58 Pa. Code Ch. 163 — Rules of Racing

§ 163.176. Helmets. It is mandatory that jockeys wear a protective helmet which has been approved by the Commission when riding in races or when exercising horses.

§ 163.177. Identification. A jockey shall wear a number on his right arm and it and the saddle cloth number shall correspond to the number of the horse in the official program.

§ 163.178. Reporting before race. A jockey who is engaged to ride in a race shall report to the scale room on the day of the race at the time required by the officials. A jockey shall then report his engagements and overweight, if any, to the clerk of the scales, and thereafter, …

§ 163.179. Examination of jockeys by licensed physicians. Before the commencement of a racing season, a jockey shall be examined by a licensed physician, designated by the board of stewards in order to establish his physical condition and freedom from disabling defects or contagi…

§ 163.180. Betting limitations. A jockey may not make a bet on a race nor accept the promise or the token of a bet, with respect to the race in which he is riding, except through or from the owner or trainer of the horse he rides, and then only on that horse.

§ 163.181. Jockey’s fees. (a) Jockey’s riding fees are as follows: Purse WinSecondThirdLosing Mount $400 and Under$27.00$19.00$17.00$16.00 $50030.0020.0017.0016.00 $60036.0022.0017.0016.00 $700-90010% ofWin Purse25.0022.0020.00 $1,000- 1,40010% ofWin Purse30.0025.0022.00 $1,500- …

§ 163.182. Designated race rule. (a) A jockey who is serving a suspension of 10 days or less may be permitted to ride in a designated race during the suspension if the following apply: (1) The race has been specified as a designated race by the racing secretary of the association…

§ 163.183. Forfeiture. A forfeiture shall be paid by the jockey himself and any other person paying it shall be subject to punishment.

§ 163.184. Agents. A jockey may have only one agent. Engagements to ride, other than those for his contract employer, shall be made by the jockey’s agent.

§ 163.185. Valet-attendants. A jockey may not have a valet-attendant other than those provided by the association.

§ 163.186. Retaining jockeys. An employe retaining the same jockey has precedence according to the priority of the retainer as specified in the contracts.

§ 163.187. Jockey apprentices. (a) A jockey apprentice is bound by this chapter, except if this chapter is in conflict with this specific regulation for apprentices. (b) Apprentice contracts and certificates entered into in this Commonwealth shall be made on forms supplied by the…

§ 163.188. Contracts. The jockey or apprentice shall be bound by written contract approved by and filed with the Commission to an owner or trainer for a term of not less than 3 nor more than 5 years, subject to a written extension, if made for less than 5 years. After at least 1 …

§ 163.189. Apprentice jockeys. (a) A person 16 years of age or older who has never been licensed as a jockey in any country or if under age, with the written consent of that person’s parents or guardian, may apply to become an apprentice jockey. An application for a license as ap…

§ 163.190. Weight allowances in overnight races. (a) A certified apprentice jockey may claim the following weight allowances in all overnight races except stakes and handicaps: (1) A 10 pound allowance beginning with the first mount and continuing until the apprentice has ridden …

§ 163.191. Applications for extensions. (a) The Commission has the authority to grant an allowance extension of an apprentice jockey if, in the discretion of the Commission, an apprentice jockey is unable to continue riding due to one of the following and has provided the Commiss…

§ 163.192. Loss of apprentice allowance. A licensed apprentice who loses his apprentice allowance shall obtain a jockey license before being permitted to ride again.

§ 163.193. Use of whips. Whips may not be used on 2-year-olds prior to April 1st.

§ 163.194. Use of spurs. The use of spurs by a jockey is prohibited.

§ 163.195. Apprentice jockey certificate. (a) An apprentice jockey may be granted an apprentice jockey certificate issued by the stewards, in lieu of an apprentice jockey contract, under this chapter covering apprentice jockeys. A copy of his certificate shall be filed with the C…

§ 163.2. Improper language. A person may not use improper, profane or indecent language to a racing official.

ENGAGEMENTS OF THE RIDERS AND EMPLOYES § 163.211. Engagements of the riders and employes. (a) A contract, or a copy thereof, between jockeys and their employers shall be filed with the Commission. (b) A contract employer may not have an interest in the earnings of a jockey. (c) A…

FROM PADDOCK TO FINISH § 163.221. Parading. The stewards may permit a horse to be excused from parading and be led to the post. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 163.226 (relating to distance of parading).

§ 163.222. Exercising. (a) Permission shall be obtained from a steward to exercise a horse between races unless the horse is being warmed up, on the way to and just prior to entering the paddock for the next race to be run. (b) If a horse is being warmed up before entering the pa…

§ 163.223. Saddlecloth numbers. In a race each horse shall carry a conspicuous saddlecloth number corresponding to his number on the official program. In the case of an entry, each horse making up the entry shall carry the same number with distinguishing letter. For example, 1, -…

§ 163.224. Horses to be in paddock before post time. Horses shall be in the paddock at least 15 minutes before post time, or at the discretion of the stewards. Source The provisions of this § 163.224 amended July 25, 1980, effective July 26, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3108. Immediately prece…

§ 163.225. Saddling. A horse shall be saddled in the paddock.

§ 163.226. Distance of parading. A horse shall parade a distance that is reasonable and proper in the opinion of the stewards, unless excused by the stewards as provided in § 163.221 (relating to parading). If a horse is excused from parading and is led to the post, he shall pass…

§ 163.227. Weights from paddock to post. A horse shall carry his respective weights from paddock to post.

§ 163.228. Order of parading. A parading horse shall pass the stewards’ stand in the numerical order of their exhibited number. Only a horse being led by the parade leader, or excused from parading, may parade out of numerical order.

§ 163.229. Horses in the track. (a) After the horses enter the track, the jockey may not dismount and the horse is not entitled to the care of an attendant without consent of the stewards or the starter. (b) After entering the track, not more than 12 minutes shall be consumed in …

§ 163.230. Accidents from paddock to post. (a) In case of accident to a jockey, his mount or equipment, the stewards or the starter may permit the jockey to dismount and the horse to be cared for during the delay, and may permit all jockeys to dismount and all horses to be attend…

§ 163.231. Exit and return to course during parade. If a horse leaves the course while moving from paddock to post, he shall return to the course at the nearest practical point to that at which he left the course, and shall complete his parade to the post from the point at which …

§ 163.232. Delay of arrival. A person may not willfully delay the arrival of a horse at the post.

§ 163.233. Post time. Post time of each race shall be set by the manager of the pari-mutuel department, and may not be changed after being posted on the odds board without permission of the stewards.

§ 163.234. Crossing and weaving. During the running of a race, when clear, a horse may be taken to another part of the course but a horse may not cross or weave in front of other horses in such a way that would impede them or constitute or cause interference or intimidation.

§ 163.235. Jostling. A horse or jockey may not willfully jostle another horse.

§ 163.236. Striking and touching during race. During a race, a jockey may not willfully strike or touch another jockey or the horse or equipment of another jockey for the purpose of interfering with that horse or jockey.

§ 163.237. Changing stride. A jockey may not unnecessarily cause his horse to shorten stride with a view to complaint. A jockey may not take his horse back without reasonable cause. Source The provisions of this § 163.237 amended December 23, 1977, effective December 24, 1977, 7 …

§ 163.238. Influencing outcome of race. (a) A horse shall be ridden out in every race. A jockey may not intentionally ride wide on the turns or otherwise cause his mount to lose ground when there is no reasonable cause for the loss or otherwise ride in a manner inconsistent with …

§ 163.239. Foul riding complaints. (a) The stewards shall take cognizance of foul riding and may entertain reports from other racing officials of the meeting whether or not a formal complaint is made, but a complaint may not be considered which comes from a person other than the …

§ 163.240. Entry upon race course. A person may not enter or remain on a race course upon which a race is to be run from the time the horses enter the race course from the paddock until the race has been completed. This section does not apply to racing officials, licensees on dut…

CLAIMING RACES § 163.251. General provisions. (a) In claiming races, horses may be claimed in the following manner by the following licensees: (1) A new owner—that is, an individual, partnership, corporation or other authorized racing interests—who has not held an owner’s license…

§ 163.252. Transfer authorization. When a horse is claimed, sold or transferred, the transfer authorization shall be filled out in triplicate and filed with the Commission, stewards and racing secretary. This form will be furnished by the Commission. Cross References This section…

§ 163.253. Number of claims. When a stable consists of horses owned by more than one person, trained by the same trainer, not more than one claim may be entered on behalf of the stable in any one race. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 163.251 (relating to gene…

§ 163.254. Starting of claimed horses. For a period of 30 days after the claim, a claimed horse may not start in a race in which the determining eligibility price is less than 25% more than the price at which it was claimed. The day claimed does not count, but the following calen…

§ 163.255. Sale and transfer of claimed horses. If a horse is claimed, it may not be sold or transferred to anyone wholly or in part, except in a claiming race, for a period of 30 days from date of claim, nor may it, unless reclaimed, remain in the same stable or under the contro…

§ 163.256. Applicability of other rules. If a horse is claimed at a recognized meeting under provisions which are at variance with this chapter, title to the horse shall be recognized in this Commonwealth to follow the rules of the meeting under which the claim was made, however,…

§ 163.257. Posting of claiming price. The claiming price of each horse in a claiming race shall be printed on the program, and claims for the horse shall be the amount so designated. If more than one claim is filed for the same horse, the disposition of the horse shall be determi…

§ 163.258. Form of claims. (a) A claim shall be made in writing on forms and in envelopes furnished by the association and approved by the Commission. Both forms and envelopes shall be filled out completely, and shall be accurate, otherwise the claim is void. (b) Money may not ac…