N.J. Admin. Code § 13:71-20.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 13:71-20.6 - Racing and track rules; driving procedures

(a) Although a leading horse is entitled to any part of the track except after selecting his position in the home stretch, neither the driver or the first horse nor any other driver in the race shall:

1. Change either to the right or left during any part of the race when another horse is so near him that in altering his positions he compels the horse behind him to shorten his stride, or causes the driver of such other horse to pull him out of his stride;

2. Jostle, strike, hook wheels or interfere with another horse or driver;

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

4. Swerve in and out or pull up quickly;

5. Crowd a horse or driver by "putting a wheel under him";

6. "Carry a horse out" or "sit down in front of him", take up abruptly in front of other horses so as to cause confusion or interference among the trailing horses;

7. Let a horse pass inside needlessly, or do any other act which constitutes what is popularly known as helping;

8. Commit any act which impedes the progress of another horse or causes him to "break";

9. Change course after selecting a position in the home stretch and swerve in or out, or bear in or out, in such manner as to interfere with another horse or cause him to change course or take back;

10. To drive in a careless or reckless manner;

11. Laying off a normal pace and leaving a hole when it is well within the horse's capacity to keep the hole closed;

12. Drivers must set and maintain a pace comparable to the class in which they are racing. Failure to do so by going an excessively slow quarter or any other distance that changes the normal pattern, overall timing, or general outcome of the race, or allowing his horse to go on an unrestrained break will be considered a violation of this section and the judges may impose a penalty which can be a fine, suspension or both.

(b) With the approval of the Racing Commission, a track may extend the width of its homestretch up to 10 feet inward in relation to the width of the rest of the racetrack. In the event the homestretch is expanded pursuant to this subsection, the following shall apply:

1. No horse shall use the extended inside lane except when entering the final homestretch run;

2. The lead horse in the homestretch shall maintain as straight a course as possible while allowing trailing horses full access to the extended inside lane; and

3. Judge's discretion shall prevail in all instances regarding the open stretch.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:71-20.6

As amended, R.1982 d.109, effective 4/5/1982.
See: 13 N.J.R. 820(a), 14 N.J.R. 347(a).
"or allowing . . . break", added.
Amended by R.1992 d.268, effective 7/6/1992.
See: 24 N.J.R. 686(a), 24 N.J.R. 2462(a).
Added (b).