Iowa Admin. Code r. 491-7.3

Current through Register Vol. 47, No.14, January 8, 2025

Rule 491-7.3 - Racing officials-duties

(1)Racing officials-general.

a. The officials of a race meeting shall include: the stewards; commission veterinarian; commission veterinary assistants; director of racing; mutuel manager; racing secretary; assistant racing secretary; chart writer; paddock judge; clerk of scales; lure operator; brakeman; photo finish operator/timer; starter; patrol judge; and kennel master.

b. All racing officials, except the state stewards, commission veterinarian and commission veterinary assistants, shall be appointed by the facility. Appointments by the facility are subject to the approval of the commission or commission representative. The commission or commission representative may demand a change of personnel for what the commission deems good and sufficient reason. The appointment of a successor to racing officials shall be subject to the approval of the administrator or commission representative.

c. Racing officials are prohibited from the following activities:

(1) Having any interest in the sale, lease, purchase, or ownership of any greyhound racing at the meeting, or its sire or dam.

(2) Wagering on the outcome of a race at the facility where they are employed.

(3) Owning a business or being employed by a business that does business with the facility.

(4) Accepting or receiving money or anything of value for assistance in connection with the racing official's duties.

(2)Stewards.

a. There shall be three stewards for each racing meet, two of whom shall be appointed by the commission and one who shall be nominated by the facility for approval by the commission or commission representative.

b. The laws of Iowa and the rules of the commission supersede the conditions of arace. In matters pertaining to racing, the orders of the stewards supersede the orders of the officers of the facility.

c. The stewards shall have the authority to interpret the rules and to decide all questions not specifically covered by the rules.

d. All questions pertaining to the extent of the stewards' authority shall be determined by a majority of the stewards.

e. The stewards shall have the authority to regulate owners, trainers, kennel helpers, all other persons attendant to greyhounds, racing officials, and licensed personnel of the racing meet and those persons addressed by 491-paragraph 4.6(5)"e."

f. The stewards shall have the authority to determine all questions arising with reference to entries and racing.

g. The stewards shall have the authority to call for proof that a greyhound is neither itself disqualified in any respect, nor nominated by, nor the property, wholly or in part, of a disqualified person, and in default of proof being given to their satisfaction, they may declare the greyhound disqualified.

h. The stewards shall have the authority to order at any time an examination of any greyhound entered for a race or which has run in a race.

i. The stewards shall take notice of any questionable conduct, with or without complaint, and shall investigate promptly and render a decision on every objection and on every complaint made to them.

j. The stewards, in order to maintain necessary safety and health conditions and to protect the public confidence in greyhound racing as a sport, shall have the right to authorize a person(s) on their behalf to enter into or upon the buildings, kennels, rooms, motor vehicles, trailers, or other places within the premises of a facility, to examine same, and to inspect and examine the person, personal property, and effects of any person within such place, and to seize any illegal articles or any items as evidence found.

k. The steward(s) present shall appoint one or two persons to serve as temporary stewards if a vacancy or vacancies occur among the stewards.

l. The stewards may excuse a greyhound, after it has left the paddock for the post, if they consider the greyhound injured, disabled, or unfit to run. All money on the greyhound shall be refunded.

m. The stewards shall determine the finish of a race by the relative position of the muzzle, or nose if the muzzle is lost or hanging, of each greyhound. They shall immediately notify the mutuel department of the numbers of the first three (four in races with superfecta wagering) greyhounds.

(1) The stewards shall promptly display the numbers of the first three (four in races with superfecta wagering) greyhounds in each race in order of their finishes. If the stewards differ in their placing, the majority shall prevail.

(2) The stewards may consult a picture from the photo finish camera whenever they consider it advisable; however, in all cases, the camera is merely an aid and the decision of the stewards shall be final.

(3) The stewards may post, without waiting for a picture, such placements as are in their opinion unquestionable and, after consulting the picture, make other placements. However, in no case shall the race be declared official until the stewards have determined the greyhounds finishing first, second and third (and fourth in races with superfecta wagering).

(4) The stewards may correct an error before the display of the sign "Official" or recall the sign "Official" in case it has been displayed through error.

n. The stewards may place any greyhound on the schooling list at any time for any reason that, in their opinion, warrants such action.

(3)Commission veterinarian and veterinary assistants.

a. The commission veterinarian shall advise the commission and the stewards on all veterinary matters.

b. The commission veterinarian shall be on the premises of the facility at weigh-in time and during all racing hours. The veterinarian shall examine the physical condition of each greyhound at weigh-in time, observe each greyhound as it enters the lock-out kennel, and reexamine the greyhound when the greyhound enters the paddock prior to the race, and recommend to the stewards that any greyhound deemed unsafe to race or physically unfit to produce a satisfactory effort in a race be scratched.

c. The commission veterinarian shall place any greyhound determined to be sick or have a communicable disease, or any greyhound deemed unsafe, unsound, or unfit, on a veterinarian's list which shall be posted in a conspicuous place available to all owners, trainers, and racing officials. Once a greyhound has been placed on the veterinarian's list, it must remain on the list for at least three calendar days and may be allowed to race only after it has been removed from the list by the commission veterinarian.

d. The commission veterinarian shall have full access to each and every kennel where greyhounds are kenneled on the facility premises. The commission veterinarian shall inspect the general physical condition of the greyhounds, sanitary conditions of the kennels, segregation of female greyhounds in season, segregation of sick greyhounds, the types of medicine found in use, incidents of cruel and inhumane treatment, and any other matters or conditions which are brought to the attention of the commission veterinarian.

e. The commission veterinarian shall have supervision and control of the detention area for collection of body fluid samples for the testing of greyhounds for prohibited medication.

f. The commission veterinarian shall not be licensed to participate in racing in any other capacity. A commission veterinarian may not prescribe any medication for, or treat, any greyhound owned by a person licensed by the commission, on or away from any facility, with or without compensation, except in the case of an emergency; this provision does not apply to a relief veterinarian appointed by the administrator to cover the absence of the commission veterinarian. When emergency treatment is given, a commission veterinarian shall make a complete written report to the stewards. Euthanasia of greyhounds shall not be considered treatment.

g. The commission veterinarian shall conduct a postmortem examination on every greyhound to determine the injury or sickness which resulted in the euthanasia or death if:

(1) A greyhound suffers a breakdown on the racetrack.

(2) A greyhound expires while kenneled on facility premises.

h. Commission veterinary assistant. The commission veterinarian may employ persons to assist in maintaining the detention area and collecting body fluid samples.

(4)Director of racing.

a. The director of racing shall have full supervision over kennel owners, greyhound owners, trainers, kennel helpers, lead-outs, and all facility racing officials.

b. The director of racing shall ensure that all racing department personnel are properly trained in the discharge of their duties.

(5)Mutuel manager. The mutuel manager is responsible for the operation of the mutuel department. The mutuel manager shall ensure that any delays in the running of official races caused by totalizator malfunctions are reported to the stewards. The mutuel manager shall submit a written report on a delay when requested by a state steward.

(6)Racing secretary and assistant racing secretary.

a. The racing secretary shall discharge all duties whether expressed or required by the rules and shall keep a complete record of all races.

b. The racing secretary is responsible for maintaining a file of the NGA certificate, Iowa Greyhound Park lease (or appropriate substitute) and ownership papers on greyhounds racing at the meeting. The racing secretary shall inspect all papers and documents dealing with owners and trainers, partnership agreements, appointments of authorized agents, and adoption of kennel names to be sure they are accurate, complete, and up to date. The racing secretary has the authority to demand the production of any documents or other evidence in order to be satisfied as to their validity and authenticity to ensure compliance with the rules. The racing secretary shall be responsible for the care and security of the papers while the greyhounds are located on facility property. Disclosure is made for the benefit of the public, and all documents pertaining to the ownership or lease of a greyhound filed with the racing secretary shall be available for public inspection.

c. The racing secretary shall ensure that current valid vaccination certificates for diseases, as determined by the commission veterinarian, are submitted for greyhounds housed within facility property. The racing secretary shall also maintain records of vaccinations in such a manner as to notify the stewards, the commission veterinarian, and the trainer of impending expiration ten days prior to the actual date of expiration.

d. The racing secretary shall receive and enter all entries and withdrawals as set forth in this chapter. Conditions of races shall not conflict with commission rules and the racing secretary shall, each day, as soon as the entries have closed and been compiled and the withdrawals have been made, post in a conspicuous place an overnight listing of the greyhounds in each race. The racing secretary shall make every effort to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all greyhound owners and kennel owners in the drawing of all races.

e. The racing secretary shall not allow any greyhound to start in a race unless the greyhound is entered in the name of the legal owner and the owner's name appears on the registration papers, a legal lease, or bill of sale attached to the registration papers.

f. The racing secretary shall not allow any greyhound to start in a race if it is in any way ineligible or disqualified.

g. Assistant racing secretary. The facility may employ an assistant racing secretary who shall assist the racing secretary in the performance of duties and serve under the supervision of the racing secretary.

(7)Chart writer.

a. The chart writer shall compile the information necessary for a program that shall be printed for each racing day. The program shall contain the names of the greyhounds that are to run in each of the races for that day. These names shall appear in the order of their post positions designated by numerals placed at the left.

b. The program or form sheet must carry at least two past performances of each greyhound scheduled to race. The program or form sheet must also contain name; color; sex; date of whelping; breeding; established racing weight; number of starts in official races; number of times finishing first, second and third; name of owner or lessee (if applicable); name of trainer; distance of race; track record; and other information to enable the public to properly judge the greyhound's ability.

c. If a greyhound's name is changed, the new name, together with the former name, shall be published in the official entries and program until after the greyhound has started six times.

(8)Paddock judge.

a. The paddock judge shall complete a Bertillion card for each greyhound prior to entering official schooling or an official race, by a physical inspection of each greyhound and comparison with NGA ownership papers. Inconsistencies between the physical inspection and NGA papers shall be noted on the Bertillion card, and significant inconsistencies shall be reported to the stewards.

b. The paddock judge shall fully identify and check, using the Bertillion card index system of identification maintained by the facility, all greyhounds starting in schooling and official races while in the paddock before post time. No greyhound shall be permitted to start in an official schooling race or official race that has not been fully identified and checked against the Bertillion card. The paddock judge shall report to the stewards any greyhound(s) that does not conform to the card index identification.

c. The paddock judge shall provide to the stewards, at the beginning of each race meeting and during the meeting if requested by the stewards due to inaccuracies or exceptional circumstances, written certification of the accuracy of the official scale used for weighing greyhounds.

d. The paddock judge shall supervise the kennel master and lead-outs in the performance of their duties.

e. The paddock judge shall not allow any greyhound to be weighed in unless it has an identification tag attached to its collar indicating the number of the race in which the greyhound is entered and its post position. This tag shall not be removed until the greyhound has been weighed out and blanketed.

f. The paddock judge shall not allow anyone to weigh in a greyhound for racing unless the person has a valid kennel owner's, trainer's, or assistant trainer's license issued by the commission.

g. The paddock judge shall not allow any greyhound to leave the paddock for the starting box unless it is equipped with a regulation muzzle and blanket. The blanket worn by each greyhound shall prominently display the numeral corresponding to the greyhound's assigned post position. The muzzles and blankets used shall be approved by the paddock judge, who shall carefully examine them in the paddock before the greyhound leaves for the post to ensure they are properly fitted and secured.

h. The paddock judge shall keep on hand and ready for use extra muzzles of all sizes, lead straps, and collars.

i. The paddock judge shall assign post positions to lead-outs by lot and maintain a record of all such assignments.

j. The paddock judge shall report all delays and weight violations to the stewards.

(9)Clerk of scales.

a. The clerk of scales shall weigh all greyhounds in and out in a uniform manner and observe the weight display and scale platform when reading the weight.

b. The clerk of scales shall post a scale sheet of weights in a conspicuous location promptly after weighing.

c. The clerk of scales shall prevent a greyhound from passing the scales if there should be a weight variation as set forth in subrules 7.9(4), 7.9(5), and 7.9(6). The clerk of scales shall promptly notify the paddock judge of the weight variation, who will report to the stewards any infraction of the rules as to weight or weighing.

d. The clerk of scales shall report all late scratches and weights for display on the tote board or on a bulletin board located in a place conspicuous to the wagering public.

e. The clerk of scales shall ensure that all greyhounds are weighed in and weighed out with a muzzle, collar, and lead strap.

f. The clerk of scales shall keep a list of all greyhounds known by the racing officials to be consistent weight losers while in the lock-out kennel and shall notify the stewards as to the weight loss of any such greyhound before each race.

(10)Lure operator.

a. The lure operator shall operate the lure in a smooth, uniform, and consistent manner so as not to impede or otherwise disrupt the running of the race.

b. The lure operator shall ensure that the distance between the lure and lead greyhound is consistent with the distance prescribed by the stewards.

c. The lure operator shall take into consideration the location on the course and the prevailing weather conditions to maintain the appropriate distance of the lure from the lead greyhound.

d. The lure operator shall be held accountable by the stewards for the lure's operation.

e. The lure operator shall determine that the lure is in good operating condition and shall immediately report to the stewards any circumstance that may prevent the normal, consistent operation of the lure.

(11)Brakeman.

a. Prior to the running of each race, the brakeman shall:

(1) Ensure that the brake system is in good operating condition, which includes properly unlocking the brake.

(2) Inspect the lure motor for any noticeable malfunctions.

(3) Ensure that the lure is secured and the arm is fully extended into a stable and locked position.

(4) Inspect the rail to ensure that it is in perfect repair and free of debris.

b. The brakeman shall ensure that the arm has retracted and stop the lure in a safe and consistent manner after each race is finished.

(12)Photo finish operator/timer.

a. The photo finish operator/timer shall maintain the photo finish and timing equipment in proper working order and shall photograph each race.

b. The photo finish operator/timer shall be responsible for and declare the official time of each race. The time of the race shall be taken from the opening of the doors of the starting box.

c. The timer shall use the time shown on the timing device as the official time of the race if the timer is satisfied that the timing device is functioning properly; otherwise, the timer shall use the time recorded manually with a stopwatch.

(13)Starter.

a. The starter shall give orders and take measures not in conflict with commission rules necessary to secure a fair start. There shall be no start until, and no recall after, the doors of the starting box have opened except under subrules 7.12(10) and 7.12(11).

b. The starter shall report causes of delay to the stewards.

(14)Patrol judge.

a. The patrol judge shall supervise the lead-outs and greyhounds from paddock to post.

b. The patrol judge, in view of the stewards and the public, shall inspect the muzzles and blankets of greyhounds to ensure muzzles and blankets are properly fitted and secured after the greyhounds have left the paddock.

c. The patrol judge shall assist the starter in the starter's duties upon the arrival of the lead-outs and greyhounds at the starting box.

(15)Kennel master.

a. The kennel master shall unlock the prerace lock-out kennels immediately before weigh-in to inspect that the lock-out kennels are in proper working order and that nothing has been deposited in any of the lock-out crates.

b. The kennel master or designee must receive the greyhounds from the trainer, one at a time, and ensure that each greyhound is placed in its lock-out crate and continue to ensure the security of the lock-out area from weigh-in until the time when greyhounds are removed for the last race of a performance.

c. The kennel master shall, on a daily basis, ensure that the lock-out kennels are sprayed, disinfected, maintained in proper sanitary condition, and at an appropriate temperature and climate.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 491-7.3

Amended by IAB March 27, 2019/Volume XLI, Number 20, effective 5/1/2019