Section 20. Paddock procedures

The trainer shall be responsible for the arrival in the paddock at the time prescribed by the stewards for each horse entered by the trainer. The following provisions shall apply to the procedures to be followed in the paddock:

1. The paddock time shall not be less than one hour prior to post time;

2. Except for warmup trip, no horse shall leave the paddock until the post parade;

3. No driver, trainer or groom, once admitted to the paddock shall leave the paddock unless to attend a horse during a warmup trip;

4. Once leaving the paddock no person, except an owner who has another horse entered in a later race, shall be permitted to return;

5. Any horse that falls to the racing surface during a warmup trip shall be automatically excused by the stewards;

6. The licensee shall provide the services of a farrier during hours when horses are racing or taking warmup trips; and

7. The licensee shall provide equipment so that racing will not be unnecessarily delayed due to broken equipment.

8. A trainer may exercise his option not to take warmup trips with his horse prior to racing; however, such horse shall be satisfactorily paraded before the commission veterinarian or his assistant prior to starting in a race to determine the horse's fitness for racing.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR662-05-02 § 2.1, eff. July 15, 1991; amended, Volume 16, Issue 26, eff. August 14, 2000.

Statutory Authority

§ 59.1-369 of the Code of Virginia.