Section R19-2-317. Rules of the Race

A.      Pre-race activity.

1.        A greyhound shall race under its registered owner’s name as shown on the registration papers or upon Department approval.

2.        All races shall start at regular intervals. Post times shall be based upon the number of races scheduled to run daily. The intervals shall be set by the permittee with the approval of the stewards.

3.        A greyhound shall be identified and exhibited in the pad- dock before post time of the race in which it is entered.

4.        A greyhound shall wear the regulation muzzle and blan- ket while racing. The muzzle and blanket of each grey- hound shall be carefully examined:

a.         In the paddock by the paddock judge before the greyhound leaves for the post;

b.        Before the stewards at the stewards’ stand; and

c.         By the starter at the starting box.

5.        After the greyhounds have entered the track, the parade of the greyhounds to the post shall be no longer than 15 minutes, unless a delay is unavoidable.

6.        After the greyhounds leave the paddock on their way to the starting point, and until the stewards signal the start of the race, all persons except the designated licensees shall be excluded from the course.

7.        If a greyhound is injured after weigh-in, the greyhound may be excused by the stewards on the advice of the track veterinarian and shall not be considered a starter.

B.       Races

1.        A race is not declared official by the stewards unless the lure precedes the greyhounds at all times during the race. If, during the race, a greyhound catches or passes the lure, the stewards shall declare it “no race” and all monies wagered shall be refunded.

2.        The stewards shall closely observe the operation of the lure and hold the lure operator to strict accountability for any inconsistency of operation. The lure shall be kept at a reasonable distance in advance of the greyhounds.

3.        If a greyhound dwells in the box when the doors of the starting box open at the start, there shall be no refund.

4.        If a greyhound bolts the course, runs in the opposite direction, or does not run the entire prescribed distance for the race, all rights in the race are forfeited and no mat- ter where it finishes the stewards shall declare the finish of the race as if the greyhound was not a contender. How- ever the greyhound shall be considered a starter.

5.        If a greyhound bolts the course or runs in the opposite direction during the running of the race and in so doing, in the opinion of the stewards, alters the outcome of the race, the stewards shall declare it “no race” and all mon- ies wagered shall be refunded.

6.        If it appears that a greyhound may interfere with the run- ning of the race because of failure to leave the starting box, or accident, or for any other reason, a person under the supervision of the stewards may remove the grey- hound from the track. However the greyhound shall be considered a starter.

7.        If a race is marred by jams, spills, or racing circumstances other than accident regarding the machinery or outside interference, and three or more greyhounds finish, the stewards shall declare the race official, but if fewer than three greyhounds finish, the stewards shall declare it “no race” and all monies wagered shall be refunded.

8.        Each permittee shall provide a camera approved by the Department for the purpose of taking photographs of all finishes of all races including schooling races.

9.        A greyhound ruled off for fighting or quitting is sus- pended on any track operating under the jurisdiction of the Commission.

10.     If the owner, trainer, or handler of a greyhound is found guilty of an act that prevents the greyhound from running its best, the Department shall suspend the license of the owner, trainer, or handler.

C.      Dead heats

1.        When a race results in a dead heat, the race shall not be run off. When two greyhounds run a dead heat for first place, all prizes to which the first and second greyhounds are entitled shall be divided equally between them. This applies in dividing prizes whatever the number of grey- hounds running a dead heat and whatever places for which the dead heat is run.

2.        When a dead heat for win occurs, each greyhound involved in the dead heat shall be considered a winner and is liable for any penalty attached to the winning of the race.

3.        If the owners of the greyhounds involved in a dead heat cannot agree on the disbursement of a cup or other prize that cannot be divided, the cup or prize shall be deter- mined by lot.

D.      Winnings

1.        Winnings include all prizes earned up to the time appointed for the start and shall apply to all races wher- ever run. Winnings shall include earnings from a walk over or receiving forfeit, but do not include second and third money, or the value of any non-monetary prize. Winnings during the year shall be determined from the preceding January 1.

2.        Winner of a certain sum shall mean winner of a single race of that value unless otherwise expressed in the con- ditions.

3.        In estimating the net value of a race to the winner, all sums contributed by the owner or nominator are deducted from the amount won.

E.       Declarations and scratches

1.        Declarations in purse races shall be made by the kennel owner, trainer, or authorized agent to the racing secretary or his or her assistant at least one-half hour before the time designated for the drawing of post positions on the day before the day on which the greyhound is to race, or at the time appointed by the racing secretary.

2.        Declarations in sweepstakes shall be made in the same manner as provided for making entries in sweepstakes to

the racing secretary, who shall record the day and hour of receipt and give early publicity to the sweepstakes.

3.        A declaration in a stakes race shall be made in writing by the kennel owner or trainer of a greyhound or by the ken- nel owner’s authorized agent.

4.        The declaration of a greyhound is irrevocable.

5.        A greyhound that is withdrawn from a race after the over- night entries are closed is deemed a scratch. The declared greyhound shall lose all preference accrued up to that date unless excused by the stewards.

a.         To scratch a greyhound entered in a race, sufficient cause shall be given to satisfy the stewards, and the cause shall be reported immediately.

b.        The owner or trainer of a greyhound that is scratched because of a violation of a racing rule shall be penal- ized or suspended for six racing days. Scratches for other causes may be disciplined at the discretion of the stewards.

c.         If a trainer fails to have a greyhound entered at the track at the appointed time for weighing in causing the scratch of the greyhound, the stewards shall impose a forfeiture and may suspend or fine the per- son responsible.

d.        If three or more greyhounds are withdrawn or scratched in any one race, the stewards may cancel the race.

e.         The stewards may scratch a greyhound entered in a race for sufficient cause.

6.        A greyhound scratched from a race because of over- weight or underweight shall receive a six-day suspension and shall school back before starting in an official race. Scratched greyhounds may school during their suspen- sion.

Historical Note

Adopted effective August 5, 1983 (Supp. 83-4).

Amended effective March 20, 1990 (Supp. 90-1). R19-2- 317 recodified from R4-27-317 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 12 A.A.R. 1771, effective July 1, 2006 (Supp. 06-2).