Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 305.131 - General authority and dutiesThe Starter shall have complete jurisdiction over the starting gate, the starting of horses and the authority to give orders not in conflict with the rules as may be required to ensure all participants an equal opportunity to a fair start. The decision of the Starter as to the validity of a start shall be final. In performance of the Starter's duties, the starter may:
(1) Appoint and supervise assistant Starters who have demonstrated they are adequately trained to safely handle horses in the starting gate. In emergency situations, the Starter may appoint qualified individuals to act as substitute assistant Starters;(2) Ensure that at least one assistant Starter is available for each horse in a race;(3) Assign the starting gate stall positions to assistant Starters and notify the assistant Starters of their respective stall positions not more than 10 minutes before post time for the race;(4) Assess the ability of each person applying for a jockey's license in breaking from the starting gate and working a horse in the company of other horses, and shall make said assessment known to the Stewards; and(5) Load horses into the gate in any order deemed necessary to ensure a safe and fair start.