1. A. Stewards to inquire: The stewards shall take cognizance of foul riding and, upon their own motion or that of any racing official or person empowered by this chapter to object or complain, shall make diligent inquiry or investigation into such objection or complaint when properly received.

2. B. Race objections:

   1. (1) An objection to an incident alleged to have occurred during the running of a race shall be received only when lodged with the clerk of scales, the stewards or their designees, by the owner, the authorized agent of the owner, the trainer or the jockey of a horse engaged in the same race.
   2. (2) An objection following the running of any race must be filed before the race is declared official, whether all or some riders are required to weigh in, or the use of a "fast official" procedure is permitted.
   3. (3) The stewards shall make all findings of fact as to all matters occurring during an incident to the running of a race; shall determine all objections and inquiries, and shall determine the extent of disqualification, if any, of horses in the race. Such findings of fact and determination shall be final for pari mutuel payout purposes.

3. C. Prior objections:

   1. (1) Objections to the participation of a horse entered in any race shall be made to the stewards in writing, signed by the objector, and filed no later than post time for the race in which the objection was filed. Any such objections shall set forth the specific reason or grounds for the objection in such detail so as to establish probable cause for the objection. The stewards upon their own motion may consider an objection until such time as the horse becomes a starter.

   2. (2) An objection to a horse which is entered in a race may be made on, but not limited to, the following grounds or reasons:

      1. (a) a misstatement, error or omission in the entry under which a horse is to run;
      2. (b) the horse, which is entered to run, is not the horse it is represented to be at the time of entry, or the age was erroneously given;
      3. (c) the horse is not qualified to enter under the conditions specified for the race, or the allowances are improperly claimed or not entitled the horse, or the weight to be carried is incorrect under the conditions of the race;
      4. (d) the horse is owned in whole or in part, or leased or trained by a person ineligible to participate in racing or otherwise ineligible to own a race horse as provided in these rules;
      5. (e) the horse was entered without regard to a lien filed previously with the racing secretary.
      6. (f) the horse is subject of a rule violation.
   3. (3) The stewards may scratch any horse from the race, which is the subject of an objection if they have reasonable cause to believe that the objection is valid.

4. D. Protests:

   1. (1) A protest against any horse, which has started in a race, shall be made to the stewards in writing, signed by the protestor, and must be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $1000 in the form of a cashier’s check or money order within 48 hours of the race. If the incident upon which the protest is based occurs within the last two days of the meeting, such protest may be filed with the commission within 48 hours exclusive of Saturdays, Sunday or official holidays. Any such protest shall set forth the specific reason or reasons for the protest in such detail as to establish probable cause for the protest.

   2. (2) A protest may be made on any of the following grounds:

      1. (a) any grounds for objection as set forth in this chapter;
      2. (b) the order of finish as officially determined by the stewards was incorrect due to oversight or errors in the numbers of the horses, which started the race;
      3. (c) a jockey, trainer, owner or lessor was ineligible to participate in racing as provided in this chapter;
      4. (d) the weight carried by a horse was improper, by reason of fraud or willful misconduct;
      5. (e) an unfair advantage was gained in violation of the rules;
      6. (f) the disqualification of a horse(s).
   3. (3) Notwithstanding any other provision in this article, the time limitation on the filing of protests shall not apply in any case in which fraud or willful misconduct is alleged provided that the stewards are satisfied that the allegations are bona fide and verifiable.
   4. (4) No person shall file any objection or protest knowing the same to be inaccurate, false, untruthful or frivolous.
   5. (5) The commission may fine any license holder an amount of up $2,500 after considering protest, if based on the evidence they determine that the protest is frivolous, unreasonable or unnecessary.
   6. (6) If a license holder who appealed fails to appear for any scheduled hearing without providing five days prior notice, the stewards or the commission may impose costs.
   7. (7) The stewards may order any purse, award or prize for any race withheld from distribution pending the determination of any protest. In the event any purse, award or prize has been distributed to an owner or for a horse which by reason of a protest or other reason is disqualified or determined to be not entitled to such purse, award or prize, the stewards or the commission may order such purse, award or prize returned and redistributed to the rightful owner or horse. Any person who fails to comply with an order to return any purse, award or prize erroneously distributed shall be subject to fines and suspension.

5. E. Race review committee:

   1. (1) If a timely objection concerning a race is filed in accordance with the rules, the agency director may refer the objection to the race review committee who shall consist of three members appointed by the commission. The agency director shall issue and send, or deliver, to the objecting party a notice of hearing stating the date, time and place at which the race review committee will hear the appeal. The notice of hearing shall also be sent, or delivered, to any trainer or owner the placement of whose horse may be affected by the outcome of the appeal. The race review committee shall review the official tape or tapes of the race. Affected parties shall be given the opportunity to state their positions to the committee.

   2. (2) The committee shall state its conclusions as to the merits of the objection and shall make a recommendation to the commission as to whether to uphold the stewards’ determination, or to revise the order of finish. The commission shall then make the final determination as to the order of finish. The race review committee and the commission may only address the issues raised in the appeal filed.

      History of 15.2.5 NMAC:

      Pre-NMAC History: Material in this part was derived from that previously filed with the commission of public records - state records center and archives as:

      NMSRC 67-1, Amendment No. 1, Rule Revisions Adopted by the New Mexico State Racing Commission April 21, 1967 Rules 352 & 380, filed 4/26/1967;

      NMSRC 69-1, New Mexico Laws and Rules and Regulations Governing Horse Racing, filed 6/9/1969;

      NMSRC 81-1, Rules Governing Horse Racing in New Mexico, filed 12/4/1981.

      History of Repealed Material:

      15 NMAC 2.5, Horse Racing - Horse Race - Rules of the Race (filed 9/29/1995) repealed 3/15/2001.

      Other History:

      That applicable portion of NMSRC 81-1, Rules Governing Horse Racing in New Mexico (filed 12/4/1981) was renumbered, reformatted and amended to 15 NMAC 2.5, Horse Racing - Horse Race - Rules of the Race, effective 10/14/1995.

      15 NMAC 2.5, Horse Racing - Horse Race - Rules of the Race (filed 9/29/1995) renumbered, reformatted and replaced by 15.2.5 NMAC, Horse Race - Rules of the Race, effective 3/15/2001.

[15.2.5.14 NMAC - Rp, 15 NMAC 2.5.14, 3/15/2001; A, 8/30/2001; A, 6/15/2004; A, 9/15/2009; A, 4/20/2021; A, 4/9/2024]