58 Pa. Code Ch. 183 — Rules of Racing

§ 183.282. Complaints by drivers, judges stand. Complaints by drivers of foul driving or other misconduct during the heat or dash shall be made at the termination of the heat or dash, unless the driver is prevented from doing so by accident or injury. At the conclusion of each he…

§ 183.283. Violations involving coupled entries; complaints; penalties. If any of the above violations are committed by a person driving a horse coupled as an entry in the betting, the judges may set both horses back, if, in their opinion, the violation may have affected the fini…

§ 183.284. Placing offending horse. In case of interference, collision or violation of this part, the offending horse may be placed behind the unoffending horses in the heat or dash, and in the event the collision or interference prevents a horse from finishing the heat or dash, …

§ 183.285. Fraudulent or unsatisfactory driving. (a) Every heat or dash in a race shall be contested by every horse in the race and every horse shall be driven to the finish. (b) If the judges believe that a horse is being driven, with a design to prevent his winning a heat or da…

§ 183.286. Failure to finish. If for any cause other than being interfered with, broken equipment or unavoidable accident, a horse fails to finish after starting a heat or dash, that horse shall be ruled out. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 183.289 (relating …

§ 183.287. Shouting. Continuous loud shouting is forbidden in a race. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 183.289 (relating to use of goading devices and the like).

§ 183.288. Whips. Drivers will be allowed whips not to exceed 4 feet, 8 inches, plus a snapper not longer than 8 inches. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 183.289 (relating to use of goading devices and the like).

§ 183.289. Use of goading devices and the like. The possession or use of a goading device, chain or mechanical devices or appliances, other than the ordinary whip or crop upon any horse in a race shall constitute a violation of these § § 183.281—183.302 (relating to racing and tr…

§ 183.29. Racing for less than advertised purse. No association shall conduct any race for less than said advertised minimum purse without the prior approval of the Commission. An association may be fined the difference between the advertised minimum and the lesser purse for whic…

§ 183.290. Hopples. No horse shall wear hopples in a race unless he starts in same in the first heat or dash and having so started he shall continue to wear them to the finish of the race. Any person found guilty of removing or altering a horse’s hopples during a race, or between…

§ 183.291. Head poles. No horse shall be permitted to wear a head pole protruding more than 10 inches beyond his nose. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 183.289 (relating to use of goading devices and the like).

§ 183.292. Breaking. (a) When a horse breaks from its gait in trotting or pacing, the driver shall at once, where clearance exists, take the horse to the outside and pull it to its gait. (b) The following shall be considered violations of section 12Q: (1) Failure to properly atte…

§ 183.293. Fraudulent breaking. If a driver causes or allows his horse to break for the purpose of fraudulently losing a heat or dash, he shall be liable to the penalties hereunder. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 183.289 (relating to use of goading devices a…

§ 183.294. Calling and noting breaks. To assist in determining the matters contained in § § 183.292 and 183.293 (relating to breaking; and fraudulent breaking) it shall be the duty of one of the judges to call out every break made and the clerk shall at once note the break and ch…

§ 183.295. Time between heats. The time between heats for any distance up to and including a mile shall be not less than 40 minutes. For a distance in excess of 1 mile the time shall be established by the presiding judge but shall not be less than 40 minutes. No heat or dash shal…

§ 183.296. Right of the course. Horses called for a race shall have the exclusive right of the course and all other horses shall vacate the track at once, unless permitted to remain by the judges. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 183.289 (relating to use of go…

§ 183.297. Accidents. In the case of accidents, only so much time shall be allowed before continuing as the judges may deem necessary and proper. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 183.289 (relating to use of goading devices and the like).

§ 183.298. Finishing. A driver must be mounted in his sulky at the finish of the race or the horse must be placed as not finished. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 183.289 (relating to use of goading devices and the like).

§ 183.299. Wheel discs and guards. It shall be the responsibility of the owner and trainer to provide every sulky used in a race with unicolored or colorless wheel discs on the inside and outside of each wheel of a type approved by the Commission. In his discretion, the Presiding…

§ 183.30. Stall applications. (a) Conditions contained in stall applications shall be submitted to the Executive Secretary for approval prior to issuance or publication. (b) The Executive Secretary shall be notified of the names of applicants approved for admission to the grounds…

§ 183.300. Registration of denerved horses. All denerved horses entered in any claiming race must be registered with the Commission veterinarian on forms provided by the Commission for that purpose. No unregistered denerved horse shall be entered in a claiming race, nor shall a h…

§ 183.301. Mares in foal. No mares known to be in foal shall be entered in claiming races. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 183.289 (relating to goading devices and the like).

§ 183.302. Spayed mares. The fact that a mare has been spayed must be noted on the registration certificate, and the eligibility certificate. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to report the fact that the mare has been spayed to the United States Trotting Association and…

§ 183.31. Awards. Except as provided in this chapter, no association shall advertise to pay or pay any awards other than to the owners of money winning horses. Awards may be made to drivers of horses breaking or equaling track or world records, or to leading drivers providing suc…

PLACING, CONDITIONS AND PURSES § 183.311. Heat racing. All heat racing shall be raced under Rule 19 of the United States Trotting Association Rules and Regulations.

§ 183.312. Computation and payment of purses. (a) Any racing association which has an agreement with the horsemen to pay purses of an established percentage of the Association’s share of the revenue obtained from the money wagered, shall each week post a statement of the previous…

§ 183.313. Delivering of winnings to owners. Winnings from horses shall not be delivered to any owner until the owner has first been duly licensed by this Commission for the current season.

§ 183.314. Deductions. All purses contested for shall be distributed according to the conditions of the race. No deduction, voluntary or involuntary, may be made from any purse or stake or futurity other than for payments to be made to owners of money winning horses.

§ 183.315. Special awards. Except for awards to be made to drivers of horses breaking or equalling track or world records, or to leading drivers at a race meeting, no association shall advertise to pay or pay any awards other than to the owners of money winning horses.

§ 183.32. Paddock. (a) Every association shall provide paddock or receiving barn containing a minimum of 72 stalls and a minimum of six retention stalls. (b) The paddock or receiving barn must be completely enclosed with a man-tight fence and all openings through said fence shall…

§ 183.33. Photo finish; head numbers; saddle pads; starting gate. At all associations, a photo finish, head numbers, saddle pads and a starting gate must be used. Whenever the judges use a photograph to determine the order of finish, it shall be posted for public inspection. Phot…

DECORUM § 183.331. Improper language. (a) No owner, trainer, driver, groom or any other person shall use improper language to any race official, or be guilty of any improper conduct toward such officials or persons serving under their order when such improper language or conduct …

§ 183.332. Assault and battery. No person shall commit an assault and battery on any driver, trainer, groom, racing official or Commission employe, on the grounds of a racing association, or on a racing official or Commission employe who is in the performance of his official duti…

§ 183.333. Threats to impede race. No owner, trainer, driver or groom shall threaten to commit or shall commit or shall conspire with others to commit any act intended to impede, embarrass, or prevent the conduct or continuation of any race meeting. Cross References This section …

§ 183.334. Award as condition for starting. No owner, agent or driver who has declared a horse shall thereafter demand of the association a bonus of money or other special award or consideration as a condition for starting the horse. Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. …

§ 183.335. Wagers forbidden. (a) No owner, trainer, driver, agent, employe or groom shall place a wager on any other horse in any race in which he shall start a horse owned, trained, or driven by him, or which he in any way represents or handles as a starter. Nor shall he cause s…

§ 183.336. Fraudulent or injurious conduct forbidden. Any misconduct on the part of a licensee, patron or participant, fraudulent in its nature or injurious to the sport, although not specified in this subpart, is forbidden. Any person or persons who, individually or in concert w…

§ 183.337. Conspiracy to commit violations. (a) If two or more persons shall combine and confederate together in any manner, regardless of where the said persons may be located, for the purpose of violating any of the provisions of this subpart and shall commit some act in furthe…

§ 183.338. False testimony. When an oath is administered by a judge, representative of this Commission, notary public, or any other person legally authorized to administer oaths and the party knowingly swears false or withholds information pertinent to an investigation conducted …

§ 183.339. Misconduct and association with undersirables, bribery. (a) The Commission may impose the penalties as prescribed by law if it finds that any licensee or other person subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission: (1) Is associating, consorting or negotiating with book…

§ 183.34. Interference with race officials. Although associations are obligated to supervise their meetings, their interference with the proper performance of duties of any official is prohibited.

§ 183.340. Undesirable persons. Persons employed as security personnel shall possess the powers and duties of a peace officer with respect to the enforcement of the criminal laws of the Commonwealth within the race meeting grounds or enclosure. Such designated persons are also au…

§ 183.341. Prohibition of wagering by certain officials and employes. No Commissioner, secretary, deputy, officer, representative, employe or counsel of the Commission or any race official shall wager upon the outcome of any race conducted by an association. Cross References This…

§ 183.342. Conduct. All licensees and employes of the Commission are required to conduct themselves in a forthright, gentlemanly manner at all times while on or near the premises of an association during the operation of a licensed harness race meeting. Cross References This sect…

§ 183.343. Financial responsibility. A licensee may not accumulate unpaid obligations or default in obligations, or issue drafts or checks that are dishonored or payment refused, or otherwise display financial irresponsibility reflecting on the track or the sport. Cross Reference…

§ 183.344. Searches within track premises. In order to assist in detection of illegal pari-mutuel betting by racing personnel, effectively prevent the use of improper racing devices, restrict the possession of dangerous weapons on racing premises, control the expanded traffic in …

§ 183.345. Prohibition. (a) On the day a horse is programmed to race, no veterinarian or other person, singly or in concert with another person, unless otherwise provided by the Commission, shall prescribe for or administer to the programmed horse, a drug, medicant, stimulant, de…

§ 183.35. Drivers’ stand. Each association shall provide a stand located conveniently to the gate through which the horses enter the race track from the paddock or receiving barn, for the use of drivers scheduled to race. The stand shall permit a clear and adequate view of the ra…

MEDICATION, PRERACE AND POST-RACE TESTING, PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS § 183.351. Prerace testing program. A prerace testing program may be established at a track designated by the Commission. The Commission shall operate the field laboratory located at the track and shall approve t…

§ 183.352. Post-race saliva, urine and blood tests. (a) The winning horse in every heat or race or performance against time shall be subjected to a saliva, urine or blood test for the purpose of determining thereby the presence of a drug, stimulant, sedative, depressant or medici…