Section R. 431.1260 - Authority of stewardsRule 1260. Stewards are authorized to do all of the following:
(a) Make all findings of fact as to all matters occurring during an incident to the running of a race; determine all objections and inquiries based on the interference by a horse, improper course covered by a horse, foul riding by a jockey, foul driving by a driver, and all other matters occurring during an incident to the running of a race; and determine the extent of disqualification, if any, of horses in a race for a foul committed during the race. The findings of fact and determinations are final, but subject to appeal. In the performance of their duties, stewards have unrestricted access to all areas used and under the jurisdiction of other racing officials and to all areas used by occupational licensees for racing purposes.(b) Determine all protests, complaints, or objections concerning the conduct of racing which arise during a race meeting and enforce the determinations.(c) Fine, suspend, or rule off a participant in racing, or order ejected or excluded from the grounds any person, licensed or unlicensed, upon a reasonable belief that a violation of these rules has occurred.(d) Fine, suspend, or rule off a participant in racing who, in their opinion, has acted to the detriment of racing, and order ejected or excluded from the grounds any other disorderly person.(e) Interpret and enforce the rules of racing and determine all questions pertaining to a racing matter not specifically covered by these rules in conformity with justice and the best interest of racing, subject to the authority and orders of the executive director.(f) Issue decisions or rulings pertaining to the conduct of racing which shall supersede orders of the officers, directors, and officials of an association and which shall, if the stewards consider proper, vary any arrangement for the conduct of a race meeting, including without limitation, postponing a race, cancelling a race, or ruling a race as no contest.(g) Request and receive assistance in the investigation of possible rule infractions from all of the following: (i) Employees of the executive director.(iii) Track security forces.(iv) State and local police.(v) Investigators representing trade groups to which associations may belong.(h) Conduct hearings on all questions, disputes, protests, complaints, or objections concerning racing matters.(i) Exclude from any race a horse which is improperly equipped, dangerous, unmanageable, unfit to race, liable to cause accident or injury to another horse or a jockey or driver in a race, or of questionable identity.(j) Order, at any time, an examination, by the persons as the stewards consider appropriate, of any horse on the grounds or eligible to race at the meeting; order the examination of ownership papers, certificates, documents of eligibility, contracts, or leases pertaining to the horse; and require an affidavit of ownership or interest in any horse.(k) Refuse, for good cause, the entry to any race of any horse which is ineligible to race and order any horse removed from the grounds.(l) Order redistribution of race purses when the stewards consider it appropriate.Mich. Admin. Code R. 431.1260
1985 AACS; 2021 MR 6, Eff. 3/26/2021