R 431.4020 Stewards; duties and responsibilities.

Rule 4020. (1) In addition to the general powers specified in these rules, the stewards shall have the following specific duties and responsibilities: (a) Exclude from the race any horse that, in their opinion, is improperly equipped, dangerous, or unfit to race. (b) Investigate any act of cruelty seen by them or reported to them, whether a horse subjected to the alleged cruelty is stabled on or off the grounds. (c) Immediately thereafter open an investigation of any accidents to determine the cause thereof. (d) Closely observe the performance of the drivers and the horses to ascertain if there are any violations of racing rules, particularly interference, helping, or inconsistent racing, and exhaust all means possible to safeguard the contestants and the public. (e) Notify a summoned party of a hearing as soon as possible. (f) Be in the stand 15 minutes before the first race. (g) Observe the preliminary warming up of horses and scoring, noting all of the following: (i) Behavior of horses. (ii) Lameness. (iii) Equipment. (iv) Conduct of the drivers. (v) Changes in odds. (vi) Any unusual incidents pertaining to horses or drivers participating in races. (h) Designate 1 steward to lock the pari-mutuel machines immediately upon the horses reaching the official starting point. (i) Be in communication with the patrol judges, by use of patrol phones or radio, from the time the official starter picks up the horses until the finish of the race. A recording may be made and preserved of all communications between the patrol judges and the stewards' stand. (j) Cause the “objection” sign or “inquiry” sign to be posted in the case of an objection or possible rule violation, and immediately notify the announcer of the objection and the horse or horses involved. In addition, the stewards shall cause the “inquiry” sign to be posted when there has been an accident during the race. As soon as the stewards have made a decision, the posted sign shall be removed, the correct placing displayed, the “official” sign flashed, the announcer provided with an explanation of the decision for announcement, and a video displayed on racetrack monitors. (k) Display the “photo” sign if the order of finish among the contending horses is less than 1/2 length or a contending horse is on a break at the finish. After the photo has been examined and a decision made, true copies shall be made and posted or projected for public inspection. (l) May review the video recordings of the races conducted the previous race day and, in instances of a possible rule infraction or for instructional purposes, show and explain such films to drivers on a daily basis at a time designated by the stewards. (m) Maintain a daily stewards’ report in the manner and form prescribed by the executive director and report all actions of the stewards that arise during a race day. (2) In the performance of their duties, the stewards shall have unrestricted access to all areas and grounds of an association. (3) A complaint against a racing official may be made to the stewards or to the executive director. Complaints made directly to the stewards shall be reported to the executive director, in writing, together with any action which has been taken by the stewards.