Connecticut Administrative Code › Title 12 - Taxation › 574-B - The Operation of Harness Racing › Section 12-574-B36 - Starting

Current through July 10, 2024
(a)
Starting gate
.
(1) Starter's control. The starter, under the
			 direction, supervision and control of the presiding judge shall have control of
			 the horses from the formation of the parade until he gives the word "go". The
			 starter shall be in direct communication with the judges.
(2) Scoring. After the preliminary warming up
			 scores or score, the starter shall notify the drivers to come to the starting
			 gate. During or before the parade, the drivers must be informed as to the
			 number of scores permitted.
(3)
			 Horses brought to starting gate. The horses shall be brought to the starting
			 gate as near one-quarter of a mile before the start as the track will permit.
(4) Speed of gate. Allowing
			 sufficient time so that the speed of the gate can be increased gradually, the
			 following minimum speeds will be maintained:
(A) For the first 1/8 mile, not less than
			 eleven (11) miles per hour.
(B)
			 For the next 1/16 of a mile, not less than eighteen (18) miles per hour.
(C) From that point to the
			 starting point, the speed will be gradually increased to maximum speed.
(5) Starting point. The
			 starting point will be a point marked on the inside rail at a distance of not
			 less than 200 feet from the first turn. The starter shall give the word "go" at
			 the starting point.
(6) Speed
			 reached. When a speed has been reached in the course of a start, there shall be
			 no decrease except in the case of a recall.
(7) Recall notice. In case of a recall, a
			 light plainly visible to the driver shall be flashed and a recall sounded. The
			 starting gate shall proceed, however, out of the path of the horses.
(8) No recall after "go". There shall be no
			 recall after the word "go" has been given. Any horse, regardless of his
			 position or an accident shall be deemed a starter from the time he entered into
			 the starter's control unless dismissed by the starter.
(9) Breaking horse. The starter shall
			 endeavor to get all horses away in position and on a gait, but no recall shall
			 be had for a breaking horse except as provided in rule (a) (10) (E) of this
			 section.
(10) Recall, reasons for.
			 The starter may sound a recall only for the following reasons:
(A) A horse scores ahead of the gate.
(B) There is interference.
(C) A horse has broken equipment.
(D) A horse falls before the word
			 "go" is given.
(E) When a horse
			 fails to come to the gate before the gate reaches the pole 1/16 of a mile
			 before the start, the field may be turned. The term "failure to come to the
			 gate" shall be interpreted to mean that the horse stops, turns and goes in a
			 direction opposite from that of the starting gate, or is hopelessly
			 outdistanced, or on a break.
(11) Penalties. Penalties may be imposed
			 against any driver by the starter, with the approval of the presiding judge,
			 for:
(A) Delaying the start.
(B) Failing to obey the starter's
			 instructions.
(C) Rushing ahead of
			 the inside or outside wing of the gate.
(D) Coming to the starting gate out of
			 position.
(E) Crossing over before
			 reaching the starting point.
(F)
			 Interference with another driver during the start.
(G) Failing to come up into position.
(12) Riding in the
			 gate. No persons shall be allowed to ride in the starting gate except the
			 starter and his driver or operator, and a patrol judge, unless permission has
			 been granted by the commission.
(13) Loudspeaker. Use of a mechanical
			 loudspeaker for any purpose other than to give instructions to drivers is
			 prohibited. The volume shall be no higher than necessary to carry the voice of
			 the starter to the drivers.
(14)
			 Verification of speed. The starter shall, at the end of each race day, submit
			 to the presiding judge the tape from the automatic device used on the gate
			 which discloses the speed of the gate during each race.