Opinion ID: 4561260
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Horse Racing Commission

Text: The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is an independent agency of the state government charged with regulating the conduct of horse racing in the Commonwealth. See KRS § 230.225. The Commission consists of fifteen members appointed by the governor, including a chair, vice-chair, and executive director. Id. §§ 230.225(2)(a), (3)(b), (c), 230.230(1). As part of the authority delegated by the General Assembly, the Commission is vested with the power to promulgate administrative regulations governing the conduct of horse races. See id. § 230.260(8). The Commission appoints stewards to act as horse-racing officials. 810 KAR 1:001 § 1(72).1 Stewards have authority over all horses and persons during a race as to all matters related to horse racing. 810 KAR 1:004 § 3(1). They “exercise immediate supervision, control, and regulation of racing at each licensed race meeting on behalf of and responsible only to the commission.” Id. As part of the power delegated to them by the Commission, they rule on “all questions, disputes, protests, complaints, or objections concerning racing which arise during a race meeting . . . .” Id. § 3(2), 3(7). 1The Horse Racing Commission revised the regulations related to horse racing on May 31, 2019, which was after the running of the 2019 Kentucky Derby. All references to Chapter 810 of the Kentucky Administrative Regulations are to the regulations as they existed on May 4, 2019. No. 19-6333 West, et al. v. Ky. Horse Racing Comm’n, et al. Page 5