RACING RULES/CONDUCT OF THE RACE

A driver shall not commit any of the following acts which are considered violations of the driving rules:

1. (1) Change course or position, swerve in or out, or bear in or out during any part of the race in a manner as to compel another horse to shorten its stride or cause another driver to change course, take the horse back or otherwise pull the horse out its stride.
2. (2) Jostle, strike, hook wheels or interfere with another horse or driver.
3. (3) Cross sharply in front of a horse or cross over in front of a field of horses in a reckless manner endangering other drivers.
4. (4) Swerve in and out or pull up quickly.
5. (5) Crowd a horse or driver by ‘‘putting a wheel under him.’’
6. (6) Carry a horse out.
7. (7) Sit down in front of a horse or take up abruptly in front of other horses so as to cause confusion or interference among trailing horses.
8. (8) Let a horse pass inside needlessly or otherwise help another horse to improve the horse’s position in the race.
9. (9) Commit any act which shall impede the progress of another horse or cause the horse to break.
10. (10) Change course after selecting a position in the home stretch or swerve in and out or bear in and out in a manner as to interfere with another horse or cause the horse to change course or take back.
11. (11) To drive in a careless or reckless manner or fail to maintain reasonable control of the horse at all times during the race.
12. (12) Kick the horse which shall be defined as a blow or thrust with the foot against any part of the horse’s body or to impel by striking with the foot. Removal of a foot from the stirrups or any foot supports as provided in § 205.408 (relating to foot out of stirrup) shall not alone constitute the offense of kicking.
13. (13) Cross the inside limits of the course.
14. (14) Lay off a normal pace and leave a hole when it is well within the horse’s capacity to keep the hole closed.
15. (15) Fail to set, maintain or properly contest a pace comparable to the class in which the driver is racing considering the horse’s ability, track conditions, weather and circumstances confronted in the race.

Cross References

This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 205.403 (relating to driving violation committed by driver of coupled entry); and 7 Pa. Code § 205.408 (relating to foot out of stirrup).