Pennsylvania Code › Title 7 - AGRICULTURE › Part VIII - State Horse Racing Commission › Subpart D - Standardbred Rules of Racing (Harness) › Chapter 205 - RULES OF STANDARDBRED RACING-TEMPORARY REGULATIONS › BOARD OF JUDGES › Section 205.32 - Powers of the Judges

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General powers
. In matters pertaining to racing, the orders of
					 the Judges shall supersede the orders of the officers and directors of the
					 association. The Judges shall have the authority to regulate and supervise the
					 conduct of the race meeting and licensed personnel, racing officials, owners,
					 trainers, drivers, grooms and all other persons participating in pari-mutuel
					 racing activities at the race meeting, unless the power and the duty is
					 exclusively vested in the Commission.
(b) The authority of the Board of Judges
					 shall begin at least 10 days prior to the beginning of the race meeting and
					 shall terminate with the completion of their business pertaining to the
					 meeting. This period may be modified or altered as deemed necessary by the
					 Commission. If a dispute is unresolved at the time, it may be heard later or
					 disposed of by the Judges or referred to the Commission. This section does not
					 limit the power of the Judges to impose sanctions which continue beyond the end
					 of the race meeting.
(c) If there
					 is a succeeding meeting approved to begin at the same racetrack, the power of
					 the Judges at the meetings is deemed to be continuing and sustaining.
(d)
Specific powers
. The
					 Presiding Judge and Associate Judges shall have the authority to:
(1) Impose all necessary fines and penalties
					 in accordance with the act and as specifically set forth in the Commission's
					 regulations.
(2) Determine all
					 questions of fact relating to the race and resolve conflicts and disputes
					 related to racing and discipline violators in accordance with these
					 regulations.
(3) Decide any
					 disputes between parties to the race or any contingent racing matter not
					 specifically covered by the rules, but which, in the Judges' opinion, may
					 negatively impact the public interest or the public's perception of
					 racing.
(4) Declare pools and bets
					 "Off" in case of fraud, or to declare any horse a nonstarter and to direct the
					 refund of all wagers made thereon. All pools and bets shall follow the
					 decisions of the Judges. These decisions in respect to pools and bets shall be
					 made before or after the conclusion of the race upon the observations of the
					 Judges and upon the facts as an immediate investigation will develop. A
					 reversal or change of decision after the official placing at the conclusion of
					 a heat or dash shall not affect the distribution of the betting pools made upon
					 the official placing.
(5) Declare a
					 dash or heat of a race no contest in the event that a track is thrown into
					 darkness during the progress of a race by failure of electricity.
(6) Postpone or cancel races in the event of
					 unfavorable weather conditions or for any other reason related to the health
					 and safety of the horse and those participating in the race.
(7) Conduct administrative hearings in
					 accordance with Chapter 179, Subchapter B (relating to Judges and Stewards
					 hearings) and compel the attendance of witnesses, the submission of documents
					 or potential evidence related to any investigation or hearing and may
					 administer oaths and examine witnesses.
(8) Consider complaints of foul from the
					 patrol Judges or drivers in the race.
(9) To have reasonable control over and
					 access to restricted and unrestricted areas including stands, paddock, stables,
					 barns and other areas of the racetrack enclosure.
(10) To direct the examination a horse
					 stabled on the racetrack grounds, or in a stabling area approved by the
					 licensed racing entity.
(11)
					 Inspect from time to time license documents, registration papers and other
					 documents related to racing.
(12)
					 Consult with the Commission Veterinarian to determine the nature and
					 seriousness of a laboratory finding or an alleged medication
					 violation.