Pennsylvania Code › Title 58 - RECREATION › Part IV - Horse Racing Commission › Chapter 163 - RULES OF RACING › RACING OFFICIALS-THE STEWARDS › Section 163.342 - Report and investigation of protests and complaints

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) A horse whose starting is obligatory is
				  expected to run the course. The stewards may order the withdrawal of a horse up
				  to the actual start of a race to protect the public interest.
(b) The stewards shall investigate promptly
				  and render a decision in every protest and complaint properly made to
				  them.
(c) The stewards shall report
				  protests and complaints to the Commission promptly, and shall make prompt
				  report to the Commission of their decision. Unusual or substantial complaints
				  shall be reported to the Commission during their pendency. A record of the
				  status of complaints, protests, proceedings and investigations shall be
				  maintained with the Commission.
(d)
				  The stewards shall, after the closing of each day, file with the Commission a
				  signed report of infractions of this chapter coming under their observance that
				  day, of excusings of horses after scratch time, of other pertinent incidents
				  occurring during the day and shall file with the Commission a complete copy of
				  the rulings and decisions made.
(e)
				  During the term of suspension of a jockey, owner, trainer or other person on a
				  race track under the jurisdiction of the Commission, the stewards shall have
				  the power and duty to see that the validation of the offender is taken up and
				  that he is refused admission to the course during the full term of suspension.
				  A person under suspension for an offense not involving fraud, moral turpitude
				  or willfull misconduct may be permitted the privileges or limited or
				  conditional privileges of the grounds during a period of suspension.
(f) Except in emergencies, a steward may not
				  grant permission for a change of horses' equipment after scratch time on the
				  day of the race in which the changed equipment is to be carried.
(g) In case of accident or casualty to a
				  horse before off time, the stewards may excuse the horse.
(h) The stewards shall report protests and
				  complaints to the Commission promptly, and shall make prompt report to the
				  Commission of their decision.
(i)
				  The stewards shall, after the closing of each day, file with the Commission a
				  signed report of infractions of the rules coming under their observance that
				  day; and file with the Commission rulings on infractions or otherwise, as soon
				  as the rulings are made.
(j) During
				  the term of suspension of a jockey, owner, trainer or other person on a race
				  track under the jurisdiction of the Commission, it shall be the duty of the
				  stewards to see to it that the badge of the offender is taken up and that he is
				  refused admission to the course. A person under suspension for an offense not
				  involving fraud or moral turpitude may be permitted the privileges of the
				  grounds during the period of his suspension.
(k) In case of suspension or fine by the
				  stewards of owners, trainers or other persons holding an occupational or
				  participational license, a final order may be entered by the Commission, which
				  may either sustain the ruling of the stewards, increase the penalty, reinstate
				  the offender, or otherwise modify the penalty, as it believes appropriate to
				  the circumstances.