition of such race shall be changed, amended or altered, nor shall any new condition for such race be imposed.

3. Entries. No horse shall be entered in more than one race on the same day. No person shall enter or attempt to enter a horse for a race unless such entry is a bona fide entry made with the intention that such horse is to compete in the race for which entry is made except, if racing conditions permit, for entry back in finals or consolations involving physically disabled or dead qualifiers for purse payment purposes. Entries shall be in writing on the entry card provided by the organization and must be signed by the trainer or assistant trainer of the horse. Entries made by telephone are valid properly confirmed by the track when signing the entry card. No horse shall be allowed to start unless the entry card has been signed by the trainer or his assistant trainer.

4. Determining Eligibility. Determination of a horse's eligibility, penalty or penalties and the right to allowance or allowances for all races shall be from the date of the horse's last race unless the conditions specify otherwise. The trainer is responsible for the eligibility of his horse and to properly enter his horse in condition. In the event the records of the Racing Secretary or the appropriate breed registry do not reflect the horse's most recent starts, the trainer or owner shall accurately provide such information. If a horse is not eligible under the first condition of any race, he cannot be eligible under subsequent conditions. If the conditions specify nonwinners of a certain amount, it means that the horse has not won a race in which the winner's share was the specified amount or more. If the conditions specify nonearners of a stated amount, it means that the horse has not earned that stated amount in any total number of races regardless of the horse's placing.

5. Entries Survive With Transfer. All entries and rights of entry are valid and survive when a horse is sold with his engagements duly transferred. If a partnership agreement is properly filed with the Horsemen's Bookkeeper, subscriptions, entries and rights of entry survive in the remaining partners. Unless written notice to the contrary is filed with the stewards, the entries, rights of entry, and engagements remain with the horse and are transferred therewith to the new owner. No entry or right of entry shall become void on the death of the nominator unless the conditions of the race state otherwise.

6. Horses Ineligible To Start In A Race. In addition to any other valid ground or reason, a horse is ineligible to start any race if:

A. Such horse is not registered by The Jockey Club if a Thoroughbred; the American Quarter Horse Association if a Quarter Horse; the Appaloosa Horse Club if an Appaloosa; the Arabian Horse Club Registry of America if an Arabian; the American Paint Horse Association if a Paint; the Pinto Horse Association of America, Inc., if a Pinto; or any successors to any of the foregoing or other registry recognized by the Commission.

B. The Certificate of Foal Registration, eligibility papers, or other registration issued by the official registry for such horse is not on file with the racing secretary one hour prior to post time for the race in which the horse is scheduled to race.

C. Such horse has been entered or raced at any recognized race meeting under any name or designation other than the name or designation duly assigned by and registered with the official registry.

D. The Win Certificate, Certificate of Foal Registration, eligibility papers or other registration issued by the official registry has been materially altered, erased, removed, or forged.

E. Such horse is ineligible to enter said race, is not duly entered for such race, or remains ineligible to time of starting.

F. The trainer of such horse has not completed the prescribed licensing procedures required by the Commission before entry and the ownership of such horse has not completed the prescribed licensing procedures prior to the horse starting or the horse is in the care of an unlicensed trainer.

G. Such horse is owned in whole or in part or trained by any person who is suspended or ineligible for a license or ineligible to participate under the rules of any Turf Governing Authority or Stud Book Registry.

H. Such horse is a suspended horse.

I. Such horse is on the stewards' list, starter's list, or the veterinarian's list.

J. Except with permission of the stewards and identifier, the identification markings of the horse do not agree with identification as set forth on the registration certificate to the extent that a correction is required from the appropriate breed registry.

K. [Except with the permission of the stewards, a]A horse has not been lip tattooed by a Commission approved tattooer.

L. The entry of a horse is not in the name of his true owner.

M. The horse has drawn into the field or has started in a race on the same day.

N. Its age as determined by an examination of its teeth by the official veterinarian does not correspond to the age shown on its registration certificate, such determination by tooth examination to be made in accordance with the current "Official Guide for Determining the Age of the Horse" as adopted by the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

7. Horses Ineligible To Enter Or Start. Any horse ineligible to be entered for a race or ineligible to start in any race which is entered or competes in such race, may be scratched or disqualified; and the stewards may discipline any person responsible.

8. Registration Certificate To Reflect Correct Ownership. Every certificate of registration, eligibility certificate or lease agreement filed with the organization and its racing secretary to establish the eligibility of a horse to be entered for any race shall accurately reflect the correct and true ownership of such horse, and the name of the owner which is printed on the official program for such horse shall conform to the ownership as declared on the certificate of registration or eligibility certificate. A stable name may be registered for such owner or ownership with the Commission. In the event ownership is by syndicate, corporation, partnership or other association or entity, the name of the owner which is printed on the official program for such shall be the responsible managing owner, officer, or partner who assumes all responsibilities as the owner.

9. Alteration Or Forgery Of Certificate Of Registration. No person shall alter or forge any win sheet, certificate of registration, certificate of eligibility, or any other document of ownership or registration, no willfully forge or alter the signature of any person required on any such document or entry card.

10. Declarations And Scratches. Any trainer or assistant trainer of a horse which has been entered in a race who does not wish such horse to participate in the draw must declare his horse from the race prior to the close of entries. Any trainer or assistant trainer of a horse which has been drawn into or is also eligible for a race who does not wish such horse to start in the race, must scratch his horse from the race prior to the designated scratch time. The declaration or scratch of a horse from a race is irrevocable.

11. Deadline For Arrival Of Entered Horses. All horses scheduled to compete in a race must be present within the enclosure no later than 30 minutes prior to their scheduled race without stewards' approval. Horses not within the enclosure by their deadline may be scratched and the trainer subject to fine and/or suspension.

12. Refund Of Fees. If a horse is declared or scratched from a race, the owner of such horse shall not be entitled to a refund of any nomination, sustaining and penalty payments, entry fees, or organization charges paid or remaining due at the time of the declaration or scratch. In the event any race is not run, declared off, or canceled for any reason, the owners of such horses that remain eligible at the time the race is declared off or canceled shall be entitled to a complete refund of all the above payments and fees less monies specified in written race conditions for advertising and promotion.

13. Release Of Certificates. Any certificate of registration or document of ownership filed with the racing secretary to establish eligibility to enter a race shall be released only to the trainer of record of the horse. However, the trainer may authorize in a form provided by the racing secretary the release of the certificate to the owner named on the certificate or his authorized agent. Any disputes concerning the rights to the registration certificates shall be decided by the stewards.

14. Nomination Races. Prior to the closing of nominations, the organization shall file with the Commission a copy of the nomination blank and all advertisements for races to be run during a race meeting. For all races which nominations close no earlier than 72 hours before post time, the organization shall furnish the Commission and the owners of horses previously made eligible by compliance with the conditions of such race, with a list of all horses nominated and which remain eligible. The list shall be distributed within 15 days after the due date of each payment and shall include the horse's name, the owner's name and the total amount of payments and gross purse to date, including any added monies, applicable interest, supplementary payments, and deduction for advertising and administrative expenses. The organization shall deposit all monies for a nomination race in an escrow account according to procedures approved by the Commission.

15. Limitations On Field And Number Of Races. No race with less than two horses entered and run, shall be approved by the UHRC. No more than 20 races may be run on a race day, except with permission of the Commission. A race day may be canceled if less than 75 horses have been entered on the day's program, with the exception of days on which trials or finals for a nomination race are scheduled.

16. Agreement Upon Entry. No entry shall be accepted in any race except upon the condition that all disputes, claims, and objections arising out of the racing or with respect to the interpretation of Commission and track rules or conditions of any race shall be decided by the Board of Stewards at the race meet; or, upon appeal, decided by the Commission.

17. Selection Of Entered Horses. The manner of selecting post positions of horses shall be determined by the stewards. The selection shall be by lot and shall be made by one of the stewards or their designee and a horseman, in public, at the close of entries. If the number of entries to any race is in excess of the number of horses which may, because of track limitations, be permitted to start in any one race, the race may be split; or four horses not drawing into the field may be placed on an also eligible list.

18. Preferred List Of Horses. The racing secretary may maintain a list of entered horses eliminated from starting by a surplus of entries, and these horses shall constitute a preferred list and have preference. The manner in which the preferred list shall be maintained and all rules governing such list shall be the responsibility of the Racing Secretary. Such rules must be submitted to the Commission 30 days prior to the commencement of the meet and are subject to approval by the Commission.

 

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R52-7-9. Running the Race.

1. Jockeys To Report. Every jockey engaged to ride in a race shall report to the jockey room at least one hour before post time of the first race and shall weigh out at the appointed time unless excused by the stewards. After reporting, a jockey shall not leave the jockey room until all of their riding engagements have been fulfilled and/or unless excused by the stewards.

2. Entrance To Jockey Room Prohibited. Except with permission of the stewards or the Commission, no person shall be permitted entrance into the jockey room from one hour before post time for the first race until after the last race other than jockeys, their attendants, racing officials and security officers on duty, and organization employees performing required duties.

3. Weighing Out. All jockeys taking part in a race must be weighed out by the Clerk of Scales no more than one hour preceding the time designated for the race. Any overweight in excess of one pound shall be declared by the jockey to the Clerk of Scales, who shall report such overweight and any change in jockeys to the Stewards for immediate public announcement. A jockey's weight includes the riding costume, racing saddle and pad; but shall not include the jockey's safety helmet, whip, the horse's bridle or other regularly approved racing tack. A jockey must be neat in appearance and must wear a conventional riding costume.

4. Unruly Horses In The Paddock. If a horse is so unruly in the saddling paddock that the identifier cannot read the tattoo number and properly identify the horse; or if the trainer or their assistant is uncooperative in the effort to identify the horse, then the horse may be scratched by order of the stewards.

5. Use Of Equipment. No bridle shall weigh more than two pounds, nor shall any whip weigh more than one pound or be more than 31 inches in length. No whip shall be used unless it shall have affixed to the end thereof a leather "popper." All whips are subject to inspection and approval by the stewards. Blinkers are not to be placed on the horse until after the horse has been identified by the official identifier, except with permission of the stewards.

6. Prohibited Use Of Equipment. Jockeys are prohibited from whipping a horse excessively, brutally, or upon the head, except when necessary to control the horse. No mechanical or electrical devices or appliances other then the ordinary whip shall be possessed by any individual or used on any horse at any time a race meeting, whether in a race or otherwise.

7. Responsibility For Weight. The jockey, trainer and owner shall be responsible for the weight carried by the horse after the jockey has been weighed out for the race by the clerk of scales. The trainer or owner may substitute a jockey when the engaged jockey reports an overweight in excess of two pounds.

8. Safety Equipment Required. All persons, when mounted on a race horse within the enclosure or riding in a race, shall wear a properly fastened safety helmet and flak jacket. The Commission or the stewards may require any other person to wear such helmet and jacket when mounted on a horse within the enclosure. All safety helmets and flak jackets so required are subject to approval of the stewards or Commission.

9. Display Of Colors And Post Position Numbers. In a race, each horse shall carry a conspicuous saddle cloth number[ and a head number], and the jockey shall wear racing colors consisting of long sleeves and a numbered helmet cover corresponding to the number of the horse which are furnished by the organization licensee.

10. Deposit Of Jockey Fee. The minimum jockey mount fee for a losing mount in the race must be on deposit with the horsemen's bookkeeper, prior to the time for weighing out, and failure to have such minimum fee on deposit is cause for disciplinary action and cause for the stewards to scratch the horse for which such fee is to be deposited. The organization assumes the obligation to pay the jockey fee when earned by the engaged jockey. The jockey fee shall be considered earned when the jockey is weighed out by the clerk of scales, unless, in the opinion of the stewards, such jockey capable of riding elect to take themselves off the mount without proper cause.

11. Requirements For Horse, Trainer, And Jockey. Every horse must be in the paddock at the time appointed by the stewards before post time for their race. Every horse must be saddled in the paddock stall designated by the paddock judge unless special permission is granted by the stewards to saddle elsewhere. Each trainer or their assistant trainer having the care and custody of such horse shall be present in the paddock to supervise the saddling of the horse and shall give such instructions as may be necessary to assure the best performance of the horse. Every jockey participating in a race shall give their best effort in order to facilitate the best performance of their horse.

12. Failure To Fulfill Jockey Engagements. No jockey engaged for a certain race or for a specified time may fail or refuse to abide by his or her agreement unless excused by the stewards.

13. Control And Parade Of Horses On The Track. The horses are under the control of the starter from the time they enter the track until dispatched at the start of the race. All horses with jockey mounted shall parade and warm up carrying their weight and wearing their equipment from the paddock to the starting gate, as well as to the finish line. Any horse failing to do so may be scratched by the stewards. After passing the stands at least once, the horses may break formation and warm up until directed to proceed to the starting gate. In the event a jockey is injured during the parade to post or at the starting gate and must be replaced, the horse shall be returned to the paddock and resaddled with the replacement jockey's equipment. Such horse must carry the replacement jockey to the starting gate.

14. Start Of The Race. When the horses have reached the starting gate, they shall be placed in their starting gate stalls in the order stipulated by the starter. Except in cases of emergency, every horse shall be started by the starter from a starting gate approved by the Commission. The starter shall see that the horses are placed in their proper positions without unnecessary delay. Causes for any delay in the start shall immediately be reported to the stewards. If, when the starter dispatches the field, the doors at the front of the starting gate stall should not open properly due to a mechanical failure of malfunction of the starting gate, the stewards may declare such horse to be a nonstarter. Should a horse which is not previously scratched not be in the starting gate stall thereby causing such horse to be left when the field is dispatched by the starter, such horse shall be declared a nonstarter by the stewards.

15. Leaving The Race Course. Should a horse leave the course while moving from the paddock to starting gate, he shall return to the course at the nearest practical point to that at which he left the course, and shall complete his parade to the starting gate from the point at which he left the course. However, should such horse leave the course to the extent that he is out of the direct line of sight of the stewards, or if such horse cannot be returned to the course within a reasonable amount of time, the stewards shall scratch the horse. Any horse which leaves the course or loses its jockey during the running of a race shall be disqualified and may be placed last, or the horse may be unplaced.

16. Riding Rules. In a straightaway race, every horse must maintain position as nearly as possible in the lane in which he starts. If a horse is ridden, drifts, or swerves out of their lane in such a manner that he interferes with or impedes another horse, it is a foul. Every jockey shall be responsible for making his best effort to control and guide his mount in such a way as not to cause a foul. The stewards shall take cognizance of riding which results in a foul, irrespective of whether an objection is lodged; and if in the opinion of the stewards a foul is committed as a result of a jockey not making his best effort to control and guide their mount to avoid a foul, whether intentionally or through carelessness or incompetence, such jockey may be penalized at the discretion of the stewards.

17. Stewards To Determine Fouls And Extent Of Disqualification. The stewards shall determine the extent of interference in cases of fouls or riding infractions. They may disqualify the offending horse and place it behind such other horses as in their judgment it interfered with, or they may place it last. The stewards may determine that a horse shall be unplaced.

18. Careless Riding. A jockey shall not ride carelessly or willfully so as to permit his or her mount to interfere with or impede any other horse in the race. A jockey shall not willfully strike at another horse or jockey so as to impede, interfere with, or injure the other horse or jockey. If a jockey rides in a manner contrary to this rule, the horse may be disqualified and/or the jockey may be fined and/or suspended, or otherwise disciplined.

19. Ramifications Of A Disqualification. When a horse is disqualified by the stewards, every horse in the race owned wholly or in part by the same owner, or trained by the same trainer, may be disqualified. When a horse is disqualified for interference in a time trial race, it shall receive the time of the horse it is placed behind plus 0.01 of a second penalty, or more exact measurement if photo finish equipment permits, and shall be eligible to qualify for the finals or consolations of the race on the basis of the assigned time.

20. Dead Heat. When a race results in a dead heat, the heat shall not be run off. The purse distribution due the horses involved in the dead heat shall be divided equally between them. All prizes or trophies for which a duplicate is not awardable shall be drawn for by lot.

21. Returning To The Finish After The Race. After the race, the jockey shall return their horse to the finish and before dismounting, salute the stewards. No person shall assist a jockey in removing from their horse the equipment that is to be included in the jockey's weight except by permission of the stewards. No person shall throw any covering over any horse at the place of dismounting until the jockey has removed the equipment that is to be included in his weight.

22. Objection - Inquiry Concerning Interference. Before the race has been declared official, a jockey, trainer or their assistant trainer, owner or their authorized agent of the horse, who has reasonable grounds to believe that their horse was interfered with or impeded or otherwise hindered during the running of a race, or that any riding rule was violated by any jockey or horse during the running of the race, may immediately make a claim of interference or foul with the stewards or their delegate. The stewards shall thereupon hold an inquiry into the running of the race; however, the stewards may upon their own motion conduct an inquiry into the running of a race. Any claim of foul, objection, and/or inquiry shall be immediately announced to the public.

23. Official Order Of Finish. When satisfied that the order of finish is correct, that all jockeys unless excused have been properly weighed in, and that the race has been properly run in accordance with the rules of the Commission, the Stewards shall declare that the order of finish is official; and it shall be announced to the public, confirmed, and the official order of finish posted for the race.

24. Time Trial Qualifiers. When two or more time trial contestants have the same qualifying time, to a degree of .001 of a second, or more exact measurement if photo finish equipment permits, for fewer positions in the finals or consolation necessary for all contestants, then a draw by lot will be conducted in accordance with Subsection R52-7-7(17). However, no contestant may draw into a finals or consolation instead of a contestant which out finished such contestant. When scheduled races are trial heats for futurities or stakes races electronically timed from the starting gates, no organization licensee shall move the starting gates or allow the starting gates to be moved until all trial heats are complete, except in an emergency as determined by the stewards.

 

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KEY: horses , horse racing

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [December 11, 2013]2016

Notice of Continuation: August 30, 2011

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 4-38-4

 

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