Title 9 Part 4115

The commission shall appoint and employ one or more starters to serve at each meeting.

The starter shall have complete control over all horses participating in the racing program from the formation of the post parade until the word “go” is given. The starter shall have authority to fine drivers not to exceed $50 for violation of any of the following rules of the start:

Every licensed harness race track shall utilize a mobile starting gate, of a type and quality approved by the commission, with which to start races, unless special permission to start races by other means is given by the commission or track steward.

If a horse is scratched or withdrawn from the start, horses with post positions outside of that of the withdrawn horse, may move one post position closer to the rail. In the event there are two tiers of horses, the withdrawing of a horse that has drawn or earned a position in the front tier shall not affect the position of the horses that have drawn or earned positions in the second tier.

The horses shall be allowed two warm-up scores, unless otherwise directed by the starter, before being called to form a parade. The starter shall have full control of the horses from the formation of the parade until the starter gives the word “go.” The starter shall be stationed at or near the starting point and shall give the word “go” as close as possible to such starting or release point. All drivers shall follow the instructions of the starter as closely as possible and shall avoid unnecessary delay in the parade and scoring. If the word “go” is not given, all the horses in the race shall immediately turn on signal and jog back to their parade positions for a fresh start. There shall be no recall after the starting word has been given.

The starter may exclude a driver who fails or refuses to obey the starter’s instructions for the heat or race. The starter may fine such driver not to exceed $50 and may order a substitute driver.

The starter may excuse a bad acting horse prior to passing the recall post. There will be no recall for a bad acting or off gait horse after the recall post is passed.

The horses shall be deemed to have started when the word “go” is given by the starter and all the horses must go the course except, if in the opinion of the judges, one or more horses should be deemed non-starters to protect the wagering public due to an unfair start or a no contest is called.

If in the opinion of the judges or the starter a horse is unmanageable or liable to cause accidents or injury to any other horse or to any driver, it may be sent to the barn, but the declaration fees on the horse shall then be refunded.

Handicap races shall be started with a starting gate, unless permission to start handicap races by using snap barriers or walk-up starts, has been approved by the track steward. When snap barriers are used, all such barriers shall be sprung simultaneously with the announcement of the word “go.”

If a starter, having fined a driver $50, believes that a greater penalty should be imposed, either by additional monetary fine or a suspension, he shall so recommend to the judges who shall review the matter and take such action as they deem appropriate. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the imposition by the judges on their own initiative of a censure or penalty for the failure of a driver to obey the rules of the start.