OAR 462-150-0070: Post Parade; Start; Race

(1) All horses shall parade from paddock to post carrying their respective weights and, to the extent feasible, shall pass the stewards' stand in numerical order. Any horse failing to do so without good cause may be disqualified by the stewards. After passing the stand once, horses may break formation and canter, warm up, or go as they please to the post. (2) Jockeys shall remain on their mounts whenever reasonably possible. In case of an emergency, the stewards or the starter may permit all jockeys to dismount and all horses to be attended during the delay. (3) The post parade shall last no more than 12 minutes, unless approved by the stewards. When the horses have reached the post, they shall be started without unnecessary delay. (4) A jockey shall exert every effort to ride his/her horse to the finish in the best and fastest run of which the horse is capable. No jockey shall ease up or coast to a finish, without adequate cause, even if the horse has no apparent chance to win prize money. (5) In a straight-away race, every horse must maintain position as nearly as possible in the lane in which it starts. Every horse in the race is entitled to racing room. A horse which drifts out of its lane or lugs in or out, and interferes with, or impedes another horse in a manner which, in the opinion of the board of stewards, could have affected the outcome of the race, may be disqualified by the stewards. (6) In a race run around a turn, a horse that is in the clear may be taken to any part of the track. However, a horse which weaves back and forth in front of another horse and/or drifts out of its lane, lugs in or out, and interferes with or impedes another horse in a manner which, in the opinion of the board of stewards, could have affected the outcome of the race, may be disqualified by the stewards. (7) Jockeys shall make every effort to prevent their horse from lugging in or out in a manner which interferes with another horse. (8) Jockeys shall make every effort to prevent their horse from weaving back and forth in front of another horse. (9) Jockeys shall not ride in such a manner as to endanger another horse or jockey. (10) Use of Riding Crop: (a) Although the use of a riding crop is not required, any jockey who uses a riding crop during a race shall do so only in a manner consistent with exerting his/her best efforts to win. (b) In all races where a jockey will ride without a riding crop, an announcement of such fact shall be made over the public-address system. (c) No electrical or mechanical device or other expedient designed to increase or retard the speed of a horse, other than the riding crop approved by the stewards, shall be possessed by anyone, or applied by anyone to the horse at any time on the race meet grounds during the meeting, whether in a race or otherwise. (d) Riding crops shall not be used on two-year-old horses before April 1 of each year. (e) The riding crop shall only be used for safety, correction and limited encouragement, and be appropriate, proportionate, professional, taking into account the rules of racing herein. However, stimulus provided by the use of the riding crop shall be monitored so as not to compromise the welfare of the horse. (f) Use of the riding crop varies with each particular horse and the circumstances of the race. (g) Except for extreme safety reasons all riders should comply with the following when using a riding crop: (A) Initially showing the horse the riding crop, and/or tapping the horse with the riding crop down, giving it time to respond before using it; (B) The riding crop shall not be used more than twice in succession and the horse must be given a chance to respond before using it again; “Chance to respond” is defined as at least three complete strides and one of the following actions by a jockey: (i) Pausing the use of the riding crop on their horse before resuming; or (ii) Pushing on their horse with a rein in each hand, keeping the riding crop in the up or down position; or (iii) Showing the horse the riding crop without making contact; or (iv) Moving the riding crop from one hand to the other. (C) Using the riding crop in rhythm with the horse’s stride. (h) When deciding whether or not to review the jockey’s use of the riding crop, Stewards will consider how the jockey has used the riding crop during the course of the entire race, with particular attention to its use in the closing stages, and relevant factors such as: (A) The manner in which the riding crop was used (B) The purpose for which the riding crop was used (C) The distance over which the riding crop was used and whether the number of times it was used was reasonable and necessary (D) Whether the horse was continuing to respond. (i) In the event there is a review by the Stewards, use of the riding crop may be deemed appropriate in the following circumstances: (A) To keep a horse in contention or to maintain a challenging position prior to what would be considered the closing stages of a race, (B) To maintain a horse’s focus and concentration, (C) To correct a horse that is noticeably hanging, (D) To assure the horse maintains a straight course, or (E) Where there is only light contact with the horse. (j) Prohibited use of the riding crop includes but are not limited to striking a horse: (A) On the head, flanks or on any other part of its body other than the shoulders or hind quarters except when necessary to control a horse; (B) During the post parade or after the finish of the race except when necessary to control the horse; (C) Excessively or brutally causing welts or breaks in the skin; (D) When the horse is clearly out of the race or has obtained its maximum placing; (E) Persistently even though the horse is showing no response under the riding crop; or (F) Striking another rider or horse. (k) After the race, horses will be subject to inspection by a racing official or official veterinarian looking for cuts, welts or bruises in the skin. Any adverse findings shall be reported to the Stewards. (l) The giving of instructions by any licensee that if obeyed would lead to a violation of this rule may result in disciplinary action also being taken against the licensee who gave such instructions. (11) No jockey shall willfully strike or touch another jockey or another jockey's horse or equipment. (12) Jockeys shall not unnecessarily cause or allow their horse to shorten its stride. Jockeys shall ride out their horse in every race. (13) If a horse leaves the designated racing surface after leaving the paddock and prior to the finish of the race, it may be scratched or disqualified.