Section 130. Racing

A. Although a leading horse is entitled to any part of the racing surface, except after selecting his position in the home stretch, the driver of the leading horse and any other driver committing any of the following acts shall be subject to disciplinary action:

1. Changing either to the right or left during any part of the race when another horse is so near him that it causes the other horse to shorten its stride or make a break;

2. Jostling, striking, hooking wheels or interfering with another horse or driver;

3. Crossing sharply in front of a horse or crossing over in front of a field of horses in a reckless manner, endangering other drivers;

4. Swerving in and out or pulling up quickly;

5. Crowding a horse or driver;

6. Carrying a horse out;

7. Causing confusion or interference among trailing horses;

8. Letting a horse pass inside needlessly or otherwise helping another horse to improve his position in the race;

9. Committing any act which shall impede the progress of another horse or causing him to break;

10. Changing course after selecting a position in the home stretch;

11. Swerving in and out, or bearing in and out, in a manner so as to interfere with another horse, cause another driver to change course or take back;

12. Driving in a careless or reckless manner;

13. Loud shouting or other improper conduct; and

14. Kicking a horse, which shall be defined as a blow or thrust with the foot against any part of the horse's body or to impel by striking with the foot. Removal of a foot from the stirrups in and of itself shall not constitute the offense of kicking. The stewards shall assess a minimum fine of $200, a suspension or both disciplinary actions for the first violation, and any subsequent violation shall result in a suspension.

B. If at a racetrack that does not have a continuous solid inside hub rail a horse or part of the horse's sulky leaves the course by going inside the hub rail or other demarcation that constitutes the inside limits of the course, the offending horse shall be placed one or more positions where, in the opinion of the stewards, the action gave the horse an unfair advantage over other horses in the race or the action helped the horse improve its position in the race. In addition, when an act of interference causes a horse or part of the horse's sulky to cross the inside limits of the course, and the horse is placed by the judges, the offending horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR662-05-02 § 3.2, eff. July 15, 1991; amended, Volume 16, Issue 26, eff. August 14, 2000; Volume 18, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2002; Volume 20, Issue 04, eff. November 17, 2003.

Statutory Authority

§ 59.1-369 of the Code of Virginia.