PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the duties of the starter.

1. (1) The starter-

   1. (A) Is responsible to provide a fair start for each race. S/he may appoint assistants, but assistants may not handle or take charge of a horse in the starting gate except by the express permission of the starter;
   2. (B) Shall report violations of these rules occurring in the starting of a race to the stewards;
   3. (C) Shall report immediately to the stewards when a door of the starting gate fails to open as the starter dispatches the field. The stewards shall uost the inauirv sipn and have the announcer’ alert the bu&cto hold all mutuel tickets. The stewards shall then determine if the gate(s) failed to open when the starter dispatched the field and rule accordingly;
   4. (D) Shall sunervise the schooling of horses for the starting gate. The starter may require schooling for any horse s/he determines to be not sufficiently trained in starting gate procedures to ensure a fair start. S/he shall maintain a schooling list of horses designated for training, a copy of which shall be accessibly posted in the office of the racing secretary;
   5. (E) Shall maintain a list of every horse ineligible to start because of a determination by the starter that the horse is not sufficiently schooled for starting or is otherwise unable or unfit to start a race;
   6. (F) And his/her assistants are prohibited from striking or using abusive language to a jockey; and
   7. (G) Shall ensure that the horses take their positions in the starting gate in order of post position from the inside rail out.

   Auth: section 313.540, RSMo (1986). Original rule filed Oct. 3, 1986, efjectiue Jan. 12,1987.

   Roy D. Blunt