Code of Maine Rules › 01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY › 017 - MAINE STATE HARNESS RACING COMMISSION › Chapter 7 - RACING › Section 017-7-46 - Duties of Trainer

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. The trainer is
				responsible for the condition of any horse under his or her care and for
				ensuring that the duties described in this section are fulfilled. The trainer
				of record must instruct any responsible individuals who are assigned to care
				for a horse on race day about compliance with state testing procedures and
				adherence to Commission rules. The trainer of record must actively participate
				in the training of all horses for which he or she is designated as the trainer.
				Active participation must include general oversight and onsite supervision of
				all training activities, direct contact with each horse, and making or
				participating in all decisions relating to the treatment, training and care of
				each horse. Designated responsible individuals are responsible for their own
				conduct while present on Association grounds.
2. The name of each trainer shall be noted on
				each horse's electronic eligibility documentation, and the Judges be notified
				of any change. Any change of trainer for a horse resulting from a suspension
				action by the Commission must be approved by the Commission, or the Chair of
				the Commission.
3. The duties and
				responsibilities of a trainer shall include, but not be limited to, the
				following:
A. The trainer shall be solely
				responsible for the declaration to race of any of his or her horses. This shall
				include responsibility for driver assignments. Once a horse has been drawn into
				a race it is the responsibility of the trainer or, in the absence of the named
				trainer, the responsible individual identified consistent with paragraph 3(B)
				below, to ensure the horse raced is the same horse that was declared.
B. The trainer shall be present in the
				paddock from the time his/her horse(s) enter the paddock until all of his or
				her horses have raced. A horse(s) will be scratched if the trainer is not in
				the paddock pursuant to this rule. In the event that the trainer of record is
				unable to be present in the paddock as described in this section, a responsible
				individual, who is properly licensed by the Commission as a Groom, Trainer or
				Owner, may be designated at the time the horse is admitted to the paddock. The
				Presiding Judge may require a trainer be present in the paddock and reject a
				request for a designated trainer. If so designated, the Horse Identifier shall
				record the identity of the responsible individual for each horse for which the
				trainer of record is not present, and provide that information to the Paddock
				Judge promptly, such that the identity of the trainer or responsible individual
				for each horse admitted to the paddock is on record with the Paddock Judge for
				that race day.
C. If the Commission
				determines that the owner of record for a horse has knowingly declared a
				trainer without the trainer's knowledge and consent, it shall be considered a
				Level 1 violation.
D. It shall be
				the responsibility of the trainer to assure that his or her horse's shoes and
				equipment are in proper condition before going to the Post Parade. The trainer
				shall notify the Paddock Judge of any equipment changes.
E. The trainer shall be responsible to see
				that no prohibited substance is in any horse under his or her care, consistent
				with Chapter 11, regardless of when the horse was obtained. The trainer is
				responsible for ensuring that recently obtained horses do not carry a
				prohibited substance in their systems during a programmed or qualifying race,
				even if that substance was administered prior to acquisition of the
				horse.
F. The trainer of record
				shall be responsible for ensuring that no horse leaves the paddock after racing
				until the Commission has obtained a biological sample from the horse or the
				horse has been released from testing by the Judges. The trainer is also
				responsible for submitting any horse under his or her care to any pre- or
				post-race-testing, when such a test is requested by the State Veterinarian, the
				State Steward, or any licensed official.