Ill. Admin. Code tit. 11, § 1316.10 - Starting Gate

a) Horses shall be started from a starting gate. The starter shall have control of the horses from the formation of the parade until he gives the word "go."

b) After one or two preliminary warming up scores, the starter shall notify the drivers to come to the starting gate. During or before the parade, the drivers must be informed as to the number of scores permitted. Horses may be held on the backstretch not to exceed two minutes awaiting post time, except during an emergency.

c) The horses shall be brought to the starting gate as near one-quarter of a mile before the start as the track will permit.

d) Allowing sufficient time so that the speed of the gate can be increased gradually, the following minimum speeds will be maintained:

1) For the first one-eighth mile, not less than 11 miles per hour.

2) For the next one-sixteenth of a mile, not less than 18 miles per hour.

3) From that point to the starting point, the speed will be gradually increased to maximum speed.

e) On mile tracks, horses will be brought to the starting gate at the head of the stretch and the relative speeds mentioned in sub-section d above will be maintained.

f) The starting point will be a point marked on the inside rail a distance of not less than 200 feet from the first turn. The starter shall give the word "go" at the starting point.

g) When a speed has been reached in the course of a start there shall be no decrease except in the case of a recall.

h) In case of a recall, a light plainly visible to the drivers shall be flashed and a recall sounded, but the starting gate shall proceed out of the path of the horses.

i) There shall be no recall after the word "go" has been given, and, any horse, regardless of his position, or an accident, shall be deemed a starter from the time he entered into the starter's control, unless dismissed by the starter or declared a non-starter by the stewards.

j) The starter shall endeavor to get all horses away in position and on gait but no recall shall be had for a breaking horse.

k) The starter has the authority to sound a recall if:

1) A horse scores ahead of the gate.

2) There is interference.

3) A horse has broken equipment.

4) A horse falls before the word "go" is given.

l) Any horse causing two recalls will be dismissed by the starter.

m) If the starter has not dismissed a horse or ordered a recall and the stewards observe any of the factors enumerated in Section 1316.10(k), the stewards shall declare the horse a non-starter if the horse is unable to finish the race.

n) All wagers on any horse dismissed by the starter or declared a non-starter by the stewards shall be refunded except when a consolation payoff is applicable.

o) A civil penalty not to exceed $100 or suspension from driving not to exceed 15 days, or both, shall be applied to any driver for:

1) Delaying the start.

2) Failure to obey the starter's instructions.

3) Rushing ahead of the inside or outside wing of the gate or rushing the gate.

4) Coming to the starting gate out of position.

5) Crossing over before reaching the starting point.

6) Interference with another driver during the start.

7) Failure to come into position and/or failure to stay in position.

p) The stewards shall discuss the matter with the driver before any penalty is imposed.

Notes

Ill. Admin. Code tit. 11, § 1316.10

Amended at 8 Ill. Reg. 11458, effective June 21, 1984