PROTESTS

1. (a) Protests to the participation of a horse entered in any race shall be made to the Judges in writing, signed by the objector, and filed not later than 60 minutes prior to post time for the first race on the day in which the questioned horse is entered. A protest not timely received shall be denied on those grounds. A protest shall set forth the specific reasons for the protest in detail as to establish probable cause for the protest and the information provided by the protestor shall be verified and signed in affidavit form. The Judges may upon their own motion consider an objection until the time as the horse becomes a Starter.

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

   1. (1) A misstatement, error or omission in the entry under which a horse is to run;
   2. (2) 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. (3) The horse is not qualified to enter under the conditions specified for the race, or the allowances are improperly claimed either by age, sex, earnings or wins or incorrect under the conditions of the race;
   4. (4) 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; or the horse was entered without regard to a lien filed previously with the racing secretary.
3. (c) The Judges may scratch from the race any horse which is the subject of a protest if the Judges have reasonable cause to believe that the objection is valid.
4. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, 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 Judges are satisfied that the allegations are bona fide and have been duly verified by affidavit.
5. (e) The Judges 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 the purse, award or prize, the Judges or the Commission may order the 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.