RULES AND REGULATIONSADOPTED BY THENATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE AMERICAN TROTTING TURF.
Rule 1.—Mandate.—All trotting and pacing engagements and performances over the several courses which are, or shall be represented by membership in the “National Association for the Promotion of the Interests of the American Trotting Turf,” and each and every person who shall in any way be concerned or employed therein, as well as all associations and proprietors themselves who are or shall become members of said National Association, shall be governed by the following rules from and after February 4th, 1874. [See also Articles 12 and 13 of By-Laws.]
Rule 2.—Entries.—All entries for premiums must be made under cover, enclosing the entrance money for purses and forfeits in sweepstakes, and sealed and addressed to or deposited with the Secretary, or other person authorized to receive the same, at such time and place as shall have been prescribed.
Notices by telegraph of intention to enter shall be received up to the hour advertised for closing, and all such entries shall be eligible, provided the entrance fee specified shall be paid in due course, by mail or otherwise. [See also Art. 17 of By-Laws.]
It shall be the duty of the Secretary, or other person authorized, to prepare the list of entries for publication, comprising all information necessary for the enlightenment of the general public and parties to the race; and all entries as aforesaid shall be opened and announced at a public meeting, of which reasonable notice by advertisement or otherwise shall be given to the parties in interest.
Rule 3.—Entrance Fee.—The entrance fee shall be 10 per cent. of the purse, unless otherwise specified; and any person failing to pay his entrance dues may, together with his horse or horses, be suspended until they are paid in full, which shall be with an addition of 10 per cent. penalty and interest at 7 per cent. per annum until paid—the penalty to go to the National Association.Provided, that no such suspension imposed after April 1, 1874, shall be lawful unless imposed within sixty days from the close of the meeting;and further provided, that any entry which shall be accepted upon conditions differing from those applied by the terms of the race to other entries in the same class shall be regarded a “conditional entry,” and as such shall be void. And any associate member who shall accept any such conditional entry, shall, upon satisfactory evidence produced to the Board of Appeals, beheld to forfeit to the National Association 20 per cent. of the amount of the purse in which such conditional entry has been accepted.
Rule 4.—How Many to Enter.—In all purses three or more entries are required, and two to start, unless otherwise specified.
Rule 5.—Horses to be Eligible when Entries Close.—A horse shall not be eligible to start in any race that has beaten the time advertised prior to the closing of the entries for the race in which he is entered, unless otherwise specified in the published conditions.
Horses shall not be eligible if the time specified has been beaten by them at a greater distance; that is, a horse having made two miles in five minutes is eligible for a 2:30 race, but not eligible for a race limited to horses of a slower class than that.
Rule 6.—Description and Name of each Horse Required.—An accurate and satisfactory description of each entry will be required, and shall be in the following form, to wit:
Color.—The color and marks shall be accurately given.
Sex.—It shall be distinctly stated whether the entry be a stallion, mare, or gelding, and the names of the sire and dam shall be given in all cases (and when unknown shall be so stated in the entry), under penalty of $25 fine for each omission. And the pedigree so given shall be published by the associate member with the advertisement of entries.
Name of Horse.—Every horse shall be named, and the name correctly and plainly written in the entry; and after trotting in a public race such name shall not be changed, except by permission of the Board of Appeals, and upon payment of a recording fee of $10, the fee to go to the National Association; for each violation of this requirement a fine of $100 shall be imposed, together with suspension or expulsion; and if the horse has ever trotted in a public race the last name under which he or she trotted shall be given with the entry; and if the name has been changed within two years, each name he or she has borne during that time must be given; and if any horse without a name has ever trotted in a public race, mention must be made in the entry of a sufficient number of his or her most recent performances, to enable interested parties to identify the animal;provided, that it shall not be necessary to furnish any one association or proprietor with the same record the second time.
In entries and nominations hereafter made, the words “no name” shall not be received as a name; neither shall such descriptive words as “bay horse,” “gray mare,” &c., be allowed as names, under penalty of a fine not to exceed the entrance fee, to be imposed on the member who violates this restriction.
A horse having once been named, shall not again start in a race on any course in the United States or Canada without a name, nor under a different name, unless the foregoing requirements have been complied with.
Double Teams.—In all double-team races the entry must contain the name and description of each horse, in the manner provided for entry of single horses.
Rule 7.—Name and Address.—The residence and post-office address, in full, of the person or persons in whose name an entry is made, and if he or they be not the owner, then that of the owner or owners also must accompany each nomination.
Rule 8.—Entries that Cannot Start.—As many horses may be entered by one party, or as many horses trained in the same stable as may be desired, but only one that has been owned or controlled in whole or in part by the same person or persons, or trained in the same stable within ten days preceding the race, can start in any race of heats.
Rule 9.—No purse for a “Walk Over.”—No purse will be awarded for a “walk over,” but in cases where only one of the horses entered for any premium shall appear on the course, he shall be entitled to his own entrance money and to one-half of the entrance money received from all other horses entered for said premium.
Rule 10.—In Case of Death, Engagements Void.—All engagements, including obligations for entrance fees, shall be void upon the decease of either party or horse, so far as they shall affect the deceased party or horse; but forfeits, also matches made play or pay, shall not be affected by the death of a horse.
Rule 11.—Match Races.—In all match races these rules shall govern, unless the contrary be expressly stipulated and assented to by the club, association, or proprietor of the course over which the race is to come off.
Rule 12.—When Matches Become Play or Pay.—In all matches made to come off over any of the associate courses, the parties shall place the amount of the match in the hands of the stakeholder one day before the event (omitting Sunday) is to come off, at such time and place as the club, association, or proprietor, upon application may determine, and the race shall then become play or pay.
Rule 13.—Purse or Stakes Wrongfully Obtained.—A person obtaining a purse or stake through fraud or error shall return it to the Treasurer if demanded within one year, or be punished as follows: He, together with the parties implicated in the wrong, and the horse or horses, shall be expelled until such demand is complied with, and such stake or purse shall be awarded to the party justly entitled to the same.
Rule 14.—Fraudulent Entries, or Meddling with Horses.—Any person found guilty of dosing or tampering with any horse, or of making a fraudulent entry of any horse, or of disguising a horse with intent to conceal his identity, or being in any way concerned in such a transaction, shall be expelled.
Any horse that shall have been painted or disguised, to represent another or a different horse, or shall have been entered in a purse in which he does not belong, shall forfeit the entrance money and be expelled.
Rule 15.—Reward.—A reward of $50 will be paid to the person who shall first give information leading to the detection and conviction of any fraudulent entry and the parties thereto, to be paid out of the funds of the National Association for the Promotion of the Interests of the American Trotting Turf, by the Treasurer, upon the decision and order of the Board of Appeals;provided, that this shall not be construed to extend to courses outside of this Association.
Rule 16.—Protests.—Protests maybe made verbally before or during a race, and shall be reduced to writing, and shall contain at least one specific charge, and, when required, a statement of the nature of the evidence upon which they are based, and they shall be filed with the Judges, Association, or proprietor before the close of the meeting.
The Judges shall in every case of protest demand that the rider or driver, and the owner or owners, if present, shall immediately testify under oath, in the manner hereinafter provided; and in case of their refusal to do so, the horse shall not be allowed thereupon to start or continue in that race, but shall be considered and declared ruled out, with forfeit of entrance money.
But if the parties do comply, and take the oath as herein required, unless the Judges find conclusive evidence to warrant excluding the horse, they shall allow him to start or continue in the race under protest, and the premium, if any is won by that horse, shall be retained a sufficient length of time (say three weeks) to allow the parties interested a chance to sustain the allegations of the protest, or to furnish information which shall warrant an investigation of the matter by the associate member, or the Board of Appeals, and all outside bets on such horse shall be held in abeyance pending the decision of such protest;provided, that where no action as aforesaid has been taken to sustain a protest, during three weeks, the associate member shall proceed as if such protest had not been made.
In any heat which such protested horse shall win, the Judges shall waive the application of a distance as to all other horses, except for “fouls” defined in Rule 48.
When a protest is presented before or during a race, and the parties refuse to make the prescribed oath, if the Judges believe the refusal is designed to favor a fraud, they may require the horse under protest to start or continue in the race.
Any person found guilty of protesting a horse falsely and without cause, or merely with intent to embarrass a race, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100, or by suspension not to exceed one year, or by expulsion.
When a protest has been duly made, or any information lodged with the Judges in support of a protest, alleging an improper entry or any act prohibited or punishable under these rules, the same shall not be withdrawn or surrendered before the expiration of three weeks, without the approbation of the association or proprietor of the course upon which such protest or information was produced; and if any association or proprietor shall permit such a withdrawal of protest or information, with a corrupt motive to favor any party who shall be affected by the same, the association or proprietor so permitting, if convicted thereof by the Board of Appeals, shall be expelled from all connection with the National Association.
Associations or proprietors shall be warranted in retaining the premium of any horse, during the time herein mentioned, without any formal protest, if before it is paid they shall receive information in their judgment tending to establish fraud.
The oath required in answer to protest shall be in the following form, to wit:
I ________ of ________ in the County of ________ State of ________ on oath depose and say that I am the ________ of the ________ called ________ the same entered in a purse for horses that have never trotted better than ________ minutes and ________ seconds, to be trotted this day on this course, and the same that has been protested, and to which protest this affidavit is in answer, hereby declare and affirm that to the best of my knowledge and belief said before-mentioned horse is eligible to start or compete in the race aforesaid; and that I fully believe all the provisions and conditions required in the rules and regulations for the government or trials of speed over this course were fully and honestly complied with in making the entry aforesaid.
Given under my hand, at ________ this ________ day of ________ A. D. 187__.
________________
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this ________ day of ________ A. D. 187__.
________________Justice of the Peace.
[Note.—In the absence of a Justice of the Peace, if this oath be administered by an officer of the association, or one of the Judges of the race, it will be considered sufficient for the purposes of the National Association.]
Rule 17.—When Horses Shall not be Drawn.—No horse shall be drawn except by permission of the Judges of the race, under penalty of being expelled, unless at or before seven o’clockP. M.of the day preceding the race (omitting Sunday), the proper party shall have lodged with the President, Secretary, or proprietor of the course, a written notice of his intention not to start, after which notice the horse so drawn shall be ineligible to start in the race.
Parties having two or more entries in one race shall elect which they will not start, and notify their decision at the same time, in the same manner, and under the same penalty as provided above.
Rule 18.—Power of Postponement.—In case of unfavorable weather, or other unavoidable cause, each association or proprietor shall have power to postpone to the next fair day and good track (omitting Sunday), all purses or sweepstakes, or any race to which they have contributed money, upon giving notice thereof; and they may exercise this power before or after the race has commenced. [See also Rule 19.]
Rule 19.—No Trotting After Dark.—No heat shall be trotted when it is so dark that the horses cannot be plainly seen by the Judges from the stand, but all such races shall be continued by the Judges to the next fair day (omitting Sunday), at such hour as they shall designate.
In all matches and stakes, the above rule shall govern, unless otherwise especially agreed between the parties and the association or proprietors.
Rule 20.—Weights and Weighing.—Every horse starting for purse, sweepstake, or match, in any trotting or pacing race, shall carry, if to wagon or sulky, 150 lbs., exclusive of harness: and if under the saddle, 145 lbs., the saddle and whip only to be weighed with the rider.
Riders and drivers shall weigh in the presence of one or more of the Judges previous to starting for any race, and after each heat shall come to the starting stand, and not dismount or leave their vehicles without permission of the Judges, and those who are deficient in bodily weight shall be re-weighed after each heat. Any rider or driver not bringing in his required weight shall be distanced, unless such decision shall be deemed to favor a fraud. But a rider or driver thrown or taken by force from his horse or vehicle, after having passed the winning-post, shall not be considered as having dismounted without permission of the Judges, and if disabled may be carried to the Judges’ stand to be weighed, and the Judges may take the circumstances into consideration and decide accordingly. And the riders or drivers who shall carry during the heat and bring home with them the weights which have been approved or announced correct and proper by the Judges, shall be subject to no penalty for light weight in that heat; provided the Judges are satisfied the mistake or fault was their own, and that there has been no deception on the part of the rider or driver who shall be deficient in weight; but all parties shall thereafter carry the required weight.
Rule 21.—Handicaps and Miscellaneous Weights.—In matches or handicaps, where extra or lesser weights are to be carried, the Judges shall carefully examine and ascertain before starting, whether the riders, drivers or vehicles are of such weights as have been agreed upon or required by the match or handicap, and thereafter the riders and drivers shall be subject to the same penalties and conditions as if they were to carry the weights prescribed by the rules.
Rule 22.—When Riders and Drivers are Overweight.—If the bodily weight of any rider or driver shall be found to exceed that which is prescribed in the rules, or that which is required by the conditions of the race, and the overweight shall exceed twenty pounds, it shall be announced from the stand before the heat; and the judges shall have power, if in their belief such extra weight was imposed on the horse for an improper or fraudulent purpose, to substitute another rider or driver of suitable weight; and if they believe the horse has been prejudiced in the race by such overweight, he shall not be allowed to start again or continue in the race, and all outside bets on such horse shall be declared off. [See also Rule 28.]
A horse prevented by this rule from continuing in the race shall not be distanced, butruled out.
Rule 23.—Length of Whips.—Riders and drivers will be allowed whips not to exceed the following lengths: For saddle horses, 2 ft. 10 in,; sulkies, 4 ft. 8 in.; wagons, 5 ft. 10 in.; double teams, 8 ft. 6 in.; tandem teams and four-in-hand, unlimited: snappers, not longer than three inches, will be allowed in addition to the foregoing measurement.
Rule 24.—Judges’ Stand.—None but the Judges of the race in progress, and their assistants, shall be allowed in the Judges’ stand during the pendency of a heat, except members of the Board of Appeals.
Rule 25.—Selection of Judges.—[See also Art. 13 of By-Laws.] In every exhibition or race, over any course represented in the National Association, each course for itself, through the proprietor or association controlling the same, shall choose or authorize the selection of three (3) competent Judges, for the day or race, who shall understand the rules of the said National Association, and shall rigidly enforce the same; and all their decisions shall be subject to and in conformity with said rules.
Any person having any interest in, or any bet dependent upon the result of a race, or having any interest in either of the horses engaged therein, shall thereby be disqualified and restricted from acting as a Judge in that race. And if any person who is thus disqualified shall intentionally and deceptively violate this restriction, he shall, upon conviction thereof by the Board of Appeals, be adjudged guilty of a dishonorable act, for which he shall be expelled from every course represented in said National Association.
Rule 26.—Authority of Judges.—The Judges of the day or race shall have authority, while presiding, to appoint distance and patrol judges and timers; to inflict fines and penalties, as prescribed by these rules; to determine all questions of fact relating to the race over which they preside; to decide respecting any matters of difference between parties to the race, or any contingent matter which shall arise, such as are not otherwise provided for in these rules; but all their decisions shall be in strict conformity with the rules, or with the principles thereof. They shall have control over the horses about to start, and the riders or drivers and assistants of the horses, and, in the absence of other provision in these rules, they shall have authority to punish by a fine not exceeding $100, or by suspension or expulsion, any such person who shall fail to obey their orders or the rules.
Rule 27.—Distance and Patrol Judges.—In all races of heats there shall be a Distance Judge appointed by the Judges of the race or by those in authority, who shall remain in the distance stand during the heats, and immediately after each heat shall repair to the Judges’ stand and report to the Judges the horse or horses that are distanced, and all foul or improper conduct, if any has occurred under his observation.
Patrol Judges may be similarly appointed, and it shall be their duty to repair in like manner to the Judges’ stand, and report all foul or improper conduct, if any has occurred under their observation.
Rule 28.—Powers and Duties of Judges.—The Judges shall be in the stand fifteen minutes before the time for starting the race; they shall weigh the riders or drivers, and determine the positions of the horses, and inform each rider or driver of his place, before starting; they may require the riders and drivers to be properly dressed; they shall be prepared to take the time of each heat in the race, and they may appoint some suitable person or persons to assist them in that respect, and the time so taken shall be recorded and announced in conformity with these rules. [See also Rules 39 and 40, and Art. 13 of By-Laws.]
The Judges shall ring the bell, or give other notice, ten minutes previous to the time announced for the race to come off, which shall be notice to all parties to prepare for the race at the appointed time, when all the horses must appear at the stand,ready for the race, and any rider or driver failing to obey this summons may be punished by a fine not exceeding $100, or his horse may be ruled out by the Judges and considered drawn; but in all stakes and matches a failure to appear promptly at the appointed time shall render the delinquent party liable to forfeit.
The result of a heat shall not be announced until the Judges are satisfied as to the weights of the riders or drivers, and sufficient time has elapsed to receive the reports of the Distance and Patrol Judges.
The Judges shall not notice or consider complaints of foul from any person or persons except the Distance and Patrol Judges appointed by themselves or by those in authority, and from owners, riders, or drivers in the race.
If the Judges believe that a horse is being or has been “pulled,” or has been ridden or driven in other respects improperly, with a design to prevent his winning a heat which he was evidently able to win, and that such act was done on the part of the rider or driver for the purpose of throwing the race, or to perpetrate or aid a fraud, they may declare that heat void, and they shall have power to substitute a competent and reliable rider or driver for the remainder of the race, who shall be paid a reasonable compensation for his services, but not to exceed $50; and any professional rider or driver who, without good and sufficient reason, refuses to be so substituted, may be fined, suspended, or expelled, by order of the Judges and upon approval of the Board of Appeals; and if the result and circumstances of the race shall confirm their belief, the rider or driver so removed shall be expelled by the Judges. And at the close of the race, if they are warranted under the foregoing circumstances in deciding that such improper conduct has changed the result of the race to the prejudice of innocent parties, they shall declare all outside bets “off,” and if the owner or person or persons controlling the offending horse shall be a party or parties to such fraud, he or they, together with the horse, shall be punished by expulsion. [See also Rules 22 and 48.]
Rule 29.—Starting and Keeping Positions.—No rider or driver shall cause unnecessary delay after the horses are called up, either by neglecting to prepare for the race in time, or by failing to come for the word, or otherwise; and in scoring, if the word is not given, all the horses in the race shall immediately turn, at the tap of the bell or other signal given, and jog back for a fresh start. But there shall be no recall after the starting word or signal has been given.Provided, however, that if the Judges shall through any error give signal of recall,after having given the word,Distanceshall be waived in that heat, except for foul riding or driving.
When the Judges are prevented from giving a fair start by a horse or horses persistently scoring ahead of others, or being refractory, or from any other fault of either horse, rider, or driver, it shall be their duty, after three scorings, to select one of the contending horses, of average speed compared with the others, and no driver shall come up in advance of said horse before crossing the score.
No driver shall be allowed to sponge out his horse or horses oftener than once in five times scoring.
If these requirements are not complied with on the part of any rider or driver, the Judges may not only start the race, or give the word without regard to the absence or position of the offending party or parties, but the offender may be punished by a fine not exceeding $100, or by suspension not to exceed one year.
In all cases, the starting word or signal shall be given from the Judges’ stand, and in no instance shall a standing start be given.
When, through any fault of either horse, rider, or driver, the Judges are prevented from giving a fair and prompt start, they shall warn the faulty party of the penalties to which he is subject, and if such warning is not heeded, they shall rigidly enforce said penalties.
The horse winning a heat shall take the pole (or inside position) the succeeding heat, and all others shall take their positions in the order assigned them in judging the last heat. When two or more horses shall make a dead heat, the horses shall start for the succeeding heat in the same positions they occupied at the finish of the dead heat.
In coming out on the homestretch the foremost horse or horses shall keep the positions first selected, or be liable to be distanced; and the hindmost horse or horses, when there is sufficient room to pass on the inside or anywhere on the homestretch, without interfering with others, shall be allowed to do so, and any party interfering to prevent him or them shall be distanced.
If a horse, in attempting to pass another on the homestretch, should at any time cross or swerve, so as to impede the progress of a horse behind him, he shall not be entitled to win that heat.
Although a leading horse is entitled to any part of the track, except after selecting his position on the homestretch, he shall not change from the right to the left, or from the inner to the outer side of the track, during any part of the race, when another horse is so near him that in altering his position he compels the horse behind him to shorten his stride, or causes the rider or driver of such other horse to pull him out of his stride; neither shall any horse, rider, or driver, cross, jostle, or strike another horse, rider, or driver, nor swerve or do any other thing that impedes the progress of another horse; nor shall any horse, in passing a leading horse, take the track of the other horse so soon after getting the lead as to cause the horse passed to shorten his stride.
In any heat wherein there shall be a violation of any of these restrictions, the offending horse shall not be entitled to win the heat, and he shall be placed behind all other horses in that heat. And if the impropriety was intentional on the part of the rider or driver, the offending horse may be distanced, and the rider or driver shall be suspended or expelled. [See also Rule 48.]
Rule 30.—Horses Breaking.—When any horse or horses break from their gait in trotting or pacing, their riders or drivers shall at once pull them to the gait in which they were to go the race, and any party failing to comply with this requirement, if he come out ahead, shall lose the heat, and the next best horse shall win the heat; and whether such breaking horse come out ahead or not, all other horses shall be placed ahead of him in that heat, and the Judges shall have discretionary power to distance the offending horse or horses, and the rider or driver may be punished by a fine not to exceed $100, or by suspension not exceeding one year.
Should the rider or driver comply with this requirement, and the horse should gain by a break, twice the distance so gained shall be taken from him at the coming out; but this provision must not be so construed as to shield any trotting or pacing horse from punishment for running.
In case of any horse (in a trotting race) repeatedly breaking, or running, or pacing, while another horse is trotting, the Judges shall punish the horse so breaking, running, or pacing, by placing him last in the heat, or by distancing him.
A horse breaking at or near the score shall be subject to the same penalty as if he broke on any other part of the track.
Rule 31.—Relative to Heats and Horses Eligible to Start.—In heats, one, two, three, or four miles, a horse not winning one heat in three, shall not start for a fourth, unless such horse shall have made a dead heat. In heats best three in five, a horse not winning a heat in the first five shall not start for a sixth, unless said horse shall have made a dead heat. But where ten or more horses start in a race, every horse not distanced shall have the right to compete until the race is completed—subject, however, to all other penalties in these rules.
Rule 32.—Dead Heats.—A dead heat shall be counted in the race, and shall be considered a heat which is undecided only as between the horses making it, and it shall be considered a heat that is lost by all the other horses contending therein; and the time made in a dead heat shall constitute a record for each horse making such dead heat.
Whenever each of the horses making a dead heat would have been entitled to terminate the race had he won said dead heat, they only shall start again; and, in that case, each of the horses thus prevented from starting shall retain his position in the award of premiums as if said dead heat had been decided in favor of one of the horses which made the same a “dead heat.”
A horse prevented from starting by this rule shall not be distanced, but ruled out.
Rule 33.—Time Between Heats.—The time between heats shall be twenty minutes for mile heats; and for mile heats best three in five, twenty-five minutes; and for two-mile heats, thirty minutes; for three-mile heats, thirty-five minutes; and should there be a race of four-mile heats, the time shall be forty minutes.
After the first heat the horses shall be called five minutes prior to the time of starting.
Rule 34.—Time Allowed in Case of Accidents.—In case of accidents, ten minutes shall be allowed; but the Judges may allow more time when deemed necessary and proper.
Rule 35.—Collision and Break-Down.—In case of collision and break-down, the party causing the same, whether willfully or otherwise, may be distanced; and if the Judges find the collision was intentional or to aid fraud, the driver in fault shall be forthwith suspended or expelled, and his horse shall be distanced; but, if necessary to defeat fraud, the Judges may direct the offending horse to start again.
No horse but the offending one shall be distanced in such a heat, except for foul driving.
The Judges in a concluding heat, finding that a collision involved a fraudulent object, may declare that heat void. [See also Rule 48.]
Rule 36.—Placing Horses.—A horse must win a majority of the heats which are required by the conditions of the race to be entitled to the purse or stake; but if ahorse shall have distanced all competitors in one heat, the race will then be concluded, and such horse shall receive the entire purse and stakes contended for.
When more than one horse remains in the race entitled to be placed at the finish of the last heat, the second best horse shall receive the second premium, if there be any; and if there be any third or fourth premium, etc., for which no horse has won and maintained a specific place, the same shall go to the winner;provided, that the number of premiums awarded shall not exceed the number of horses which started in the race.
The foregoing provisions shall always apply, in such cases, unless otherwise stated in the published conditions of the race.
In deciding the rank of horses other than the winner, as to second, third, and fourth places, etc., to be assigned among such as remain in the race entitled to be placed at the conclusion of the last heat thereof, the several positions which have been assigned to each horse so contending shall be considered as to every heat in the race—that is, horses having won two heats, better than those winning one; a horse that has won a heat, better than a horse only making a dead heat; a horse winning one or two heats and making a dead heat, better than one winning an equal number of heats but not making a dead heat; a horse winning a heat or making a dead heat and not distanced in the race, better than a horse that has not won a heat or made a dead heat; a horse that has been placed “second” twice, better than a horse that has been placed “second” only once, etc.
When two or more horses shall be equal in the race at the commencement of a final heat thereof, they shall rank as to each other as they are placed in the decision of such final heat.
In case these provisions shall not give a specific decision as to second and third money, etc., the Judges of the race are to make the awards according to their best judgment, but in conformity with the principles of this rule.
Rule 37.—Distances.—In races of mile heats, 80 yards shall be a distance. In races of two-mile heats, 150 yards shall be a distance. In races of three-mile heats, 220 yards shall be a distance. In races of mile heats, best three in five, 100 yards shall be a distance. But if any association or proprietor shall choose, they can provide, in heats of not over one mile, wherein eight or more horses contend, to increase the distance one-half, in which case such change shall be stated in the published conditions of the race before entry.
All horses whose heads have not reached the distance-stand as soon as the leading horse arrives at the winning-post shall be declared distanced, except in cases otherwise provided for, or the punishment of the leading horse by setting him back for running, when it shall be left to the discretion of the Judges.
A distanced horse is out of the race, and if in any heat one horse shall distance all competitors the race will then be completed, and the winner shall be entitled to the entire purse and stakes contended for, unless otherwise stipulated in the published conditions of the race.
Rule 38.—Rank Between Distanced Horses.—Horses distanced in the first heat of a race shall be equal, but horses that are distanced in any subsequent heat shallrank as to each other in the order of the positions to which they were entitled at the start of the heat in which they were distanced.
Rule 39.—Time and its Record.—In every public race the time of each heat shall be accurately taken and placed in the record, and upon the decision of each heat the time thereof shall be publicly announced by the Judges, except as provided in these rules concerning those heats which are “not awarded to either of the leading horses.”
It shall be the duty of the Judges of the race to take the time as aforesaid, or to appoint some suitable person or persons to assist them in that respect, and nounofficialtiming shall be announced or admitted to the record. [See also Rule 40.]
Rule 40.—Two Leading Horses to be Separately Timed.—The two leading horses shall be separately timed, and if the heat is awarded to either, his time only shall be announced and be a record.
In case of a dead heat, the time shall constitute a record for the horses making the dead heat; and if for any other cause the heat is not awarded to either of the leading horses, it shall be awarded to the next best horse, and no time shall be given out by the Judges or recorded against either horse; and the Judges may waive the application of the rule in regard to distance in that heat, except for foul riding or driving.
Rule 41.—Suppression of Time.—In any public race, if there shall be any intentional suppression or misrepresentation in either the record or the announcement of the time of any heat in the race, procured through any connivance, or collusive arrangement, or understanding between the proprietor or Judges or Timers and the owner of the winning horse or his driver or other authorized agent, it shall be deemed fraudulent. And any horse winning a heat or making a dead heat wherein there was such a fraudulent suppression of time, together with the parties implicated in the fraud, shall by operation of the rules be thenceforth expelled.
Rule 42.—A Public Race.—Any contest for purse, premium, stake, or wager, on any course, and in the presence of a Judge or Judges, shall constitute a public race.
Rule 43.—When Time Becomes a Bar.—Time made at fairs and on any track, whether short or not, shall constitute a bar, the same as if made over a track that was full measurement.
Rule 44.—When Time shall not be a Bar.—Time made under the saddle, as well as time made when two or more horses are harnessed together, shall constitute a record for races of the same character, but shall not be a bar for races of a different character.
Rule 45.—Complaints by Riders or Drivers.—All complaints by riders or drivers, of any foul riding or driving, or other misconduct, must be made at the termination of the heat, and before the rider or driver dismounts or leaves his vehicle.
Rule 46.—Decorum.—If any owner, trainer, rider, driver, or attendant of a horse, or any other person, use improper language to the officers of the course or the Judges in a race, or be guilty of any improper conduct, the person or persons so offending shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100, or by suspension or expulsion. [See also Rule 48.]
Rule 47.—Loud Shouting.—Any rider or driver guilty of loud shouting, or making other improper noise, or of making improper use of the whip during the pendency of a heat, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $25, or by suspension during the meeting. [See also Rule 48.]
Rule 48.—Fouls.—If any act or thing shall be done by any owner, rider, driver, or their horse or horses, during any race or in connection therewith, which these rules define or warrant the Judges in deciding to be fraudulent or foul, and if no special provision is made in these rules to meet the case, the Judges shall have power to punish the offender by fine not to exceed $100, or by suspension or expulsion. And in any case of foul riding or driving they shall distance the offending horse, unless they believe such a decision will favor a fraud.
The term “foul” shall be construed to apply to riding or driving contrary to rule, to any act of a fraudulent nature, and to any unprincipled conduct such as tends to debase the character of the trotting turf in the estimation of the public. [See also Rules 28, 29, 35, 46 and 47.]
Rule 49.—Fines.—All persons who shall have been fined under these rules, unless they pay the fines imposed in full on the day of assessment, shall be suspended until they are so paid or deposited with the Treasurer of the National Association.
All fines which shall be paid to the association or proprietor on whose grounds they were imposed, shall by them be reported and paid to the Treasurer of said National Association.
Rule 50.—No Compromise of Penalties.—In no case shall there be any compromise in the manner of punishment prescribed in the rules, but the same shall be strictly enforced.
Rule 51.—Suspensions and Expulsions.—Whenever the penalty of suspension is prescribed in these rules, if applied to a horse, it shall be construed to mean a disqualification during the time of suspension to enter or compete in any race to be performed on the course of the association or proprietor; and if applied to a person, it shall be construed to mean a conditional withholding of all right or privilege to make an entry, or to ride, drive, train, or assist on the course and grounds of the association or proprietor.
If no limit is fixed in an order of suspension and none is defined in the rule applicable to the case, the punishment shall be considered as limited to the season in which the order was issued.
Whenever the penalty of expulsion is prescribed in these rules, it shall be construed to mean unconditional exclusion and disqualification from any participation in the privileges and uses of the course and grounds of the association or proprietor.
No penalty of expulsion shall be removed or modified, except by the order or upon the approval of the Board of Appeals.
Whenever either of these penalties has been imposed on any horse or person, on the grounds of any association or proprietor holding membership in said National Association, written or printed notice thereof shall immediately be forwarded to the Secretary of said National Association, stating the offense and the character of punishment, who shall at once transmit the information to each associated course ormember; and thereupon the offender thus punished shall suffer the same penalty and disqualification with each and every association and proprietor holding membership in said National Association.
Rule 52.—Right of Appeal.—Any person who has been subjected to the penalty of suspension, or a fine, by the decision of the Judges of a race, can appeal from such decision to the association or proprietor upon whose grounds the penalty was imposed, and from their decision can appeal to the Board of Appeals;provided, that where the penalty was a fine, it shall have been previously paid.
All decisions and rulings of the Judges of any race, and of the several associations and proprietors belonging to said National Association, may be appealed to the Board of Appeals, and shall be subject to review by said Board, upon facts and questions involving the proper interpretation and application of these rules, and their decisions shall be final;provided, that parties to be affected thereby, shall be notified as the Board shall direct, of a time and place when such appeal will be acted on by the Board.
Provided further, if the appeal relate to the decision of a race, immediate notice shall have been given to the Judges of the race, of the intention so to appeal. Notices of all other appeals must be given within one week from the announcement of the decisions appealed.
Any person who shall appeal from any order suspending him or his horse for non-payment of entrance money or a fine, may deposit the amount claimed with the Treasurer of said National Association, who may thereupon issue a certificate or notice temporarily reinstating or relieving the party and his horse from such penalty, subject to the final action of the Board of Appeals.
Rule 53.—Age of a Horse—How Reckoned.—The age of a horse shall be reckoned from the first day of January of the year of foaling.
Rule 54.—Colts and Fillies Equally Eligible to Enter.—All colts and fillies shall be eligible alike to all premiums and stakes for animals of their age, unless specially excluded by the conditions imposed.
Rule 55.—A Green Horse.—A green horse is one that has never trotted or paced for premiums or money either double or single.
Rule 56.—Races made and “No Hour Named.”—All races shall be started at 3 o’clockP. M., from the 1st day of April to the 15th day of September, and after that date at 2 o’clockP. M., until the season closes, unless otherwise provided.
Rule 57.—Race made and no Distance Specified.—When a race is made and no distance specified, it shall be restricted to the following distances, viz.: One mile and repeat; mile heats, best 3 in 5; two miles and repeat, or three miles and repeat, and may be performed in harness to wagon, or under the saddle.
Rule 58.—Race made to “Go as they Please.”—When a race is made to go as they please, it shall be construed that the performance shall be in harness, to wagon, or under the saddle; but after the race is commenced no change shall be made in the mode of going, and the race shall be deemed to have commenced when the horses appear on the track.
Rule 59.—Race made to go “in Harness.”—When a race is made to go in harness, it shall be construed to mean that the performance shall be to a sulky.
Rule 60.—Matches made against Time.—When a horse is matched against time, it shall be proper to allow any other horse to accompany him in the performance, but not to be harnessed with or in any way attached to him.
In matches made against time, the parties making the match shall be entitled to three trials, unless expressly stipulated to the contrary, which trials shall be had on the same day—the time between trials to be the same as the time between heats in similar distances.
Rule 61.—Horses sold with Engagements.—The seller of a horse sold with his engagements has not the power of striking him out.
In case of private sale, the written acknowledgment of the parties that the horse was sold with engagements, is necessary to entitle the buyer to the benefit of this rule.
A true copy from the record.
D. F. LONGSTREET. Secretary.