department of agriculture
Thoroughbred Racing Commission
3 DE Admin. Code 1001
Proposed
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, pursuant to 3 Del.C. §10005, proposes to amend rule 15.14.1 to permit the imposition of penalties if a horse does not report for testing. The Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule change on July 18, 2006. Written comments should be sent to John F. Wayne, Executive Director, Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, 777 Delaware Park Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19804.
The proposed rule change is as follows:
1001 Thoroughbred Racing Rules and Regulations
1.1 In the context of these Rules of Racing, the following words and phrases shall be construed as having the following special meanings:
1.1.1 Added money: Cash, exclusive of trophy or other award, added by the Licensee to stakes fee paid by subscribers to form the total purse for a stakes race.
1.1.2 Age: The number of years since a horse was foaled, reckoned as if such horse were foaled on January 1 of the year in which such horse was foaled.
1.1.3 Arrears: All sums due by any permittee or registrant as reflected by his account with the Licensee or the Horsemen's Bookkeeper, including subscriptions, jockey fees, forfeitures, and any default incident to these rules.
1.1.4 Authorized Agent: Any person currently registered as an agent for a registered-owner principal by virtue of a notarized appointment of agency properly and fully lodged with the Licensee.
1.1.5 Betting Interest: A single horse, or more than one horse joined as a "mutuel entry" or joined in the "mutuel field", on which a single pari-mutuel wager may be placed.
1.1.6 Bleeder: Any horse known to have bled from its nostrils during a workout or race or is found to have bled internally by endoscopic examination. See Rule 15.2.1.1.
1.1.7 Breeder: Owner of the dam of a horse at the time such horse was foaled. A horse is "bred" at the place of its foaling.
1.1.8 Claiming Race: Any race in which the ownership of every horse running therein may be transferred in conformity with these Rules.
1.1.9 Closing: Time published by the Licensee after which entries for a race will not be accepted.
1.1.10 Commission: The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission. "Commissioner" is a member of the Commission.
1.1.11 Day: Any 24-hour period beginning at 12:01 a.m. and ending at midnight. "Racing Day" is a day on which races are conducted. "Calendar Days" are those consecutive days counted irrespective of number of "Racing Days."
1.1.12 Declaration: Withdrawal of a horse entered in a race prior to time of closing of entries therefor in conformance with these Rules.
1.1.13 Disciplinary Action: That action taken by the Stewards, by the Licensee, or by the Commission, for a Rule violation; it can include suspension, revocation, voidance of a permit, authorization or registration, ejection or exclusion from the Licensee's grounds, or assessment of a forfeiture, or reprimand, or any combination thereof.
1.1.14 Disqualification: An order of the Stewards revising the order of finish of a race.
1.1.15 Entry: The act of nominating a horse for a race in conformance with these Rules. See "Mutuel Entry".
1.1.16 Equipment: Accouterments, other than ordinary saddle, girth, pad, saddle cloth, and bridle carried by a horse, including whip, blinkers, tongue strap, muzzle, hood, noseband, bit, shadow roll, martingale, breast plate, bandages, boots, and racing plates or shoes.
1.1.17 Exhibition Race: A race between horses of diverse ownership for which a purse is offered by the Licensee, but on which no pari-mutuel wagering is permitted.
1.1.18 Field or Mutuel Field: A single betting interest involving more than one horse which is formed when the number of horses starting a race exceeds the numbering capacity of the totalizator and where all horses of a higher number are grouped in the "mutuel field".
1.1.19 Forfeit: Money due by a permittee, registrant or other person to whom these Rules apply because of an error, fault, neglect of duty, breach of contract, or alternative order of the Stewards.
1.1.20 Handicap Race: A race in which the weights to be carried by the horses therein are assigned by the Licensee's Handicapper with the intent of equalizing the chances of winning for all horses entered. A "free handicap" is a handicap for which no nominating fee is required to be weighted, but an entrance and/or starting fee may be required for starting therein.
1.1.21 Horse: Any Thoroughbred, whether mare, gelding, colt or filly, which is registered as such with the Jockey Club in Lexington, Kentucky, or, for Steeplechase racing purposes, by the National Steeplechase Association in Fair Hill, Maryland and any Arabian whether mare, gelding, colt or filly which is registered as such with the Arabian Horse Registry of America, Inc. in Westminster, Colorado and for which an Identification Supplement has been issued.
In these rules of racing, unless otherwise noted, the use of the word "Thoroughbred" shall likewise apply to Arabian horses.
1.1.22 Ineligible: A horse or person not qualified, not permitted, or not authorized under these Rules or conditions of a race to participate in a specified racing activity.
1.1.23 Jockey: A rider currently authorized to ride in races as a Jockey, or Apprentice Jockey, or Amateur Jockey, or a provisional Jockey permitted by the Stewards to ride in two races prior to applying for a permit.
1.1.24 Lessee: A registered Owner whose interest in a horse is a leasehold.
1.1.25 Licensee: Any person, or persons, or corporation, licensed by the Commission to conduct a recognized race meeting at a particular racetrack within this State. When used herein, the word refers to that Licensee of the racetrack at which any matter or thing calling for the application of these Rules arises or occurs.
1.1.26 Maiden: With respect to flat races, a horse which has never won a flat race at a recognized meeting in any country; a "maiden" which was disqualified after finishing first remains a "maiden"; race conditions referring to "maidens" shall be interpreted as meaning "maidens" at the time of starting.
In flat races a horse is still a maiden though a winner of a steeplechase or hurdle race, and in steeplechase and hurdle races a horse is still a maiden though a winner on the flat.
1.1.27 Match Race: A race between two horses for which no other horses are eligible.
1.1.28 Meeting: The entire period of consecutive days, exclusive of dark days, granted by the Commission to a Licensee for the conduct of racing, beginning at 12:01 a.m. of the first racing day and extending through a period ending at 11:59 p.m. after the last scheduled race on the last day, which includes all race dates approved by the Commission under 3 Del.C. §10122(c) including racing dates limited exclusively to the receiving and accepting of wagers or bets on electronically televised simulcasts. See "Recognized Meeting". Rule 1.28 Rev. March 1976.
1.1.29 Month: A calendar month.
1.1.30 Mutuel Entry: A single betting interest involving two or more horses entered in the same race and joined for pari-mutual purposes because of common ties as to ownership so that a wager on one horse joined in a "mutuel entry" is a wager on all horses joined in the same "mutuel entry".
1.1.31 Mutuel Field: See "Field".
1.1.32 Nominator: The person in whose name a horse is entered for a race.
1.1.33 Owner: Any person who holds, in whole or in part, any right, title, or interest in a horse, or any lessee of a horse, who has been duly registered and approved by Licensee as a person responsible for such horse.
1.1.34 Permittee: Any person authorized by or registered with and approved by the Commission to participate in any designated way in racing at the location where Licensee is authorized to conduct a racing meet. See "Registrant".
1.1.35 Place: When used in the context of a single position in the order of finish in a race, "Place" means second; when used in the context of a pari-mutuel wagering, a "Place" wager is one involving a payoff on a betting interest which finished first or second in a race; when used in the context of multiple positions in the order of finish in a race, "Place or Placing" means finishing first, or second, or third. See "Unplaced".
1.1.36 Post: The starting point of a race.
1.1.37 Post Position: The relative place assigned to each horse, numbered from the inner rail across the track at the starting line, from which each horse is to start a race.
1.1.38 Post Time: The advertised moment scheduled for the arrival of all horses at the starting point for a race.
1.1.39 Prize: The combined total of any cash, plate, purse, premium, stake, trophy, reward or object of value awarded to the Owners of horses according to order of finish in a race. No race shall be authorized or permitted for a purse, stake or reward of less than $700.00, except in the event of a split race, in which case the purse, stake or reward shall be equally divided. Rule 1.30 Rev. July 1977.
1.1.40 Purse: The gross cash portion of the prize for which a race is run.
1.1.41 Purse Race: Any race for which entries close less than 72 hours prior to its running, and for which Owners of horses entered are not required by its conditions to contribute money toward its purse.
1.1.42 Race: A running contest between horses, ridden by Jockeys, over a prescribed course, at a recognized meeting, during regular racing hours, for a prize.
1.1.43 Racing Official: Any person appointed and designated as such, and authorized to perform the duties prescribed at any race meeting authorized by the Commission.
1.1.44 Recognized Meeting: Any meeting with regularly scheduled races for horses on the flat or over jumps, licensed by and conducted under rules promulgated by a governmental body, including any such authority which has reciprocal relations with the Jockey Club of Lexington, Kentucky, whose race records can be provided to a Licensee by the Jockey Club and any such authority which has reciprocal relations with the American Horse Registry of America, Inc. in Westminster, Colorado.
1.1.45 Registrant: Synonymous with "Permittee".
1.1.46 Registration Certificate: A document issued by the Jockey Club of Kentucky certifying as to the name, age, color, sex, pedigree and breeder of a horse as registered by number with the Jockey Club, shall be deemed to refer also to the document known as a "racing permit" issued by the Jockey Club in lieu of a "registration certificate" when a horse is recognized as a Thoroughbred for racing purposes in the United States, but is not recognized as a Thoroughbred for breeding purposes insofar as registering its progeny with the Jockey Club.
1.1.46.1 Reward: Any non-monetary prize, as defined in Rule 1.1.3.9, with a monetary value in excess of $2,500.00, as determined by the fair market value of the prize, given to competitors in a race as an incentive to win, place or show.
1.1.46.2 The fair market value of any prize shall be determined by the commission. Evidence of fair market value shall include purchase price and resale value.
1.1.47 Rules: When used in the plural, shall be deemed to mean all current "Rules" promulgated by the Commission; when used in the singular, shall be deemed to be confined to the numbered "Rule", and subparagraphs thereof, wherein such mention is made.
1.1.48 Rulings: All determinations, decisions, or orders of the Stewards duly issued in writing and posted. Rule 1.48 Rev. March 1976.
1.1.49 Scratch: Withdrawal of a horse entered for a race after time of closing of entries therefor in conformance with these Rules.
1.1.50 Scratch Time: Time set by Licensee's Racing Secretary as a deadline for horsemen to indicate their desire to scratch out of a race.
1.1.51 Specimen: Sample of blood, urine or saliva taken or drawn from a horse for chemical testing.
1.1.52 Stakes: All fees paid by subscribers to an added-money or stakes race for nominating, eligibility, entrance, or starting, as may be required by the conditions of such race, such fees to be included in the purse.
1.1.53 Stakes Race: A race which closes more than 72 hours in advance of its running and for which subscribers contribute money towards its purse.
1.1.54 Starters: When referring to a horse -- a horse in a race when the starting-gate doors open in front of it at the moment the Starter (a Racing Official) dispatches the horses for a race.
1.1.55 Stewards: Duly appointed Racing Officials with powers and duties as provided by statute and these Rules.
1.1.56 Subscription: Nomination or entry of a horse in a stakes race.
1.1.57 Thoroughbred Racing: The conduct of running contests between horses, each of which is registered with the Jockey Club in Lexington, Kentucky and certified as having a Thoroughbred pedigree, or which is registered and certified by any other authority recognized by the commission, and each of which is ridden by a Jockey, under the auspices of an appropriate governmental regulatory body which has jurisdiction over such.
1.1.57.1 Trophy or Plate: For the purpose of calculating a prize or reward, a perpetual trophy or plate shall have no monetary value.
1.1.57.2 No trophy or plate shall be considered a reward, as defined by these rules and 3 Del.C. §10121 and §10141(c), unless the trophy or plate has a monetary value exceeding $2500.00.
1.1.57.3 The fair value market of any trophy or plate shall be determined by the commission. Evidence of fair market value shall include purchase price and resale value. Rule 1.1.57 adopted 11/30/94. Rule 1.1.57 Rev. March 1974.
1.1.58 Unplaced: Not among the first three horses finishing a race.
1.1.59 Walkover: A race in which the only starter or all starters represent a single ownership.
1.1.60 Weigh In: Presentation of a Jockey to the Clerk of Scales for weighing after a race.
1.1.61 Weigh Out: Presentation of a Jockey to the Clerk of Scales for weighing prior to a race.
1.1.62 Weight for Age: A standard assignment of pounds to be carried by horses in races at specified distances during specified months of the year, scaled according to the age of the horse, as set out hereinafter in these Rules.
1.1.63 Workout: A training exercise of a horse on the training or main track of a Licensee during which such horse is timed for speed over a specified distance.
1.1.64 Year: Twelve consecutive months beginning with January and ending with December.
1.1.65 Mandatory Safety Equipment: Helmets and Vests. The helmets and vests that are to be worn while riding astride a horse or pony at any time, for any reason, while on the grounds of a racetrack that comes under the jurisdiction of the Commission. Rule 1.1.65 adopted 11/30/94.
7 DE Reg. 316 (9/1/03)
2.1 Conditions precedent to registration or issuance of authorization or permit.
2.1.1 Thoroughbred racing and participation therein within Delaware are privileges, not rights, which are subject to the conditions and requirements imposed by these Rules. Acceptance of an authorization, registration or permit as provided for by these Rules shall constitute the recipient’s consent and agreement to the requirements of these Rules, and failure to comply therewith shall be grounds for immediate voidance or revocation of such authorization, registration or permit. Registrants and Permittees shall abide by all rulings and decisions of the Commission, the Licensee and/or of the Stewards, and all such rulings and decisions shall remain in force unless and until reversed or modified by the Commission upon proper appeal thereto, or a court of competent jurisdiction.
2.1.2 All rulings and decisions of the Stewards may be appealed to the Commission upon deposit of an appropriate sum to defray all costs attendant.
2.1.3 By applying for, and/or accepting, any authorization, registration or permit provided for by these Rules, the Permittee or Registrant consents: (1) to a search by the Licensee and/or by the Commission, or their respective representatives, of his person and any property in his possession, such property being restricted to that on Licensee's grounds and including, without limiting thereby, tack rooms, living or sleeping quarters, motor vehicles, trunks, boxes and containers of any sort; and (2) to seizure of any object which may be evidence indicating a violation of these Rules; and (3) to having his photograph and fingerprints taken and retained on file by the Commission and/or any other security or investigative agency or entity it may select. During the conduct of an investigation, every Permittee or Registrant shall respond correctly under oath to the best of his knowledge to all questions asked by the Commission, the Licensee, the Stewards or their respective representatives, pertaining to racing matters.
2.2 By Whom Required:
2.2.1 No person shall participate in Thoroughbred Racing in Delaware at any Licensee's racetrack as a horse Owner, Trainer, Assistant Trainer, Authorized Agent, Jockey, Apprentice Jockey, Jockey's Agent, Stable Agent, Stable Employee, Racing Official, Licensee's employee, or employee of a person or concern contracting with the Licensee to provide a service or commodity and which employment requires his presence on Licensee's grounds during a race meeting, or Veterinarian, Farrier, Dental Technician or supplier of food, tack, medication or horse feed, without first securing such authorization or permit therefor from the Commission in such form, upon such conditions, and for such fees or charges, as it from time to time, with the Commission's approval, may require.
2.3 Registrar:
2.3.1 The Licensee is authorized, with the approval of the Commission, to employ a Registrar who shall be responsible for processing applications for authorizations, permits, and registrations of all persons for whom such is required by the preceding section.
2.3.2 A person may serve concurrently as Registrar and as a Steward. The Registrar and his assistants shall:
2.3.2.1 Be present on Licensee's grounds prior to the opening of a race meeting, and during the meeting, to accept such applications and registrations, and shall maintain an office on Licensee's grounds for such purpose.
2.3.2.2 File reports to the Commission respecting such applications with accountings of fees received therefor, as and when required by the Commission.
2.3.2.3 Be responsible for arranging the photographing and fingerprinting of all such applicants for whom Licensee requires such.
2.4 Standards for Granting Permits, etc., to Participants in Racing:
2.4.1 The Commission, may allow registration or issue an authorization or permit to any person who applies for same to participate in Thoroughbred Racing at Licensee's racetrack in Delaware as a horse Owner, Trainer, Assistant Trainer, Authorized Agent, Jockey, Apprentice Jockey, Jockey's Agent, Stable Agent, Stable Employee, Racing Official, Licensee's employee, employee of a person or concern contracting with the Licensee to provide a service or commodity and which requires his presence on Licensee's grounds during a race meeting, or Veterinarian, Farrier, Dental Technician, or supplier of food, tack, medication, or horse feed, if the Commission, finds that the financial responsibility, age, experience, reputation, competence, and/or fitness of the applicant to perform the activity so registered or permitted by an authorization or permit, are consistent with the best interests of racing and maintenance of the honesty, integrity, and high quality it heretofore has enjoyed in Delaware.
2.5 Grounds for Refusal, Suspension, or Revocation of a Permit, etc.:
2.5.1 The Commission in its discretion, may refuse to register or to issue an authorization or permit to an applicant, or may suspend or revoke a registration, permit, or authorization previously issued, or order disciplinary measures, on the following grounds:
2.5.1.1 Denial of a license, permit, authorization or registration to an applicant, or suspension or revocation of such, in another racing jurisdiction at any previous time;
2.5.1.2 Conviction of a crime or violation of any narcotic regulation, or association with any person who has been so convicted;
2.5.1.3 Falsification, misrepresentation, or omission of required information in the application submitted to the Commission; failure to disclose the complete ownership or beneficial interest in a horse entered to be raced; misrepresentation or attempted misrepresentation in connection with the sale of a horse or other matter pertaining to racing or registration of Thoroughbreds or Arabians;
2.5.1.4 Failure to comply with any order or ruling of the Commission, Stewards, or Racing Official pertaining to a racing matter;
2.5.1.5 Ownership of any interest in, or participating by any manner in, any bookmaking, pool-selling, touting, bet solicitation, or illegal enterprise, or association with any person ever so engaged in such activity;
2.5.1.6 Person less than 16 years of age;
2.5.1.7 Person unqualified by experience or competence to perform the activity or hold the status for which registration, permit, or authorization is sought;
2.5.1.8 Intoxication, use of profanity, fighting, or any conduct of a disorderly nature, on Licensee's grounds;
2.5.1.9 Employment or harboring of unauthorized persons required by these Rules to register or have a permit or authorization;
2.5.1.10 Discontinuance of or ineligibility for activity for which registration, permit, or authorization was issued;
2.5.1.11 Possession on Licensee's grounds, without written permission therefore from the Commission, the Licensee, or the Stewards, of:
2.5.1.11.1 Firearms;
2.5.1.11.2 Battery, or buzzer, or electrical device, or other appliance other than an ordinary whip which could be used to alter the speed of a horse in a race or workout;
2.5.1.12 Possession on Licensee's grounds by a person other than a licensed Veterinarian of:
2.5.1.12.1 Hypodermic needle, or hypodermic syringe, or other device which could be used to administer any substance to a horse;
2.5.1.12.2 Narcotics, or medication, or drug, or substance which could be used to alter the speed of a horse in a race.
2.5.1.13 Use of profane, abusive or insulting language to or interference with a Commissioner, member of the Commission staff, or Racing Official, while such persons are in the discharge of their duties;
2.5.1.14 Cruelty to a horse or neglect of a horse entrusted to a permittee's care;
2.5.1.15 Offering, promising, giving, accepting or soliciting a bribe in any form, directly or indirectly, to or by a person having any connection with the outcome of a race, or failure to report knowledge of same immediately to the Stewards;
2.5.1.16 Causing, or attempting to cause, or participation in any way in any attempt to cause the pre-arrangement of a race result, or failure to report knowledge of same immediately to the Stewards;
2.5.1.17 Entering, or aiding or abetting the entering of, a horse ineligible or unqualified for the race entered;
2.5.1.17.1 Drug addiction, public drunkenness, financial irresponsibility or failure to pay debts when due, bad moral character, intemperate habits, bad reputation for honesty, truth and veracity, past instance of lying, cheating, or stealing, or involvement in a subject of public notice as involved in any activity which, would be inconsistent with the best interests of racing by reflection on the honesty and integrity of the sport of racing, or association with persons so characterized;
2.5.1.18 Violation of any rule of the Commission, or aiding or abetting any person in the violation of any such rule;
2.5.1.19 Unfavorable report, on any of the grounds hereinbefore stated, by recognized law enforcement authorities, the Licensee's security director or his designee, inspection bureaus, credit reporting companies, courts or like organizations upon whom the Commission is authorized to rely if it chooses in any given cause to do so;
2.5.1.20 Past or contemplated conduct or utterance which, does or may adversely affect, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and whether in fact or only seemingly, the public's confidence in the reputation Thoroughbred racing heretofore has enjoyed in Delaware for stringent adherence to uncompromising standards of honesty, integrity and propriety;
2.5.1.21 Failure to submit to having his photograph and fingerprints taken and maintained by the Commission.
2.6 Permit Application for Participants in Racing:
2.6.1 Any person required to register or have an authorization or permit by Rule 2.2 who desires to participate in Thoroughbred Racing and/or Arabian Racing in Delaware may apply to the Commission for registration, authorization or permit to participate in racing at Licensee's racetrack. Such application shall be made in writing on application forms prescribed by the Commission and filed at the Commission's general office or with the Licensee's Registrar on or after January 2 of the calendar year in which the registration, permit, or authorization is to be in force, but not later than 24 hours after applicant has arrived on Licensee's grounds.
2.6.2 All owners and trainers shall carry workmen's compensation insurance covering all their employees. This paragraph is intended to include all individuals employed by Owners and Trainers in the training and racing of horses. All concessionaires shall carry workmen's compensation covering all their employees.
2.6.2.1 Applications from persons not previously registered or granted an authorization or permit at Licensee's racetrack shall include the names of two reputable persons who will attest to the good reputation of the applicant and to the capability and general fitness of the applicant to perform the activity permitted by the permit.
2.6.2.2 Applications from persons whose age is not readily ascertainable by the Commission or its Registrar shall be accompanied by an attested copy of birth certificate or work permit showing applicant is 16 years of age or older.
2.6.2.3 Fingerprint identification, as well as a photograph, will be required of all registrants and permittees unless waived (e.g., absentee owners and casual delivery personnel who do not enter the stable area).
2.6.2.4 Applications from persons, corporations, partnerships, lessees, or other legal entities involving more than one individual person desiring to race horses at Licensee's racetrack in Delaware shall, in addition to designating the person or persons to represent the entire ownership of such horses, be accompanied by documents which fully disclose the identity and degree and type of ownership held by all individual persons who own or control, directly or indirectly, as a stockholder, syndicate participant, partner, or otherwise, a present or reversionary interest in such horses. No application shall be acted upon until it is satisfied a full disclosure has been made.
2.6.2.5 Applications from persons desiring to treat, or prescribe for, or attend any horse on Licensee's grounds as a practicing Veterinarian, shall be accompanied by evidence that such person is currently licensed as a Veterinarian by the State of Delaware. An accredited practicing Veterinarian not holding a permit or authorization from the Licensee or a license from the State of Delaware, however, may with permission of the Stewards in an emergency be called in as a consultant, or to serve as a Veterinarian for one horse on a temporary basis, and shall not thereby be considered as participating in racing in this State.
2.6.2.6 Applications from persons desiring to treat, or prescribe for, or attend any horse on Licensee's grounds as a Dental Technician shall be accompanied by the name of a licensed Veterinarian who will attest to the technical competence of such applicant and under whose sponsorship and direction such applicant will work on Licensee's grounds.
2.6.2.7 As a condition precedent to the registration or issuance of any permit or authorization required of participants in racing by these Rules, the Commission shall be entitled to charge and collect, and each applicant shall be required to pay, an annual fee in such amount as permitted by 3 Del.C. Chapter 101 for each activity or status for which applicant seeks registration or the issuance of a permit or authorization.
2.6.2.8 The Commission, pursuant to 3 Del.C. §10131, shall have the power to impose license fees for those participating in a racing meet. The license fees for participants in a racing meet, if imposed by the Commission, shall be payable to the Commission as follows:
2.6.2.8.1 $50 for all owners and all trainers.
2.6.2.8.2 $30 for all veterinarians, farriers, jockeys, apprentice jockeys, jockey agents, and assistant trainers.
2.6.2.8.3 $15 for all licensee vendor and vendor employees.
2.6.2.8.4 $5 for all stable employees and association employees. Rule 2.7 revised 7/2/96.
2.7 Registration:
2.7.1 The Commission shall review all registrations, authorizations and permits subject to such security check and other investigation in appropriate instances as it may deem necessary or desirable, and may issue to a permit applicant a temporary authorization or permit to participate in the activity for which application is made pending further processing, investigation, and final action on such application subsequently.
2.8 Term of Authorization:
2.8.1 Registrations, authorizations and permits issued by the Commission hereunder for participants in Thoroughbred Racing shall be valid from the date of issuance through the calendar year shown on such license at all race meetings conducted by a Licensee during such calendar year, unless sooner suspended, revoked or voided, or otherwise permitted by 3 Del.C. Ch. 101. The Commission may renew any authorization or permit and any such renewal shall not be construed to be a waiver or condonement of any violation which occurred prior to such renewal and shall not prevent subsequent proceedings against the holder thereof.
2.8.2 The validity of a registration, permit or authorization does not preclude or infringe upon the common law and absolute right of any Licensee in Delaware, without necessity for giving reason or excuse, to eject or exclude any person from its premises at any time.
2.9 Possession of identification card required:
2.9.1 No person required by these Rules to be registered by, or to have an authorization or permit from the Commission, may participate in any activity for which such is required on Licensee's grounds during a race meeting without having been issued an identification card containing his or her photograph which shall evidence such authorization and having the same in his or her possession.
2.9.1.1 With respect to Owners, or in special cases with respect to others, the Commission may waive this requirement. Also, see Rule 6.1.
2.10 Applicability of Regulations to Arabian Horses
2.10.1 All Arabian horses participating in races held at Delaware Park shall be subject to all the Rules and Regulations of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission with the exception of the regulations concerning the use of drugs, medication and/or prohibited substances.
2.10.2 The policies and regulations of the International Arabian Horse Association and the Mid-Atlantic Arabian Horse Racing Association shall be the regulations applied by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission to the use of medication, drugs and/or prohibited substances by Arabian horses racing in Delaware on licenses premises.
This regulation was adopted pursuant to the emergency regulation authority granted by 29 Del.C. §10119 and the regulatory authority granted by 28 Del.C. §328(m).
4 DE Reg. 174 (7/1/00)
3.1 Qualifications for Stewards:
3.1.1 No person shall qualify for appointment or approval as a Steward unless:
3.1.1.1 In addition to any minimum qualifications promulgated by the Commission, all applicants for the position of Steward must be certified by a national organization approved by the Commission. An applicant for the position of steward must also have been previously employed as a steward, patrol judge, clerk of scales or other racing official at a thoroughbred racing meeting for a period of not less than forty-five days during three of the last five years, or have at least five years of experience as a licensed jockey who has not less than one year as a licensed racing official at a thoroughbred racing meeting or have ten years of experience as a licensed thoroughbred trainer who has served not less than one year as a licensed racing official at a thoroughbred racing meeting.
3.1.1.2 He is a person of good moral character and unblemished reputation.
3.2 Appointment of Stewards:
3.2.1 There shall be three Stewards at each race meeting, each of whom shall be appointed by the Commission. If required by the Commission, biographical data setting out the experience and qualifications of the nominees shall be provided to the Commission by the Licensee. No Steward shall serve until approved by the Commission.
3.2.2 Stewards shall serve during the period of the Meeting as required by the Commission.
7 DE Reg. 316 (9/1/03)
3.2.3 Stewards may be replaced by the Commission at any time for failure to perform their duties properly and diligently;
3.2.4 In the event that during a racing meet a Steward becomes ill, resigns, or is unable to serve for any reason, then the remaining Stewards, after obtaining approval of the Commission, shall nominate a successor or temporary Steward to the Commission for approval. In emergencies, a single Commissioner by telephone may approve appointment of a successor Steward.
3.3 General Powers of the Stewards
3.3.1 The Stewards shall exercise immediate supervision, control and regulation of racing at the race meeting for which they are appointed. By way of illustration and without in any way limiting them, the powers of the Stewards shall include:
3.3.2 Authority over all horses and all persons (except members of the Commission and its representatives, and except Licensee's management personnel and staff) on Licensee's grounds during a race meeting as to all matters relating to racing;
3.3.3 To determine all questions, disputes, protests, complaints, or objections concerning racing (as distinguished from Licensee's business operations and affairs) which arise during a race meeting, and to enforce such determinations. All three Stewards shall be on Licensee's grounds before post time for the first race until conclusion of the last race. Except for good cause, all three Stewards shall be present in the Stewards' stand during the running of each race;
3.3.4 It is preferred but not required that at least one Steward, or a designated representative of the Stewards, be present in the paddock at least 20 minutes before each race and remain there until the horses leave for the starting gate, to observe the conduct of all persons in and around the paddock and to inspect, with the Paddock Judge and Commission's Veterinarian, all horses for fitness;
3.3.5 When requested by the Commission, to review all applications for registrations or permits to participate in racing, and, if requested by the Commission, to administer, or cause to be administered by technically qualified persons, standard examinations to all first-time applicants to be registered as or receive a permit to be a Trainer, Jockey, Apprentice Jockey, Veterinarian, Dental Technician, or Farrier, and, when requested, make recommendations as to the qualifications of all applicants for registrations or permits to participate in racing;
3.3.6 When requested by the Commission, to review all licenses, registration certificates, and all contracts, papers, and other documents pertaining to the sale or ownership of a horse, payment of purse money, Jockey and Apprentice Jockey contracts, appointments of agents, adoptions of racing colors or stable name, and advise upon the eligibility and appropriateness thereof for participation in racing in Delaware;
3.3.7 To call for proof of eligibility of a horse or person to participate in a race if such is in question, and in the absence of sufficient proof to establish eligibility, the Stewards may rule such horse or person ineligible;
3.3.8 To review stall applications and advise Licensee of undesirable persons, if any, among Owners and Trainers applying for stalls, and provide the Licensee with information pertaining to such undesirable persons;
3.3.9 To supervise the taking of entries and receive all declarations and scratches, and determine all questions arising and pertaining to same. The Stewards may in their discretion refuse the entry of any horse by any person or refuse to permit a declaration or scratch, or may limit entries in any way. Upon suspicion of fraud or misconduct, the Stewards may excuse a horse or replace any Jockey or Trainer, or Racing Official other than a Steward;
3.3.10 All other powers enumerated in these Rules, together with such other powers as are necessary to promote and maintain stringent standards for honesty, integrity, and propriety for Thoroughbred Racing in Delaware.
3.4 Duties and Responsibilities of Stewards:
3.4.1 In addition to the duties and responsibilities necessary and pertinent to the general supervision, control and regulation of race meetings, and without limiting the authority of the Stewards to perform the same and other duties enumerated in these Rules, the Stewards shall have the following specific duties and responsibilities:
3.4.1.1 To take cognizance of all misconduct or Rule infractions irrespective of whether complained of; to cause investigations to be made of all instances of possible Rule infractions; and to take such action as the Stewards may deem necessary to prevent a Rule infraction;
3.4.1.2 At least one Steward, or his designated representative, shall be on Licensee's grounds from scratch time (or if not a racing day, when entries are first taken) until entries are closed. At least one Steward shall be present for the regular showing of racing films or video tapes.
3.4.1.3 To suspend or revoke the registration or permit of a participant in racing, or eject or exclude from Licensee's grounds or any part thereof any person, whether a registrant or permittee or not, upon reasonable belief that a violation of these Rules has or is about to occur;
3.4.1.4 To interpret and enforce these Rules, and to determine all questions pertaining to a racing matter not specifically covered by these Rules in conformity with justice and the customs of the turf;
3.4.1.5 To issue decisions or rulings pertaining to racing which shall, if the Stewards deem proper, vary any arrangement for the conduct of a race meeting, to include without limiting thereby, postponing a race, or canceling a race, ruling a race run as "no contest", or the like;
3.4.1.6 To request and receive assistance from the Commission, Racing Officials, members of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, track security police, state or local police, in the investigation of possible Rule infractions;
3.4.1.7 To conduct hearings on all questions concerning racing matters;
3.4.1.8 In the event a regularly named Jockey or Trainer or Racing Official other than a Steward is unable for any reason to perform, the Stewards may select a substitute therefor.
3.4.1.9 To see that all pari-mutuel betting machines are locked not later than the commencement of the race; to cause the "Inquiry" sign to be posted on the infield odds board as promptly as possible after the horses have crossed the finish line in a race if any doubt is held by a Steward or Patrol Judge as to the fairness of the running of such race; to cause the "Objection" sign to be posted on the infield odds board upon the lodging of same; to cause the "Official" sign to be posted on the infield odds board after determining the official order of finish for purposes of pari-mutuel payoff;
3.4.1.10 To review the patrol films or video tapes of each day's races before commencement of the successive day's races, and to draw up a list of riders (including all Apprentice Jockeys) whom the Stewards feel should review such films for instructional purposes and cause same to be posted in the Jockey's Room; the Patrol Judges shall assist in making up the film list and attend all film showings whenever their other duties permit;
3.4.1.11 To maintain a daily log, reporting all actions taken by the Stewards on all controversies which arise during the day, such report to show name of track, date, weather, track conditions, claims, results of blood, saliva or urine tests to the extent available, rulings issued, and any other circumstances or condition regarded as unusual, such reports to be signed by all Stewards participating in such action and filed within 24 hours at such place as the Commission may designate;
3.4.1.12 To make periodic inspections of the barn area and check track security; to make occasional, informal visits to the Jockeys' Room and observe weighing out and check security; such inspections and observations so made shall be noted in the Stewards' Report;
3.4.1.13 To maintain a Minute Book which shall contain a detailed written record of all questions, disputes, protests, complaints or objections brought to the attention of the Stewards, summary of interviews taken thereon, reports of investigations thereon, together with rulings issued thereon; if a ruling is not unanimous, the dissenting Steward shall record his or her reasons for such dissent; such Stewards' Minute Book shall be available to the Commission for inspection at all times, but shall not be open to public inspection;
3.4.1.14 When requested to do so, the Stewards shall submit to the Commission a written report setting out the condition of the meeting and Licensee's grounds, together with any recommendation for the improvement thereof which they may deem appropriate.
3.4.1.15 To impose fines upon any corporation, association or person participating in any Thoroughbred horse race meet at which pari-mutual wagering is conducted, other than as a patron, and whether licensed or not by the Commission, for a violation of any provision of 3 Del.C. Ch. 101 or these Rules and Regulations.
3.4.1.16 The Stewards may not impose a fine in excess of $2500.00. If it is at any time deemed appropriate that a larger fine should be imposed, the Stewards shall so recommend to the Commission and shall refer the matter at hand forthwith to the Commission. The Stewards shall have the power to refer any matter before them to the Commission at any time if it appears proper because of the complexity, severity, uniqueness or extent of the activities involved or likely to be involved. Included within these powers is the authority to impose partial sanctions, such as a conditional limitation on any person's use of facilities or of the enclosure.
3.4.1.17 In suspensions of jockeys for any offense other than an offense involving fraud, the:
3.4.1.17.1 Effective date of the suspension is determined at the discretion of the stewards; and
3.4.1.17.2 Jockeys serving a suspension of ten days or less are permitted to ride in a designated race during the period of a suspension if the:
3.4.1.17.2.1 Race is a stakes race with a purse of $25,000 or more;
3.4.1.17.2.2 Jockey is named not later than at the time set for the close of entries for the race; and
3.4.1.17.2.3 Jockey agrees to serve an additional day of suspension in place of the day in which the jockey rides in a designated race.
Revised 10/20/93
Revised 5/26/93
2 DE Reg. 2042 (5/1/99)
4 DE Reg. 174 (7/1/00)
4.1 Racing Officials
4.1.1 The Commission may appoint such officers, clerks, stenographers, inspectors, racing officials, veterinarians, and such other employees as it deems necessary, consistent with the purposes of this chapter. The Commission, for the purpose of maintaining the integrity and honesty in racing, shall prescribe by administrative regulation the powers and duties of the persons employed under this section and qualifications necessary to perform those duties.
4.1.2 Persons appointed by the Licensee to serve as Racing Officials during a race meeting must first be approved by the Commission, shall serve only so long as approved by the Commission, and shall be under the supervision of the Stewards. For purposes of these Rules, Racing Officials shall include those persons serving as Steward, Racing Secretary, Assistant Racing Secretary, Clerk of the Scales, Paddock Judge, Starter, Patrol Judge, Placing Judge, Timer, and Identifier.
4.1.2.1 No person while serving as a Racing Official shall, directly or indirectly, own a beneficial interest in a Thoroughbred, or Jockey contract, or Licensee under his supervision; nor shall he cause to be sold, for himself or another, any Thoroughbred under his supervision; nor shall he wager on any race under his supervision; nor shall he write or solicit horse insurance or have any monetary interest in any business which seeks the patronage of horsemen or racing associates as such. For the purposes of the above, the following employees shall also be deemed Racing Officials: Assistant Starter, Jockey Room Custodian, Jockey Room Employees, Valets, Outriders.
4.1.2.2 No person shall be appointed to or hold any such office or position who holds any official relation to any person, association, or corporation engaged in or conducting thoroughbred racing within this state. No Commissioner, racing official, steward, or judge whose duty it is to insure that the rules and regulations of the Commission are complied with shall bet on the outcome of any race regulated by the Commission. All persons appointed under 3 Del.C. §10107(a-c) shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission and are to be paid a reasonable compensation.
4.1.3 Racing Officials serving in the capacity of Stewards, Placing and/or Patrol Judges, Clerk of Scales, Starter and Horse Identifier shall have good vision and an ability to distinguish colors correctly.
4.1.4 Any Racing Official who desires to leave his employment during the race meeting must first obtain permission from the Commission; in the event a vacancy occurs among Racing Officials other than Stewards, the Licensee shall promptly appoint a successor, subject to approval of the Commission; in the event the Licensee does not appoint a successor in time to permit the orderly conduct of racing, then the Stewards shall immediately appoint a temporary successor.
4.2 Racing Secretary
4.2.1 The Racing Secretary shall be responsible for the programming of races during the race meeting, compiling and publishing condition books, assigning weights for handicap races, and shall receive all entries, subscriptions, declarations, and scratches. Among the duties for which the Racing Secretary and his staff are responsible are:
4.2.1.1 Safekeeping of registration certificates and racing permits for horses, recording information required thereon, and returning the same to Owners at the conclusion of the race meeting;
4.2.1.2 Maintaining a record of all stakes fees received, and all arrears, Jockeys' fees, purchase money in claiming races, and all other monies received incident to the race meeting and pay over same to the persons entitled thereto within 14 days after the race meeting is concluded;
4.2.1.3 Daily posting of entries for the benefit of the public as soon as possible after the entries have been closed and declarations have been made;
4.2.1.4 To assign stall applicants such stabling as he may deem proper and to maintain a record of the arrival and departure of all horses stabled on Licensee's grounds;
4.2.1.5 To publish the official daily program, insuring the accuracy therein of the following information:
4.2.1.5.1 Sequence of races to be run and post time for the first race;
4.2.1.5.2 Purse conditions, and distance for each race, and current track record for such distances;
4.2.1.5.3 The name of registered Owners or Lessees of each horse and description of racing colors to be carried;
4.2.1.5.4 The name of the Trainer and the name of the Jockey named for each horse, together with the weight to be carried;
4.2.1.5.5 The saddle cloth number or designation for each horse and the post position for each horse if there is a variance with the saddle cloth designation;
4.2.1.5.6 Identification of each horse by name, color, sex, age, sire and dam; and
4.2.1.5.7 Such other information as may be requested from time to time by the Licensee or the Commission.
4.3 Clerk of the Scales:
4.3.1 One Racing Official shall serve as Clerk of the Scales who shall be responsible for the security, regulation and control of the Jockeys' Room, the equipment therein, and personnel permitted access thereto. Among the duties for which the Clerk of the Scales is responsible are:
4.3.1.1 Weighing out every Jockey no later than 15 minutes prior to the race the Jockey is scheduled to ride and recording all overweights which shall immediately be posted and announced to the public before each race;
4.3.1.2 Weighing in every Jockey immediately after the finish of each race and promptly notifying the Stewards whether any Jockey weighed in more than two pounds underweight;
4.3.1.3 Safekeeping of all racing colors;
4.3.1.4 Reporting all color changes or Jockey changes from those listed in the official daily program, and causing such to be posted and announced to the public before each race;
4.3.1.5 Supervision of all valets and the issuance of numbered saddle cloths and equipment for each horse;
4.3.1.6 Accuracy of the scales and periodic tests thereof;
4.3.1.7 Submitting to the Racing Secretary at the close of each racing day a statement of weight carried in each race by each Jockey, noting overweight, if any;
4.3.1.8 All complaints, protests, objections, or disputes submitted to the Clerk of the Scales will be transmitted immediately to the Stewards.
4.4 Paddock Judge:
4.4.1 One Racing Official shall serve as Paddock Judge who shall have general supervision of the paddock and be responsible for:
4.4.1.1 Assembling the horses and jockeys in the paddock no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled post time for each race;
4.4.1.2 Proper identification of all horses entered in each race. The track horse identifier shall be under the supervision of the Paddock Judge;
4.4.1.3 Maintaining a written record of all equipment and inspecting all equipment of each horse saddled and reporting any change thereof to the Stewards;
4.4.1.4 Inspection of bandages of a horse; the Paddock Judge may order such bandages removed or replaced;
4.4.1.5 Paddock schooling of all horses approved for such by the Stewards;
4.4.1.6 Taking such measures as to insure that the saddling of all horses is orderly, open to public view, free from interference, and that horses are mounted at the same time, and leave the paddock for the post in proper sequence.
4.5 Starters
4.5.1 The Starter shall be responsible for the fair and equal start of all horses in a race at the scheduled starting time by means of a starting gate and bell or other device activated by his signal. So far as practical, the Starter shall cause all horses to be loaded in order of post position, but the Starter may in his discretion load an unruly or fractious horse out of order or may start such unruly or fractious horse on the outside of the starting gate and one length behind the starting line. By permission of the Stewards, a race may be started without a starting gate. The Starter may employ such Assistant Starters as he may deem necessary.
4.5.1.1 No horse shall be permitted to start in a race unless approval is given by the Starter. The Starter may maintain a Schooling List which shall be posted in the Racing Secretary's office listing the names of all horses ineligible to start for want of adequate training leaving the gate. Horses shall be schooled under the supervision of the Starter or his assistants.
4.5.1.2 The Starter shall report to the Stewards any disobedience of his orders or attempts to take unfair advantage at the starting gate and, in addition to imposing a fine not to exceed $50.00, may also recommend additional penalties for offenders.
4.5.1.3 No Assistant Starter shall handle a horse until instructed to do so by the Starter. No Assistant Starter shall strike or use abusive language to a Jockey.
4.5.1.4 No Starter or Assistant Starter shall accept any gratuity or payment other than his regular salary, directly or indirectly, for services in starting a race, nor shall he wager on a race.
4.5.1.5 The Starter shall be able to have constant radio or telephone communication with the Stewards from the time the horses leave the paddock until the field is sent away.
4.6 Patrol Judges:
4.6.1 The Patrol Judges, for each race, shall take their stations at a place designated by the Stewards. They are subject to the orders of the Stewards and they shall duly report to them all of the pertinent observations in each and every race and shall file reports on same in writing, if so requested by the Stewards.
4.7 Placing Judges:
4.7.1 Placing Judges shall occupy a stand directly above the finish line during the running of each race. The Placing Judges shall take special note of racing colors and distinguishing equipment carried by each horse. The Placing Judges shall determine the order of the horses as they cross the finish line by consideration of the respective noses of such horses. The Placing Judges shall cause the numbers of the first four horses to be flashed on the Result Board. Except for a good cause, a photo-finish camera shall be used as an aid by the Placing Judges in determining the order of the horses as they cross the finish line. Placing Judges may request a photo to assist in determining margins of less than a half-length.
4.8 Timer:
4.8.1 A Racing Official shall serve as Timer who shall occupy a stand directly above the finish line during the running of each race and record the official time thereof. The Timer shall record the fractional time of leading horses during each race and the final time of the first horse to cross the finish line. An electrical or mechanical timing device may be used as an aid by the Timer in determining the official time of each race. The Timer shall maintain a written record of fractional and finish times of each race and file such with the Racing Secretary at the close of each racing day.
4.9 Investigator:
4.9.1 The Commission may appoint a racing inspector or investigator for each thoroughbred racing meet. Such racing inspector shall perform all duties prescribed by the Commission consistent with the purposes of Title 3, Chapter 101. Such racing inspector shall have full and free access to the books, records, and papers pertaining to the pari-mutuel system of wagering and to the enclosure or space where the pari-mutuel system is conducted at any thoroughbred racing meeting to which he shall be assigned for the purposes of ascertaining whether the holder of such permit is operating in compliance with the Commission's rules and regulations. The racing inspector shall investigate whether such rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission are being violated at such Thoroughbred racetrack or enclosure by any licensee, patron, or other person. Upon discovering any such violations, the racing inspector shall immediately report his or her findings in writing and under oath to the Commission or its designee as it may deem fitting and proper. The racing inspector shall devote his full time to the duties of his office and shall not hold any other position or employment except for performance of similar duties for the Harness Racing Commission.
4.10 Administrator of Racing:
4.10.1 The Commission may employ an Administrator of Racing who shall perform all duties prescribed by the Commission consistent with the purposes of this chapter. The Administrator of Racing shall devote his full time to the duties of the office and shall not hold any other office or employment, except that he can perform the same duties as Administrator of Racing for the Harness Racing Commission. The Administrator of Racing shall be the representative for the Commission at all meetings of the Commission and shall keep a complete record of its proceedings and preserve, at its general office, all books, maps, documents, and papers entrusted to its care. He shall be the executive officer of the Commission and shall be responsible for keeping all Commission records and carrying out the rules and orders of the Commission. The Commission may appoint the Administrator of Racing to act as a hearing officer to hear appeals from administrative decisions of the stewards.
2 DE Reg. 2041 (5/1/99)
4 DE Reg. 174 (7/1/00)
5.1 License to Conduct Racing for Stake, Purse or Reward:
5.1.1 No person shall hold or conduct any meeting within Delaware at which horse racing is permitted for any stake, purse or reward, unless such person is licensed by the Commission.
5.2 Application; Rejection; Award of Dates and Maximum Racing Days:
5.2.1 Any person desiring to conduct a racing meet within Delaware during any calendar year shall apply to the Commission for a license to do so. The application shall be filed with the Secretary of the Commission on or before a day to be fixed by the Commission. The application shall specify the days on which racing is desired to be conducted or held and shall be in such form and supply such data and information, including a blueprint of the track and specifications of its surface and blueprints and specifications of buildings and grandstand on the land of the applicant where the meeting is to be conducted, as the Commission prescribes. The blueprints and specifications shall be subject to the approval of the Commission, which, at the expense of the applicant, may order such engineering examination thereof as the Commission deems necessary. The erection and construction of the track, grandstand and buildings of any applicant for a license to conduct racing in Delaware shall be subject to the inspection of the Commission which, at the expense of the applicant, may employ such inspectors as it considers necessary for that purpose.
5.2.2 No license shall be issued by the Commission for flat racing in New Castle or Sussex Counties on a track less than one mile in circumference or in Kent County on a track less than five-eighths of a mile or for steeplechase racing in the infield of a track less than one mile in circumference. The Commission may reject any application for a license for any cause which it deems sufficient and the action of the Commission shall be final.
5.2.3 With respect to horse racing in New Castle and Sussex Counties, the Commission shall, upon application to it, and on or before the first Tuesday in February of each year, award dates for racing within those respective counties for the current year. The dates so awarded for racing to be conducted in any one county shall not exceed 340 days in the aggregate in which racing will be conducted in either such counties, and the decision of the Commission on the award of dates shall be final provided, however, that the Commission may award additional dates, beyond any limits prescribed elsewhere, for racing days limited exclusively to the receiving and accepting of wagers or bets on electronically televised simulcasts of horse races. Dates awarded in any one county shall be used by the licensee in that county for racing in that county only.
5.2.4 No more than two racing meets shall be held in any one county in any one year.
5.2.5 The Commission may meet subsequent to the first Tuesday of February of each year and award dates for racing within the limits provided in Rules 5.2.3 and 5.2.4 on an application submitted to it, provided the days so awarded in no way conflict with any provision of Chapter 101 of Title 3 of the Delaware Code.
5.2.6 With respect to horse racing in Kent County, the Commission shall, on or before the 15th day of January of each year, award all dates for horse racing in Kent County within the current year, but the dates so awarded shall not exceed 55 days in the aggregate. The decision of the Commission on the award of all dates shall be final.
5.2.7 No more than two horse racing meetings shall be held in Kent County in any one year.
5.2.8 The Commission may meet subsequent to the 15th day of January of each year and award dates for horse racing within the limits provided in Rules 5.2.6 and 5.2.7 on an application submitted to it, provided that the days so awarded in no way conflict with any provision of Chapter 101 of Title 3 of the Delaware Code.
5.2.9 No license to conduct horse racing in Kent County shall be granted except to a Delaware private stock corporation managed by not less than five directors and having an office in Delaware only, as required by statute.
5.3 Application Fee and License Fee:
5.3.1 Any person, upon applying to the Commission for a license to conduct a racing meet within New Castle or Sussex Counties during any calendar year shall, at the time of making the application, pay to the Secretary of Finance of Delaware a fee of $3,000.00 or $500.00 if to conduct a racing meet in Kent County.
5.3.2 Any person who is granted a license by the Commission to conduct a racing meet within New Castle and Sussex Counties during any calendar year, shall, at the time the license is granted, pay to the Secretary of Finance of Delaware an additional fee of $2,000.00 or $250.00 if to conduct a racing meet in Kent County.
5.4 Issuance:
5.4.1 Upon the award of days to any applicant, the Commission shall issue a license for the holding of the meet or meets during the days awarded to the applicant.
5.4.2 The license shall be subject to all rights, regulations and conditions from time to time prescribed by the Commission.
5.5 Suspension or Revocation Appeal:
5.5.1 Any license issued by the Commission shall be subject to suspension or revocation by the Commission for any cause whatsoever which the Commission may deem sufficient.
5.5.2 If any license is suspended or revoked, the Commission shall state publicly its reasons for so doing and cause an entry of the reasons to be made on the minute book of the Commission, and its action shall be final.
5.5.3 The propriety of the action taken by the Commission shall be subject to review, upon questions of law only, by the Superior Court of the county within which the license was granted. The action of the Commission shall stand unless and until reversed by the Court.
5.6 Inspection of Racing Premises Prior to Use:
5.6.1 No less than five days prior to the opening of any meet authorized by the Commission, the Commission, at the expense of the Licensee for the meet, shall cause to be made an inspection of the track, grandstand and buildings where the meet is to be held and, unless the track, grandstand and buildings are found to be safe for animals and persons or are rendered safe therefor prior to the opening of the meet, the license for the meet shall be withdrawn.
5.7 Rules, Regulations and Special Powers of Commission:
5.7.1 The Commission may make rules governing, restricting or regulating the rate or charge of a Licensee for admission, or for the performance of any service, or the sale of any article on the premises of a Licensee.
5.7.2 All proposed extensions, additions or improvements to the buildings, stables or improvements on tracks or property owned or leased by a Licensee under these Rules, shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.
5.7.3 The Commission may compel the production of any and all books, memoranda or documents showing the receipts and disbursements of any person licensed under the provisions of these Rules to conduct racing meets.
5.7.4 The Commission may at any time require the removal of any employee or official employed by any Licensee hereunder.
5.7.5 The Commission may require that the books, records, and financial or other statements of any Licensee shall be kept in such form or in such manner as the Commission prescribes. The Commission may visit, investigate and place expert accountants and such other persons as it deems necessary in the offices, tracks or places of business of any such Licensee, for the purpose of satisfying itself that the Commission's rules and regulations are strictly complied with. The salaries and expenses of such expert accountants or other persons shall be paid by the Licensee to whom they are assigned.
5.7.6 The Commission may issue, under the hand of its Chairman and the seal of the Commission, subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers and documents, before the Commission, and may administer oaths or affirmations to the
witnesses whenever in the judgment of the Commission it may be necessary for the effectual discharge of its duties.
5.7.7 If any person refuses to obey any subpoena, or to testify, or to produce any books, papers and documents, then any Commissioner may apply to the Superior Court of the county in which he or the Commission may be sitting and, thereupon, the Court shall issue its subpoena requiring the person to appear and to testify, or to produce any books, papers or documents.
5.7.8 Whoever fails to obey or refuses to obey a subpoena of the Superior Court shall be guilty of contempt of court and shall be punished accordingly.
5.7.9 False swearing on the part of any witness shall be deemed perjury and shall be punished as such.
5.8 Licensee's Annual Financial Statement:
5.8.1 Every Licensee shall file with the Commission not later than four months after the close of its fiscal year a statement, duly certified by an independent public accountant, of its receipts from all sources whatsoever during such fiscal year and all expenses and disbursements, itemized in the manner and form directed by the Commission, showing the net revenue from all sources derived by the Licensee during the fiscal year covered by such statement.
5.9 Corporate Licensee-Identity of Individual Owners:
5.9.1 Every Licensee other than an individual shall keep the Commission informed at all times of the identity, address, and occupation of every individual who has any ownership interest or other financial interest whatever in Licensee and its subsidiaries, parent corporations, affiliates, or any other related entity of any sort.
5.10 Individual Licensee-Identity of Associates:
5.10.1 Every individual Licensee shall keep the Commission informed at all times of the identity, address and occupation of every other individual: (1) with whom he is associated in any business; or (2) with whom he has any understanding or arrangement by which such other individual has any interest in the license he holds from the Commission to conduct racing in Delaware.
5.11 Maintenance of grounds, facilities and uniform track:
5.11.1 Each Licensee shall at all times maintain its grounds and facilities so as to be neat and clean, painted and in good repair. Licensee also shall have adequate and proper implements to maintain a uniform track, weather conditions permitting.
5.12 Result Boards, Totalizators Required:
5.12.1 Except for good cause, each Licensee shall provide and maintain mechanically operated totalizators and electronic boards showing odds, results and other race information located in plain view of patrons.
5.13 Starting Gate:
5.13.1 Each Licensee shall provide and maintain a working starting gate on every day horses are permitted by it to use said gate for schooling. Each Licensee shall have in attendance one or more men qualified to keep said starting gates in good working order whenever said gates are in use and each Licensee shall provide for periodic inspections of said gates.
5.14 Stabling:
5.14.1 Each Licensee shall be responsible for providing and maintaining its barns and stalls in good repair. Each barn and each stall shall be numbered in such fashion as will permit ready ascertainment of location and identification, and adequate drainage therefor shall be maintained.
5.14.2 Upon removing his horses from Licensee's barns and stalls, each Trainer shall be responsible for leaving the stalls used by him and his employees for horses under his care in a state of proper repair and in a clean and sanitary condition, subject to reasonable wear and tear. To the extent he neglects or fails to do so, he may be charged by Licensee for any expenses occasioned thereby.
5.15 Stands for Officials:
5.15.1 Each Licensee shall provide and maintain stands commanding an uninterrupted view of appropriate sectors of the racing strip for Racing Officials, such stands and location thereof to be approved by the Commission.
5.16 Distance Pole Markings:
5.16.1 Each Licensee shall cause quarter, eighth and sixteenth poles to be painted in appropriate distinguishing colors.
5.17 Facilities for Stable Employees:
5.17.1 Each Licensee shall provide and maintain in good repair adequate living quarters and conveniently located sanitary facilities such as showers, toilets and wash basins for stable employees. No person is authorized to sleep in any stall.
5.18 Facilities for Jockeys:
5.18.1 Each Licensee shall provide and maintain adequate facilities for Jockeys scheduled to ride each day, such facilities to include accommodations for the repose of Jockeys on racing days, showers, toilets, wash basins, mirrors and other accommodations as reasonably requested by the Clerk of Scales.
5.19 Sanitary Facilities for Patrons:
5.19.1 Each Licensee shall, on every racing day, provide adequate and sanitary toilets and wash rooms, and furnish free drinking water for patrons and persons having business at Licensee's premises.
5.20 Photo-finish Cameras:
5.20.1 Each Licensee shall provide and maintain at the finish line two photo-finish cameras for photographing the finish of races. The photo-finish photographer shall promptly furnish to the Stewards and Placing Judges prints of all finishes as may be requested by them. He also shall promptly furnish to the Licensee such number of prints as it may request for public display or otherwise.
5.21 Patrol Films or Video Tapes:
5.21.1 Each Licensee shall at all times during a race meeting provide and maintain personnel and equipment necessary to produce adequate motion pictures or video tapes, and record with same each race from start to finish.
5.21.1.1 Projection or viewing equipment shall be adequate to permit simultaneous showing of head-on and side-angle views of the running of each race.
5.21.1.2 Such films or video tapes shall be available to the Commission and Stewards for a reasonable time. Upon order of the Stewards, any such visual record of a race involving any question, dispute or controversy shall be filed with the Commission.
5.22 Ambulance
5.22.1 Each Licensee shall provide and maintain at least one ambulance for humans and at least one ambulance for horses during times horses are permitted to exercise or race.
5.23 First Aid Room:
5.23.1 Each Licensee shall equip and maintain adequate first-aid facilities with not less than two beds.
5.24 Track Kitchen:
5.24.1 During a race meeting, each Licensee shall provide eating facilities within the stable area, maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
5.2 Communication System:
5.25.1 Each Licensee shall install and maintain, in good working service, communication systems between the Stewards' stand and Patrol Judge, Placing Judges, pari-mutuel department, starting gate, public address announcer and Clerk of the Scales.
5.26 Fire Prevention:
5.26.1 Each Licensee shall maintain a program for fire prevention and fire suppression and a fire-fighting unit of trained personnel equipped with high-expansion foam fire extinguishers and other equipment as may be recommended by the local fire inspection authority. Each Licensee shall prohibit:
5.26.1.1 Smoking in stalls, under shed rows and in feed rooms;
5.26.1.2 Open fires, oil or gas lamps in stable areas; and
5.26.1.3 Locking of stalls occupied by horses.
5.27 Communications from Licensee's Premises:
5.27.1 No person shall transmit or disseminate wagering information in violation of 18 U.S.C.A. §1084 or 11 Del.C. §1411, as now constituted or as hereafter amended.
Revised 1/6/92
5.28 Licensee's Police:
5.28.1 During a racing meet each Licensee shall provide and maintain, or arrange for, competent police and watchman services, night and day, in and about its grounds.
5.29 Security:
5.29.1 Each Licensee shall cause to be excluded from its grounds all persons designated by order of the Commission or Stewards to be excluded. This Rule shall not derogate from Licensee's absolute right on its own volition to exclude persons as provided in the next Rule.
5.30 Ejection or Exclusion from Licensee's Grounds; Fingerprints:
5.30.1 Licensee may eject or exclude any person from its grounds, or any part thereof, solely of its own volition and without any reason or excuse given therefor, provided that such ejection or exclusion is not based upon sex, race, creed, color, or national origin.
5.30.2 Any person who enters Licensee's grounds must, if Licensee requests, submit to having his or her fingerprints and photograph taken, for which Licensee may charge a reasonable fee to defray its costs therefor.
5.31 Outriders:
5.31.1 Each Licensee shall employ at least two Outriders to escort starters to the post and to assist in returning all horses to the unsaddling area. Each Licensee shall insure that Outriders are neat and clean in appearance and shall wear traditional apparel. Outriders shall be required to be present on the racing strip, mounted, and ready to assist in the control of any unruly horse or to recapture any loose horse at all times that horses are on the racing strip for racing.
5.32 Commission's Veterinarian:
5.32.1 The Commission will employ a graduate Veterinarian, licensed in Delaware, experienced in equine medicine and practice who, aided by such Assistant Veterinarians possessing like qualifications, shall be responsible for inspecting all horses entered and advising upon their racing soundness. Such Veterinarian also shall maintain and post in the Racing Secretary's office a Veterinarian's list of horses ineligible to race because of sickness or unsoundness. Additionally, he shall supervise the following: control of communicable equine diseases; insect control; sanitary conditions in the stable area; and cruel and inhumane treatment of horses, etc.
5.32.2 The Commission's Veterinarian shall be attendant on the Stewards and the Racing Secretary at scratch time each day, shall examine such horses as such Racing Officials may request, and shall make reports to such Racing Officials as promptly as possible;
5.32.3 The Commission's Veterinarian also shall be responsible for inspecting every horse entered on the day of the race for which such horse is entered. Such inspection shall be for physical fitness, general condition and for any noticeable unsoundness or peculiarities that may affect the racing condition of the horse, or be considered for the scratch of a horse on a muddy or sloppy track. Such pre-race examinations shall be recorded on a Health Record for every starter at the race meeting.
5.32.4 The Commission's Veterinarian shall be present in the paddock for saddling, shall accompany each field to the starting post, and shall observe all horses after the finish of each race. If, in his opinion, a horse suffers an injury while in the paddock, during the post parade, or at the starting gate, which shall render such horse unfit to race, he shall recommend to the Stewards that the horse be excused and placed on the Veterinarian's List. All horses requested to be scratched for physical reasons after scratch time shall be inspected by the Commission's Veterinarian who shall report the condition of such horses to the Stewards.
5.32.5 No Commission's Veterinarian during his employment shall be permitted to engage in private veterinary practice involving Thoroughbreds, nor be employed by or receive any compensation directly or indirectly from any licensed Owner or Trainer, nor sell or buy, for himself or another, any Thoroughbred, nor place any wager in any manner on any race run at Licensee's premises, nor sell any drug supplies, nor sell horse insurance, nor be licensed to participate in racing in any other capacity.
5.33 Horse Identifier:
5.33.1 Each Licensee shall employ one or more persons to be charged with the responsibility of proper identification of all horses entered to be raced. A Horse Identifier may accompany the Commission's Veterinarian on the pre-race examination of all starters. Every starter shall be examined in the paddock by a Horse Identifier for sex, age, color, markings and lip tattoo, for comparison with its registration certificate. Photographs may be used as an aid in identification. If a Horse Identifier has any doubt as to the identity of a horse entered to be raced, the Horse Identifier shall so notify the Paddock Judge and the Stewards.
5.34 Valets:
5.34.1 Each Licensee shall employ a sufficient number of persons as Valets to attend each individual rider on a day's racing program. Such Valets shall be under the immediate supervision and control of the Clerk of Scales. No rider shall employ a Valet or be attended by any person other than the Valet assigned to him by the Clerk of Scales. Valets shall be responsible for the care and cleaning of his assigned rider's apparel and equipment, shall insure his rider has the proper equipment and colors for each race, shall present the proper equipment and attend the saddling of his rider's mount, and shall attend the weighing out of his rider. No Valet or other Jockey room attendant may place a wager for himself or another, directly or indirectly, on races run while he is serving as a Valet. Each Licensee shall provide uniform attire for Valets who shall wear same at all times while performing their duties within public view.
5.35 Horsemen's Bookkeeper:
5.35.1 Each Licensee shall maintain a separate bank account from which payments of all money owing to horsemen in regard to purses, stakes, rewards, claims and deposits shall be made. Withdrawals from this account shall at all times be subject to audit by the Commission.
5.35.2 All portions of purse money shall be made available to earners thereof forty-eight (48) hours after the result of the race in which such money was earned has been declared official, contingent upon receipt from the Official Chemists of the results of their testing of samples taken, except, however, when the Stewards shall order money withheld until final adjudication of a dispute determining which persons are entitled to such money in dispute.
5.36 Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau:
5.36.1 The Commission approves and commends the work of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau to safeguard Thoroughbred racing in the United States from illegal and improper influences and authorizes any Licensee under these Rules to utilize its services and facilities and to rely upon its investigations, reports and advice respecting security matters without incurring any liability to any person or entity for doing so.
4 DE Reg. 179 (7/1/00)
6.1 Registration Required:
6.1.1 No horse may be entered or raced in Delaware unless the Owner or each of the part Owners has been granted a current Owner's registration by the Commission, except that for good cause shown, a temporary registration may be issued which will be valid for entering and racing pending administrative processing and final action by the Commission on such Owner's registration application, but in no event shall such temporary registration be considered valid longer than two weeks subsequent to the date such registration application was submitted.
6.2 Requirements for Owner's Registration:
6.2.1 In addition to satisfying the requirements applicable to Permittee, et al., imposed by Rule 2.0, in order to be eligible for registration as an Owner, a person also:
6.2.1.1 Must be an individual 18 years of age or older.
6.2.1.2 All Owners and Trainers shall carry workmen's compensation insurance covering all their employees. This paragraph is intended to include all individuals employed by Owners and Trainers in the training and racing of horses.
6.2.1.3 Must own or have under lease a horse eligible to race and be prepared to prove such upon call of the Stewards.
6.2.1.4 Must not engage in any activity directly or indirectly involving the racing performance of horses on Licensee's grounds owned and trained by others.
6.2.1.4.1 The Commission or its designee, may deny, suspend or revoke an Owner's registration for the spouse, or any member of the immediate family or household, of a person ineligible to be registered as an Owner, unless there is a showing by the applicant or registered Owner, and the Commission so finds, that his participation in racing as an Owner will in no way circumvent the intent of this Rule by permitting a person, under the control or direction of a person ineligible for an Owner's registration, to serve in effect as the alter ego of such ineligible person.
6.2.1.4.2 A registered Owner or Trainer may personally serve as a Farrier or Jockey for horses he owns or are registered in his care, provided he has received from the Stewards a certification of his fitness as a competent Farrier or Jockey.
6.2.1.5 All owners must first secure the services of a Trainer licensed by the Commission before any horse owned by the individual or a partnership may be entered to race at a meet licensed by the Commission.
6.3 Ownership Disclosure:
6.3.1 Registered Owners and Trainers shall be held jointly responsible for making a full disclosure of the entire ownership of each horse in their care.
6.3.2 Such disclosure shall identify in writing all individual persons who directly, or indirectly, through a lien, lease, partnership, corporate stockholding, syndication or other joint venture, hold any present or reversionary right, title or interest in and to such horse, and those individual persons who by virtue of any form of interest might exercise control over such horse or can benefit from the racing of such horse; the degree and type of such ownership held by each individual person shall be designated.
6.3.3 Such disclosure shall be made when registering each horse with the Racing Secretary upon arrival on Licensee's grounds, or at time of entry, whichever event occurs first, and shall be revised immediately upon any subsequent change in such ownership.
6.3.4 Such disclosure together with all written agreements and affidavits setting out oral agreements pertaining to the ownership of or rights in and to a horse shall be attached to the registration certificate for such horse and filed with the Racing Secretary who shall be responsible for the care and security of such papers while such horse is located on Licensee's grounds.
6.3.5 Such disclosure is made for the benefit of the public and all documents pertaining to the ownership or lease of a horse filed with the Racing Secretary shall be available for public inspection.
6.3.6 The Stewards shall review the ownership of each horse entered to race and insure that each registration certificate is properly endorsed by the transferor to the present Owner. For racing purposes, the Stewards may determine the validity of all leases, transfers, and agreements pertaining to the ownership of a horse and may call for adequate evidence of ownership at any time. The Stewards may declare any horse ineligible to race if the ownership or control of such horse is in question.
6.4 Joint Ownership:
6.4.1 No more than four individual persons may be registered as Owners of a single horse.
6.4.2 In the event more than four individual persons own interests in a single horse, through a partnership, corporation, syndication or other joint venture, then such individual persons may designate in writing a member of the partnership, corporation, syndicate or joint venture to represent the entire ownership of and be responsible for such horse as the registered Owner thereof.
6.4.3 Such agreement or lease shall accompany the application for an Owner's registration. Each person designated as representing the entire ownership of a horse must be registered.
6.4.4 The Commission may deny, suspend or revoke the registration of any Owner whose ownership of a horse is qualified or limited in part by rights or interests in or to such horse held or controlled by any other individual person or persons ineligible to be registered as an Owner thereof.
6.5 Leases:
6.5.1 Horses may be raced under lease provided the lease agreement is annexed to the horse's registration certificate and is approved by the Stewards. The validity of a lease for the purposes of racing a horse in Delaware may be suspended temporarily or voided by the Stewards at any time. No lease may be approved by the Stewards for racing purposes unless:
6.5.1.1 Lessee is registered as an Owner;
6.5.1.2 Each of the signatures of the lessors and lessees on the lease agreement is subscribed and sworn to before a notary public;
6.5.1.3 Term of the lease is for no less than one year, unless sooner terminated by claim or retirement of the subject horse;
6.5.1.4 Conditions of the lease specify, as to parties to the lease, whether the subject horse can be entered in a race to be claimed. If agreeable to lessor that the subject horse may be entered to be claimed, conditions of the lease must specify the minimum price for which the subject horse can be entered and identify the name of the recipient of the claiming price;
6.5.1.5 Conditions of the lease specify that, upon a claim of the subject horse, the lease shall terminate and all rights in and to such horse shall pass to claimant as a bona fide purchaser;
6.5.1.6 After reviewing the full ownership of such leased horses, the interests of all persons involved in such lease, and the terms and conditions of such lease, the Stewards in their discretion find that such lease:
6.5.1.6.1 Completely divests lessors or sublessors of further control or direction of the racing performance of such horse while under lease; and
6.5.1.6.2 The resultant program listing of lessee would not mislead the betting public by reason of the absence in the program listing of the name of a person or persons possessing a beneficial interest in such leased horse.
6.6 Racing Colors:
6.6.1 Owners shall be responsible for designing and providing individual racing colors, consisting of jackets and caps of distinctive color and pattern to be worn by Jockeys during a race, such racing colors to be registered with the Licensee or its Registrar.
6.6.2 Racing colors must be registered annually, the application therefor to accompany application for an Owner's registration.
6.6.3 Registration of racing colors shall be at the discretion of Licensee. Disputes as to rights to particular racing colors shall be determined by the Commission. Licensee or its Registrar may refuse to accept for registration racing colors which:
6.6.3.1 Are not readily distinguishable by color and pattern from racing colors currently registered with Licensee or with the Jockey Club; and
6.6.3.2 Include advertising, promotional, or cartoon symbols or words or which, in the opinion of the Commission, are not in keeping with the traditions of the Turf.
6.6.3.3 No horse may be raced in racing colors other than those registered in the name of the horse's Owner without special permission of the Stewards. If an Owner races two or more horses in the same race, jackets shall be identical while caps shall be varied in color or design. Any deviation from registered colors granted by the Stewards shall be immediately announced.
6.6.3.4 Owners and Trainers shall be jointly responsible for the condition of racing colors, insuring that they are neat, clean and in good repair and that an adequate number of sets of racing colors are placed in the care of the Clerk of Scales.
6.6.3.5 The Clerk of Scales and the Valet serving a Jockey shall be jointly responsible for having the correct jacket and cap on each rider when leaving the Jockey room for the paddock.
6.6.3.6 Racing colors are not assignable and registration thereof may be cancelled upon the death of an Owner or upon the revocation or suspension of his Owner's registration.
6.7 Unauthorized Employees:
6.7.1 No Owner or Trainer may employ or contract with a person who holds no permit or authorization to perform an activity on Licensee's grounds for which a permit or authorization is required. An Owner shall immediately notify the Racing Secretary upon change of Trainer during a race meeting.
6.8 Authorized Agent:
6.8.1 A registered Owner may, as a principal, authorize any person, as an agent, to act in such Owner's behalf in all matters pertaining to racing in this State and ownership of horses on Licensee's grounds, as provided by these Rules, infra. A registered Owner, as a principal, shall be jointly liable and responsible with his Authorized Agent for all acts and omissions of such Authorized Agent, serving in such Owner's behalf in a racing matter, until written notification from such Owner revoking such agency is received by Licensee or its Registrar.
6.9 Suspension:
6.9.1 In the event the registration of an Owner is suspended or revoked, all horses owned wholly or in part by such Owner shall not be permitted to race during such suspension unless such horses are irrevocably transferred to a registered Owner and such transfer is approved by the Stewards as completely and permanently divesting such suspended former Owner of control of or benefit from the subsequent racing of such horses.
6.10 Partnerships:
6.10.1 Partnerships must be registered with Licensee or its Registrar. Partnership papers shall set forth the following:
6.10.1.1 The name and address of every person having an interest in the horse or horses involved;
6.10.1.2 The relative proportion of such interests;
6.10.1.3 To whom the winnings are payable;
6.10.1.4 In whose name the horse or horses shall run;
6.10.1.5 With whom the power of entry and declaration rests;
6.10.1.6 The terms of any contingency, lease or any other arrangement; and
6.10.1.7 The names of the horse or horses involved. Any partner transacting business on behalf of a partnership must own an interest therein at least equal to that owned by any other partner. All partnership registrations must be signed by all of the partners or by their authorized agent.
6.10.1.8 Any alteration in a recorded partnership must be reported in writing to Licensee or its Registrar and signed by all the partners or their authorized agent. All the parties in a partnership and each of them shall be jointly and severally liable for all stakes, fees and other obligations.
6.11 Duty to Pay Accounts:
6.11.1 Owners having unpaid jockey or other fees at the close of a race meeting shall be billed by Licensee within twenty (20) days of the close of the race meet with a duplicate copy of the bill to the Trainer. Such accounts shall be paid within thirty (30) days from billing date. At the expiration of the thirty (30) day period, it shall be the duty of Licensee to notify the Racing Commission or the Stewards, in writing, of all delinquent accounts, at which time all Owners with outstanding accounts will be suspended until such fees are paid. (Also, see Rule 11.12).
4 DE Reg. 174 (7/1/00)
5 DE Reg. 1694 (3/1/02)
7 DE Reg. 766 (12/1/03)
7.1 Registration Required:
7.1.1 No horse may be raced in this State unless the Trainer thereof has been granted a current Trainer's registration by the Commission.
7.2 Requirements for Trainer's Registration:
7.2.1 In addition to satisfying the requirements applicable to Permittees, et al., imposed by Rule 2.0, in order to be eligible for registration as a Trainer, a person:
7.2.1.1 Must be an individual 18 years or older; no Trainer may be licensed to train under an assumed or stable name;
7.2.1.2 Must be qualified by experience or competence to care for and train race horses;
7.2.1.3 Must have in his charge a horse eligible to race;
7.2.1.4 Must not engage in any activity directly or indirectly involving the racing performance of horses on Licensee's grounds other than those registered as being in his charge.
7.2.1.4.1 A registered Trainer may not concurrently participate in racing in this State as a Jockey, Apprentice Jockey, Jockey's Agent, Veterinarian, Assistant Veterinarian, Dental Technician, Farrier, Apprentice Farrier, or as an employee in Licensee's racing department, except as provided by Rule 8.3.
7.2.1.4.2 The Commission may deny, suspend or revoke a Trainer's registration for the spouse or any member of the immediate family or household of a person ineligible to hold a Trainer's license under these Rules, unless there is a showing by the applicant or registered Trainer, and the Commission so finds, that his participation in racing as a Trainer will in no way circumvent the intent of these Rules by permitting a person, under the control or direction of a person ineligible to hold a Trainer's license, to serve in effect as the alter ego of such ineligible person.
7.3 Duties and Responsibilities:
7.3.1 A registered Trainer shall bear primary responsibility for the proper care, health, training, condition, safety and protection against administration of prohibited drugs or medication of horses in his charge. A registered trainer:
7.3.2 Shall register with the Racing Secretary all persons in his employ and insure that they duly apply for permits within 24 hours after they arrive on Licensee's grounds or are employed. Upon discharge of an employee, a Trainer must promptly notify the Racing Secretary and the Licensee or its Registrar.
7.3.3 All Owners and Trainers shall carry workmen's compensation insurance covering all their employees. This paragraph is intended to include all individuals employed by Owners and Trainers in the training and racing of horses.
7.3.4 Shall register with the Racing Secretary all horses in his charge in the manner required by Rule 6.3. No registered Trainer may take or keep in his charge a horse owned wholly or in part, or controlled by, a person who is not registered as an Owner. No registered Trainer shall assume responsibility for horses not under his active care and supervision, except as provided by Rule 7.3.7.
7.3.5 Shall bear the absolute responsibility to report bleeders from other jurisdictions to the Commission's Veterinarian or Stewards, on official forms from that state, prior to entry.
7.3.6 Shall bear primary responsibility for horses he enters as to eligibility, weight allowances claimed, physical fitness to perform creditably at the distance entered, absence of prohibited drugs or medications, proper shoes, bandages and equipment, and timely arrival in the saddling paddock. A registered Trainer shall be jointly responsible with the registered Owner for horses he enters as to stakes payments and jockey fees due.
7.3.7 When entering horses, Trainers shall furnish, as first call, the name of the Jockey engaged to ride each horse entered and, as second call, the name of an alternate Jockey to ride each horse entered, if possible at the time of entry, but in no event later than scratch time unless part of an entry. If no first or second call Jockey has been named to ride a horse entered to race by scratch time, then the Stewards shall select a rider to ride such horse.
7.3.8 Shall personally attend his horses in the paddock and supervise the saddling thereof, unless excused by the Stewards. If a registered Trainer is to be absent from Licensee's grounds where his horses are stabled, he must provide a substitute -- his registered Assistant Trainer or another registered Trainer -- to attend the saddling of horses already entered and to assume complete responsibility for horses to be entered. Such substitute must be approved by the Stewards and shall sign in the presence of the Stewards a form furnished by Licensee accepting complete responsibility for horses he so enters.
7.3.9 May attend the taking and testing of a saliva, urine or blood sample from a horse in his charge by Commission's Veterinarian and/or Chemist, or may delegate one of his employees holding an authorization or permit to do so.
7.3.10 Shall maintain the stable area assigned to him in a clean, neat and sanitary condition at all times and insure that fire prevention rules are strictly observed in his stable area.
7.3.11 Shall promptly report to the Commission's Veterinarian any sickness or death of any horse in his charge.
7.4 Restrictions on Ownership:
7.4.1 No registered Trainer shall have any interest, by ownership or lease, in the racing or breeding qualities of a horse for which he is not the Trainer at any race meeting at which such Trainer is in charge of a racing stable.
7.5 Horses Suspended:
7.5.1 All horses in the charge of a Trainer whose registration has been revoked or suspended shall not be permitted to race during the period of such Trainer's suspension. Upon application by the Owners of such suspended horses, the Stewards may approve the bona fide transfer of such horses to the care of another registered Trainer and, upon such approved transfer, such horses may be entered to race.
7.6 Assistant Trainer:
7.6.1 A registered Owner or registered Trainer may employ an Assistant Trainer. Such Assistant Trainer must obtain an authorization from the Commission before acting in such capacity on behalf of his employer. Qualifications for obtaining an Assistant Trainer's authorization shall be prescribed by the Stewards. An authorized Assistant Trainer shall assume the same duties and responsibilities as imposed on a registered Trainer. The registered Trainer shall be jointly responsible with his Assistant Trainer for all acts and omissions of such Assistant Trainer involving a racing matter.
4 DE Reg. 179 (7/1/00)
8.1 Probationary Mounts:
8.1.1 Any person desiring to participate at Licensee's premises as a rider and who never previously has ridden in a race may be permitted to ride in two races before applying for a permit as a Jockey or Apprentice Jockey, provided, however:
8.1.2 Such person has had at least one year of service with a racing stable and currently holds a permit issued by the Commission for a recognized activity in racing;
8.1.3 A registered Trainer certifies in writing to the Stewards that such person has demonstrated sufficient horsemanship to be permitted such probationary mounts;
8.1.4 The Starter has schooled such person in breaking from the starting gate with other horses and approves such person as being capable of starting a horse properly from the starting gate in a race;
8.1.5 The Stewards, in their sole discretion, are satisfied that such person intends to become a licensed Jockey, possesses the physical ability and has demonstrated sufficient horsemanship to ride in a race without jeopardizing the safety of horses or other riders in such race. No such person shall be permitted to ride in any such probationary race without the prior approval of the Stewards.
8.2 Qualification for Permit:
8.2.1 In addition to satisfying the requirements applicable to Permittees, et al., imposed by Part 2 of these Rules, in order to be eligible to have an authorization or permit issued to him as a Jockey or Apprentice Jockey, a person also:
8.2.2 Must be an individual 16 years of age or older;
8.2.3 Must utilize in his or her application his or her legal name only so that such may be listed in the daily race program;
8.2.4 Must have served at least one year with a racing stable;
8.2.5 Must have ridden in at least two races; and
8.2.6 Must, when required by the Stewards, provide a medical affidavit certifying he or she is physically and mentally capable of performing the activities and duties of a Jockey.
8.3 Amateur or Provisional Jockey:
8.3.1 An amateur wishing to ride in races on even terms with professional riders, but without accepting fees or gratuities therefor, must be approved by the Stewards as to competency of horsemanship, may be granted a Jockey's authorization or permit, and such amateur status must be duly noted on the daily race program. A registered Owner or registered Trainer, upon approval by the Stewards, may be issued a provisional Jockey's authorization or permit to ride his or her own horse or horse registered in his or her care as Trainer.
8.4 Apprentice Allowance:
8.4.1 An apprentice jockey may claim the following weight allowances in all overnight races except stakes and handicaps:
8.4.1.1 A ten pound allowance beginning with the first mount and continuing until the apprentice has ridden five winners.
8.4.1.2 A seven pound allowance until the apprentice has ridden an additional 35 winners.
8.4.1.3 If an apprentice has ridden a total of 40 winners prior to the end of a period of one year from the date of riding his or her fifth winner, he or she shall have an allowance of five pounds until the end of that year.
8.4.1.4 If after one year from the date of the fifth winning mount, the apprentice jockey has not ridden 40 winners, the applicable weight allowance shall continue for more than one year or until the 40th winner, whichever comes first. An apprentice may in no event claim a weight allowance for more than two years from the date of the fifth winning mount, unless an extension has been granted pursuant to this Rule.
8.4.1.5 After the completion of the weight allowances as defined in this Rule, a contracted apprentice may for one year claim three pounds when riding horses owned or trained by his or her original contract employer, provided his or her contract has not been transferred or sold since his or her first winner. Such original contract employer shall be deemed the party to the contract who was the employer at the time of the apprentice jockey's first winner.
8.4.1.6 An apprentice jockey may enter into a contract with a registered owner or registered trainer qualified under Rule 8.5 for a period not to exceed five years. Such contracts must be approved by the stewards and filed with the licensee or its registrar. Such contracts shall be binding in all respects on the signers thereof. An apprentice who is not contracted may be given an apprentice jockey certificate on a form furnished by the licensee or its registrar.
8.4.1.7 After the completion of the weight allowances defined in this Rule, such rider must obtain a jockey license before accepting subsequent mounts.
8.4.1.8 The Commission may extend the weight allowance of an apprentice jockey when, in the discretion of the Commission, an apprentice jockey is unable to continue riding due to:
8.4.1.8.1 Physical disablement or illness;
8.4.1.8.2 Military service;
8.4.1.8.3 Attendance in an institution of secondary or higher education;
8.4.1.8.4 Restriction on racing;
8.4.1.8.5 Other valid reasons.
8.4.1.9 To qualify for an extension, an apprentice jockey shall have been rendered unable to ride for a period of not less than seven (7) consecutive days during the period in which the apprentice was entitled to an apprentice weight allowance. Under exceptional circumstances, total days lost collectively will be given consideration.
8.4.1.10 The Commission currently licensing apprentice jockeys shall have the authority to grant an extension to an eligible applicant, but only after the apprentice has produced documentation verifying time lost as defined by this Rule.
8.4.1.11 An apprentice may petition one of the jurisdictions in which he or she is licensed and riding for an extension of the time for claiming apprentice weight allowances, and the apprentice shall be bound by the decision of the jurisdiction so petitioned.
Revised 10/31/96.
8.5 Rider Contracts:
8.5.1 All contracts between an employer or Trainer and employee rider are subject to the rules of racing. All riding contracts for terms longer than 30 days, as well as any amendments thereto, or cancellations or transfer thereof, must be in writing with the signatures of the parties thereto notarized, be approved by the Stewards and filed with Licensee or his Registrar. The Stewards may approve a riding contract and permit parties thereto to participate in racing at Licensee's premises if they find that:
8.5.2 The contract employer is a registered Owner or registered Trainer who owns or trains at least three horses eligible to race at the time of execution of such contract;
8.5.3 The contract employer possesses such character, ability, facilities and financial responsibility as may be conducive to the development of a competent race rider;
8.5.4 Such contracts for Apprentice Jockeys provide for fair remuneration, adequate medical care and an option equally available to both employer and Apprentice Jockey to cancel such contract after two years from the date of execution.
8.6 Restrictions as to Contract Riders:
8.6.1 No rider may:
8.6.1.1 Ride any horse not owned or trained by his or her contract employer in a race against a horse owned or trained by his or her contract employer;
8.6.1.2 Ride or agree to ride any horse in a race without the consent of his or her contract employer;
8.6.1.3 Share any money earned from riding with his or her contract employer;
8.6.1.4 Repealed: 10/31/96.
8.7 Calls and Engagements:
8.7.1 Any rider not so prohibited by prior contract may agree to give first or second call on his or her race-riding services to any registered Owner or Trainer. Such agreements, if for terms of more than 30 days, must be in writing, approved by the Stewards and filed with the Licensee or its Registrar. Any rider employed by a racing stable on a regular salaried basis may not ride against the stable which so employs him or her. No Owner or Trainer shall employ or engage a rider to prevent him or her from riding another horse.
8.8 Jockey Fee:
8.8.1 The fee to a Jockey in all races shall be, in the absence of special agreement, as follows:
Winning Second Third Losing
Purse Mount Mount Mount Mount
$5,000 to 10% of Win $65 $50 $45
9,900 Purse
$10,000 to 10% of Win 5% 5% $50
14,900 Purse
$15,000 to 10% of Win 5% 5% $55
24,900 Purse
$25,000 to 10% of Win 5% 5% $65
49,900 Purse
$50,000 to 10% of Win 5% 5% $80
99,900 Purse
$100,000 10% of Win 5% 5% $105
and up Purse
8.8.2 A jockey fee shall be considered earned by a rider when he or she is weighed out by the Clerk of Scales, except when:
8.8.2.1 A rider does not weigh out and ride in a race for which he or she has been engaged because an Owner or Trainer engaged more than one rider for the same race; in such case, the Owner or Trainer shall pay an appropriate fee to each rider engaged for such race.
8.8.2.2 Such rider capable of riding elects to take himself or herself off the mount without, in the opinion of the Stewards, proper cause therefor.
8.8.2.3 Such rider is replaced by the Stewards with a substitute rider for a reason other than a physical injury suffered by such rider during the time between weighing out and start of the race.
8.9 Duty to Fulfill Engagements:
8.9.1 Every rider shall fulfill his or her duly scheduled riding engagements unless excused by the Stewards. No rider shall be forced to ride a horse he or she believes to be unsound nor over a racing strip he or she believes to be unsafe, but if the Stewards find a rider's refusal to fulfill a riding engagement is based on a personal belief unwarranted by the facts and circumstances, such rider may be subject to disciplinary action.
8.10 Presence in Jockey Room:
8.10.1 Each rider who has been engaged to ride in a race shall be physically present in the Jockey room no later than one hour prior to post time for the first race on the day he or she is scheduled to ride, unless excused by the Stewards or the Clerk of Scales and, upon arrival, shall report to the Clerk of Scales his or her engagements. In the event a rider fails for any reason to arrive in the Jockey room prior to one hour before post time of a race in which he or she is scheduled to ride, the Clerk of Scales shall so advise the Stewards who thereupon may name a substitute rider, in which case they shall cause an announcement to be made of any such rider substitution prior to the opening of wagering on such race.
8.10.2 Each rider reporting to the Jockey room shall remain in the Jockey room until he or she has fulfilled all his riding engagements for the day, except to ride in a race or to view the running of a race from a location approved by the Stewards. Such rider shall have no contact or communication with any person outside the Jockey room other than an Owner or Trainer for whom he or she is riding, or a racing official, or a representative of Licensee, until such rider has fulfilled all his or her riding engagements for the day.
8.10.3 Licensee shall take measures designed to exclude from the Jockey room all persons, except riders scheduled to ride on the day's program, Valets, authorized attendants, Racing Officials, representatives of Licensee and persons having special permission from the Stewards to enter the Jockey room.
8.10.4 Any rider intending to discontinue riding at a race meeting prior to its conclusion shall so notify the stewards not later than after fulfilling his or her final riding engagement of the day he or she intends to depart.
8.11 Weighing Out:
8.11.1 Each rider engaged to ride in a race shall report to the Clerk of Scales for weighing out not more than one hour and not less than 15 minutes before post time for each race in which he or she is engaged to ride and to report their weight and overweight, if any, at a time designated by the Stewards.
8.11.2 No rider shall pass the scale with more than one pound overweight, without the consent of the Owner or Trainer of the horse he or she is engaged to ride. In no event shall a rider pass the scale with more than five pounds overweight.
8.11.3 No horse shall be disqualified because of overweight carried.
8.11.4 Whip, blinkers, number cloth, bridle and rider's safety helmet and rider's safety vest (with a minimum British rating of #5) shall not be included in a rider's weight.
Revised: 10/20/93
8.12 Wagering:
8.12.1 No rider shall place a wager, or cause a wager to be placed on his behalf, or accept any ticket or winnings from a wager on any race, except on his or her own mount to win, or a combination wager on his or her own mount to win, place and show, and except through the Owner or Trainer of the horse he or she is riding. Such Owner or Trainer placing wagers for his rider shall maintain a precise and complete record of all such wagers and such record shall be available for examination by the Stewards at all times.
8.13 Attire:
8.13.1 Upon leaving the Jockey room to ride in any race, each rider shall be neat and clean in appearance and wear the traditional Jockey costume with all jacket buttons and catches fastened. Except with the approval of the Stewards, each Jockey shall wear the cap and jacket racing colors registered in the name of the Owner of the horse he or she is to ride, white or light breeches, top boots, safety helmet approved by the Commission, safety vest approved by the Commission and a number on his or her right shoulder corresponding to his or her mount's number as shown on the saddle cloth and daily race program. The Clerk of Scales and attending Valet shall be held jointly responsible with a rider for his or her neat and clean appearance and proper attire.
Revised: 10/20/93
8.14 Viewing Films or Tapes of Race
8.14.1 Every rider shall be responsible for checking the film list posted by the Stewards in the Jockey room the day after riding in a race, the posting of same to be considered as notice to all riders whose names are listed thereon to present themselves at the time designated by the Stewards to view the patrol films or video tape of races. Any rider may be accompanied by a representative of the Jockey organization of which he or she is a member in viewing such films or, with the Stewards' permission, be represented at such viewing by his or her designated representatives.
4 DE Reg. 174 (7/1/00)
4 DE Reg. 1131 (1/1/01)
9.1 Agency Permitted:
9.1.1 Any registered Owner or Jockey or Apprentice Jockey holding a permit issued by the Commission may, as a principal, authorize another person as an agent to act in such principal's behalf in all matters pertaining to racing and transfer of horses at Licensee's premises. Such authorization shall be in writing and shall define the powers, limits and terms of such agency.
9.2 Registration or Permit Required:
9.2.1 No person may act as agent on behalf of another individual in a matter pertaining to racing at Licensee's premises or in the transfer of horses on its grounds unless both principal and agent have been duly issued a current registration or permit authorizing such activity.
9.2.2 If an Authorized Agent is to act on behalf of more than one principal, a separate registration or permit must be obtained as to each principal. Applications for such shall be accompanied by the written agency appointment, signed by the principal and notarized.
9.2.2.1 If such agency appointment is other than one authorizing broad general powers and qualifies or limits powers of the Agent to act on behalf of the principal in any material way, then such registration or permit, if issued, shall indicate thereon such limitation.
9.2.2.2 Any Racing Official may deny any Authorized Agent whose registration or permit is so limited any right to take action as such until he has inspected a copy of the agency appointment and ascertained to his satisfaction that any act in question is empowered by such agency.
9.2.2.3 No Jockey Agent shall make engagements for more than two riders except that a single Jockey Agent may represent all riders under contract employment to a single employer. No rider may be represented by two Jockey Agents at one time.
9.3 Termination of Agency:
9.3.1 Such Agency shall remain in effect until written notification of revocation is received from the principal by the Commission. In the event a Jockey Agent is dismissed by his employer, or if a Jockey Agent discontinues making engagements for a rider, then such Jockey Agent shall immediately notify the Stewards and turn over to the Clerk of Scales a list of any unfulfilled engagements such Jockey Agent may have made for such rider.
9.4 Acts by Authorized Agent:
9.4.1 Unless precluded by specific limitations in the agency appointment, an Authorized Agent who is registered or who holds a permit granted by the Commission may perform at Licensee's premises on behalf of the registered owner-principal all acts pertaining to racing, including the transfer of ownership of horses, as could be performed by the principal were he present. In executing any document on behalf of the principal, an Authorized Agent shall clearly indicate that he is acting as an Authorized Agent and shall specify the principal for whom he is acting. When an Authorized Agent enters a claim for the account of his principal, the name of the registered Owner for whom the claim is being made and the name of the Authorized Agent shall appear on the claim slip.
9.5 Riding Engagements:
9.5.1 No person other than the contract employer or licensed Jockey Agent who holds a permit issued by the Commission may make riding engagements for a rider, except that a Jockey not represented by an Agent may make his own riding engagements. Such persons permitted to make riding engagements shall maintain in their possession at all times an engagement book and shall record therein riding engagements made, the same being subject to examination by the Stewards at any time. No Jockey Agent may enter the Jockey room, paddock or racing strip during the hours of racing.
9.6 Conflicting Claims for Rider:
9.6.1 Any dispute arising from a conflict of claims for the services of a rider shall be determined by the Stewards on the basis of written records submitted by the parties involved.
4 DE Reg. 179 (7/1/00)
10.1 Registration required:
10.1.1 No horse may be entered or raced in the State unless duly registered and named in the registry office of the Jockey Club in New York and unless the registration certificate or racing permit issued by the Jockey Club for such horse is on file with the Racing Secretary except that, for good cause, the Stewards, in their discretion, may waive this requirement if the horse is otherwise correctly identified to their satisfaction.
10.1.2 For steeplechase racing only, a Certificate for Racing Purposes Only issued by the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association in New York can be acceptable within the meaning of this Rule.
10.2 Ringers Prohibited:
10.2.1 No horse may be entered or raced in this state designated by a name other than the name under which such horse is currently registered with the Jockey Club in New York or with any other authority recognized by the Commission. In the event a horse's name is changed by the Jockey Club, or any other authority recognized by the Commission, such horse's former name shall be shown parenthetically in the daily race program the first three times such horse races after such name change.
10.2.2 No person shall at any time cause or permit the correct identity of a horse to be concealed or altered nor shall any person refuse to reveal the correct identity of a horse he owns, or which is in his care, to a Racing Official.
10.2.3 No horse shall race in this State without a legible lip tattoo number applied by agents of the Thoroughbred Racing and Protective Bureau, except that for good cause the Stewards, in their discretion, may waive this requirement if the horse is otherwise correctly identified to the Stewards' satisfaction. The Stewards shall require that a horse without a lip tattoo number be lip tattooed within a reasonably practical time.
10.2.4 No horse may be entered or raced in this State if previously involved in a "ringer" case if:
10.2.4.1 a person having control of such horse knowingly entered or raced such horse while designated by a name other than the name under which such horse was registered with the Jockey Club or any other authority recognized by the Commission; or (2) such person having control of such horse participated in or assisted in the entry or racing of some other horse under the name registered as belonging to such horse in question.
10.3 Denerving:
10.3.1 Any horse on which a neurectomy has been performed shall have such fact designated on its registration certificate or racing permit. It shall be the joint responsibility of the practicing veterinarian who performed the operation and the Trainer of such denerved horse to insure that such fact is designated on the registration certificate or racing permit.
10.3.2 Any horse whose ulnar, radial or median nerve has been either blocked or removed (known as high nerved), or whose volar or plantar nerve has been blocked or removed, unilaterally or bilaterally, shall not be entered or raced in this State.
10.3.3 Any horse which has had a posterior digital neurectomy (known as low nerved) may be permitted to race provided such denerving has been reported by the Trainer to the Stewards and such horse has been approved for racing by the Commission's Veterinarian prior to being entered for a race.
10.3.4 In the event a horse races in violation of this Rule and participates in the purse distribution, then no protest thereon will be considered unless submitted in writing to the Stewards within 48 hours after such race.
10.3.5 In the event a horse races in violation of this Rule and is claimed, then no protest thereon will be considered unless the successful claimant submits such protest in writing within 48 hours requesting that his claim be voided. Should the claim be voided, the horse shall be returned to the Owner who started such horse in such race and the claim price shall be returned to the claimant.
10.3.6 A list of all denerved horses shall be posted in the Racing Secretary's Office. No person shall report a horse as having a neurectomy when in fact such horse has not.
10.4 Bleeders:
10.4.1 Any horse known to have bled from its nostrils during a race or workout may not be entered or raced without the prior approval for racing by the Commission's Veterinarian. A horse which bled for the first time shall not be permitted to run for a period of ten (10) calendar days. A horse which bleeds a second time shall not be permitted to run for thirty (30) calendar days. A horse which bleeds a third time shall not be permitted to run for ninety (90) days. A horse which bleeds a fourth time shall be barred from further racing in the State of Delaware, except that if a horse's fourth bleeding incident occurs within one year of the first bleeding incident, then the horse shall not be barred but shall not be permitted to run for one year. If a horse has bled three times but at least twelve months have passed since the last bleeding incident, then if the horse bleeds for a fourth time, the horse shall not be permitted to run for twelve (12) months, and any further bleeding incidents will prevent the horse from racing for another twelve (12) month period. (A positive endoscopic examination shall be classed as a first time bleeder). See Rule 15.2 Bleeder Medication.
10.5 Health Certificate Required:
10.5.1 Licensee, within its discretion, may require a health certificate from an accredited, practicing veterinarian of any horse stabled or to be stabled on its grounds.
10.6 Workouts:
10.6.1 No horse may be schooled in the paddock or taken onto a track on Licensee's grounds for training or workout, other than during normal training hours as posted by Licensee, without the special permission of the Stewards.
10.7 Removal from Licensee's Grounds/Postmortem Examination:
10.7.1 No dead or sick horse may be removed from Licensee's grounds without the prior approval of the Commission's Veterinarian.
10.7.2 The Commission may conduct a postmortem examination of any horse that is injured in this jurisdiction while in training or in competition and that subsequently expires or is destroyed. In proceeding with a postmortem examination, the Commission or its designee shall coordinate with the trainer and/or owner to determine and address any insurance requirements.
10.7.3 The Commission may conduct a postmortem examination of any horse that expires while housed on a licensee's grounds within this jurisdiction. Trainers and owners shall be required to comply with such action as a condition of licensure.
10.7.4 The Commission may take possession of the horse upon death for postmortem examination. The Commission may submit blood, urine, other bodily fluid specimens or other tissue specimens collected during a postmortem examination for testing by the Commission-selected laboratory or its designee. Upon completion of the postmortem examination, the carcass may be returned to the owner or disposed of at the owner's option.
10.7.5 The presence of a prohibited substance in a horse, found by the official laboratory or its designee in a bodily fluid specimen collected during the postmortem examination of a horse, which breaks down during a race constitutes a violation of these rules.
10.7.6 The cost of Commission-ordered postmortem examinations, testing and disposal will be borne by the Commission.
10.8 Serviceable for Racing:
10.8.1 No horse may be entered or raced that:
10.8.1.1 is not in serviceable, sound racing condition. The Stewards may, at any time, cause a horse on Licensee's grounds to be examined by a qualified person.
10.8.1.2 is posted on a Veterinarian's list or Steward's list or is suspended in any racing jurisdiction;
10.8.1.3 has been administered any drug, medication or substance foreign to the natural horse in violation of these Rules;
10.8.1.4 is blind or has seriously impaired vision in both eyes;
10.8.1.5 is not correctly identified to the satisfaction of the Stewards;
10.8.1.6 is owned wholly or in part by, or is trained by, an ineligible person.
10.9 Equipment:
10.9.1 Whips or blinkers must be used consistently on a horse or not at all. Permission to change any equipment used on a horse in its last previous start must be obtained from the Stewards. A horse's tongue may be tied down for a race with a clean bandage or gauze. A horse's bridle may weigh no more than two pounds. War bridles are prohibited. No horse may race in ordinary training shoes. Bar shoes may be used for racing only with the permission of the Stewards.
10.9.2 Use on a horse either in a race or workout of any goading device, chain, electrical or mechanical device or appliance, other than the ordinary whip, which could be used to alter the speed of such horse is prohibited, except that spurs may be used in jumping races and, with the permission of the Stewards, during workouts.
10.9.3 No whip shall be used that weighs more than one pound or is longer than 30 inches with one popper; no stingers or projections extending through the hole of a popper or any metal part on a whip shall be permitted.
10.9.4 Indiscriminate or brutal use of an ordinary whip on a horse, as determined by the Stewards in their sole discretion, is prohibited.
10.10 Sex Alteration:
10.10.1 Any alteration in the sex of a horse must be reported by such horse's Trainer to the Racing Secretary promptly, and the Racing Secretary shall note same on such horse's registration certificate.
Rule 10.1 and 10.2 Rev. March 1976.
3 DE Reg. 754 (12/1/99)
4 DE Reg. 179 (7/1/01)
4 DE Reg. 1131 (1/1/01)
11.1 Entering Required:
11.1.1 No horse shall be qualified to start in any race unless such horse has been and continues to be duly entered therein. Entries or subscriptions for any horse, or the transfer of same, may be refused or cancelled by the Licensee without notice or reason given therefor.
11.2 Procedure for Making Entries:
11.2.1 It shall be the absolute responsibility of the Trainer to report bleeders from other jurisdictions to the Commission's Veterinarian or Stewards on official forms from that State prior to entry.
11.2.2 All entries, subscriptions, declarations and scratches shall be lodged with the Racing Secretary and shall not be considered as having been made until received by the Racing Secretary who shall maintain a record of time of receipt of same.
11.2.3 Every entry must be in the name of such horse's registered Owner, as completely disclosed and registered with the Racing Secretary under these Rules and made by the Owner, Trainer or a person deputized by such Owner or Trainer.
11.2.4 Every entry must be in writing, or by telegraph promptly confirmed in writing, except that an entry may be made by telephone to the Racing Secretary but must be confirmed in writing should the Stewards, the Racing Secretary or an assistant to the Racing Secretary so request.
11.2.5 Every entry shall clearly designate the horse so entered. When entered for the first time during a meeting, every horse shall be designated by name, age color, sex, sire, dam and broodmare sire, as reflected by such horse's registration certificate.
11.2.6 No horse may race unless correctly identified to the satisfaction of the Stewards as being the horse duly entered;
11.2.7 In establishing the identity of a horse, responsibility shall be borne by any person attempting to identify such horse as well as the Owner of such horse, all such persons being subject to appropriate disciplinary action for incorrect identification.
11.2.8 At the time of entering a horse, the Trainer of such horse or his representative, must declare to the Racing Secretary or his representative, whether the horse will race on any medication permitted by these Rules and shall not deviate from such declaration.
11.2.9 Within the discretion of the Stewards, a list of horses so declared to race on medication may, in whole or in part, be announced, released for publication or otherwise made public without liability for the accuracy thereof.
11.2.10 In order to claim an apprentice allowance at the time of entry, an Apprentice Jockey must be designated by name.
11.2.11 No alteration may be made in any entry after the closing of entries, except that an error may be corrected.
11.2.12 No horse may be entered in two races to be run on the same day.
11.3 Limitation as to Spouses:
Repealed 1/6/92.
11.4 Mutuel Entries:
11.4.1 All horses entered in the same race and owned wholly or in part by the same owner or spouse thereof shall be joined as a mutuel entry and a single betting interest. Horses shall be regarded as having a common owner when an owner of one horse, either as an individual or as a licensed member of a partnership or as a licensed shareholder of a corporation, has an ownership interest in another horse, either as an individual or as a licensed shareholder of a partnership or as a licensed shareholder of a corporation. No trainer of any horse shall have any ownership interest in any other horse in the same race unless such horses are coupled as a single wagering interest.
11.4.2 No owner shall have more than one horse start in a trifecta or twin-trifecta race. No mutuel entry shall start in a trifecta or twin-trifecta race. However, the Stewards may, in their discretion, permit mutuel entries to start in stakes races and simulcast races when there is trifecta wagering.
11.4.3 Except with the permission of the Stewards, no more than two horses having such common ties through ownership as to require them to be joined as a mutuel entry may be entered in a purse race. When making such double entry, a preference for one of the horses may be made.
11.4.4 In no case may two horses having common ties through ownership start in a purse race to the exclusion of a single interest.
Revised: 6/19/92
11.5 Subscriptions:
11.5.1 Nominations to or entry of a horse in a stakes race is a subscription. Any subscriber to a stakes race may transfer or declare such subscription prior to closing.
11.5.1.1 Joint subscription and entries may be made by any one of the joint Owners of a horse and each such Owner shall be jointly and severally liable for all payments due thereon.
11.5.1.2 Death of a horse or a mistake in its entry, when such horse is eligible, does not release the subscriber or transferee from liability for all stakes fees due thereon. No fees paid in connection with a subscription to a stakes race that is run shall be refunded.
11.5.1.3 Death of a nominator or original subscriber to a stakes race shall not render void any subscription, entry or right of entry thereunder; all rights, privileges and obligations shall attach to the successor Owner, including the legal representatives of the decedent.
11.5.1.4 When a horse is sold privately, sold at public auction or claimed, stakes engagements for such horse shall be transferred automatically with such horse to its new Owner, except that if such horse is transferred to a person whose registration is suspended or otherwise unqualified to race or enter such horse, then subscriptions shall be void as of the date of such transfer.
Rule 11.4 Rev. July 1977
Rule 11.4 Rev. July 1978
11.5.1.5 All stakes fees paid toward a stakes race shall be allocated to the winner thereof unless otherwise provided by the conditions for such stakes race. In the event a stakes race is not run for any reason, all such subscription fees paid shall be refunded.
11.6 Closings:
11.6.1 Entries for purse races and subscriptions to stakes races shall close at the time designated by the Licensee in the previously published conditions for such races. If a race is not split, no entry, subscription or declaration shall be accepted after such closing time, except that in the event of an emergency or if a purse race fails to fill, then the Racing Secretary may, with the approval of a Steward, extend such closing time.
11.6.2 If the hour of closing is not specified for stakes races, then subscriptions and declarations therefor may be accepted until midnight of the day of closing, provided they are received in time for compliance with every other condition of such race.
11.6.3 Entries which have closed shall be compiled without delay by the Racing Secretary and, along with declarations, be posted.
11.7 Number of Starters in a Race:
11.7.1 The maximum number of starters in any race shall be limited to the number of starting positions afforded by the Licensee's starting gate and such extensions thereof as can be positioned across the width of the track at the starting point for such race. Such maximum number of starters shall be further limited by the number of horses which, in the opinion of the Stewards, considering the safety of the horses and riders and the distance from the start of the first turn, can be afforded a fair and equal start.
11.7.2 If any purse race in the printed condition book fails to fill, then the Licensee may cancel or declare off such race.
11.8 Split or Divided Races:
11.8.1 In the event a race is cancelled or declared off, the Licensee may split any race programmed for the same day and which may previously have been closed.
11.8.2 When a purse race is split, forming two or more separate races, the Racing Secretary shall give notice thereof not less than 15 minutes before such races are closed so as to grant time for the making of additional entries to such split races.
11.8.3 Division of entries upon the splitting of any race shall be made in accordance with the conditions under which entries and subscriptions therefor were made and in the absence of specific prohibition by such conditions:
11.8.3.1 Horses originally joined as a mutuel entry shall, to the greatest extent possible, be placed in different divisions of a split race;
11.8.3.2 Division of other entries in any split race may be made according to age, sex or weight, except that such entries not so divided shall be divided by lot so as to provide a number of betting interests as nearly equal as possible for each division of such split race.
11.9 Post Positions:
11.9.1 Post positions for all races shall be determined by lot drawn in the presence of those making the entries for such race. Post positions in split races also shall be redetermined by lot in the presence of those making the entries for such split race. The Racing Secretary shall assign pari-mutuel numbers for each starter to conform with the post position drawn, except when a race includes two or more horses joined as a single betting interest.
11.10 Also Eligible List:
11.10.1 If the number of entries for a purse race exceeds the number of horses permitted to start in such race, then the names of as many as six (6) additional horses may be drawn as provided in Rule 11.9. The names drawn shall be posted, in the order they were drawn, as "also eligible" to start.
11.10.2 After any horses have been excused from a purse race at scratch time, the starting and post position of such horses as needed from the also-eligible list shall be determined by the order in which they appear on the entry sheet.
Revised: 10/26/95
11.10.3 Any Owner or Trainer of any horse on the also-eligible list who does not wish to start such horse in such race shall so notify the Racing Secretary prior to scratch time for such race and such horse shall forfeit any preference to which it may have been entitled.
11.10.4 Where entries are closed two racing days prior to the running of a race, any horse on an also-eligible list, which has also been drawn into a race as a starter for the succeeding day, shall not be given an opportunity to be drawn into the earlier race for which he had been listed as also-eligible.
11.11 Preferred List; Stars:
11.11.1 The Racing Secretary shall maintain a list of horses which were entered but denied an opportunity to race because eliminated from a race programmed in the printed condition book either by overfilling or failure to fill. Horses so eliminated shall be awarded a preference "star" for each such elimination. As to drawing in from the also-eligible list to subsequent races of similar distance and similar conditions, such horses shall be given preference over horses with fewer number or no preference stars.
11.11.2 No preference shall be given a horse otherwise entitled thereto for a race if such horse is also entered for a race on the succeeding day.
11.11.3 No preference shall be given a horse otherwise entitled thereto for a race unless preference is claimed at the time of entry by indicating same on the entry with the word "preferred".
11.12 Arrears:
11.12.1 No horse may be entered or raced if the Owner thereof is in arrears as to any stakes fees due by such Owner, or is indebted in any sum to Licensee, except with the approval of the Racing Secretary. (Also, see Rule 6.11).
11.13 Declarations:
11.13.1 Withdrawal of a horse from a race before closing thereof by the Owner or Trainer or person deputized by either, such being known as a "declaration', shall be made in the same manner as to form, time and procedure as provided for the making of entries. Declarations and scratches are irrevocable. No declaration fee shall be required by any Licensee.
11.14 Scratches:
11.14.1 Withdrawal of a horse from a race after closing thereof by the Owner or Trainer or person deputized by either, such being known as a "scratch", shall be permitted only under the following conditions:
11.14.1.1 A horse may be scratched from a stakes race for any reason at any time up until 45 minutes before post time for that race.
11.14.1.2 No horse may be scratched from a purse race without approval of the Stewards and unless such intention to scratch has been filed in writing with the Racing Secretary or his assistant at or before the time conspicuously posted as "scratch time". Scratch of one horse coupled in a mutuel entry in a purse race must be made at or before the posted scratch time, unless permission is granted by the Stewards to allow both horses to remain in the race until a later appointed scratch time therefor.
11.14.1.3 In purse races, horses that are physically disabled or sick shall be permitted to be scratched first. Horses that are not physically disabled or sick may be scratched only with the permission and in the manner prescribed by the Stewards.
11.14.1.4 Entry of any horse which has been scratched or excused from starting by the Stewards because of a physical disability or sickness shall not be accepted until the expiration of three calendar days after such horse was scratched or excused.
11.14.1.5 The Stewards will review all cases in which a horse is entered to run at a licensed track in Delaware, while appearing in the entries in another racing jurisdiction, during the five day entry period for Delaware. It shall be a violation of these Rules for a licensee to scratch a horse entered to race in Delaware in order for said horse to race in another jurisdiction within the five day entry period. Violations of this Rule, absent mitigating circumstances, will be subject to fines of not less than $1,000 and no more than $2,500. This rule shall not pertain to Handicap and Stake races.
4 DE Reg. 179 (7/1/00)
8 DE Reg. 1289 (3/1/05)
12.1 Penalties Obligatory; Allowances Must Be Claimed:
12.1.1 Weight penalties are obligatory; weight allowances must be claimed at time of entry and shall not be waived after the posting of entries, except by consent of the Stewards.
12.2 Allowance at Start Controls:
12.2.1 A horse shall start with only the allowance of weight to which it is entitled at time of starting, regardless of its allowance at time of entry.
12.3 Allowance Denied:
12.3.1 Horses incurring weight penalties for a race shall not be entitled to any weight allowance for that race. Horses not entitled to the first weight allowance in a race shall not be entitled to any subsequent allowance specified in the conditions.
12.4 Disqualification for Erroneous Allowance Claim:
12.4.1 Claim of weight allowance to which a horse is not entitled shall not disqualify unless protest is made in writing and lodged with the Stewards at least one hour before post time.
12.5 Second or Lower Place:
12.5.1 No horse shall incur a weight penalty or be barred from any race for not having been placed second or lower in any race, nor shall a horse be given a weight allowance for failure to finish second or lower in any race.
12.6 Beaten in Race:
12.6.1 No horse shall receive allowance of weight nor be relieved of extra weight for having been beaten in one or more races, but this rule shall not prohibit maiden allowances or allowances to horses that have not run a race within a specified period or a race of a specified value.
12.7 Flat Allowances vis-a-vis Jumping Allowances:
12.7.1 Penalties incurred and allowances due in steeplechase or hurdle races shall not apply to races on the flat, and vice versa.
12.8 Charts Considered:
12.8.1 In determining eligibility, allowances and penalties, the reports, records and statistics as published in the Daily Racing Form and the monthly chart books, or corresponding official publications of any foreign country, shall be considered.
12.9 Win At Unrecognized Meet:
12.9.1 Horses wining races at unrecognized meetings shall not be penalized for such winnings in races run thereafter in this state under these Rules. The maiden allowance, however, shall be lost by the winning of a race at any unrecognized meeting.
12.10 Fillies and Mares:
12.10.1 Excepting in handicaps, fillies two years old shall be allowed three pounds, and fillies and mares three years old and upward shall be allowed five pounds before September 1, and three pounds thereafter.
12.11 Weights for Age -- Flat Racing:
12.11.1 For racing on the flat, the following is the scale of weight for age, and shall be carried when not otherwise specified in the conditions of the race.
1/2 Mile
Jan. Mar. Nov.
Feb. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Dec.
Age 2 --- --- --- --- --- 105 108 111 114
Age 3 117 119 121 123 125 126 127 128 129
Age 4 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130
Age 5 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130
and Up
Six Furlongs
Age 2 --- --- --- --- --- 102 105 108 111
Age 3 114 117 119 121 123 125 126 127 128
Age 4 129 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130
Age 5 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130
and Up
One Mile
Age 2 --- --- --- --- --- --- 96 99 102
Age 3 107 111 113 115 117 119 121 122 123
Age 4 127 128 127 126 126 126 126 126 126
Age 5 128 128 127 126 126 126 126 126 126
and Up
1-1/4 Miles
Age 2 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Age 3 101 107 111 113 116 118 120 121 122
Age 4 125 127 127 126 126 126 126 126 126
Age 5 127 127 127 126 126 126 126 126 126
and Up
1 ½ Miles
Age 2 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Age 3 98 104 108 111 114 117 119 121 122
Age 4 124 126 126 126 126 126 126 126 126
Age 5 126 126 126 126 126 126 126 126 126
and Up
2 Miles
Age 3 96 102 106 109 112 114 117 119 120
Age 4 124 126 126 126 126 125 125 124 124
Age 5 126 126 126 126 126 125 125 124 124
and Up
In races of intermediate lengths, the weights for the shorter distance shall be carried.
12.12 Weights for Age -- Jumping Races:
12.12.1 For jumping races, the following is the scale of weights for age and shall be carried when not otherwise specified in the conditions of the race:
SCALE OF WEIGHTS FOR AGE
STEEPLECHASES
2 Miles
Jan.
Feb. Nov.
Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Dec.
Age 3 --- --- --- --- --- 135 136 137 137
Age 4 144 146 148 149 150 151 152 153 154
Age 5 157 157 157 157 158 158 159 160 160
Older 162 162 162 162 162 162 162 162 162
2 ½ Miles
Age 4 141 142 143 144 146 148 149 150 151
Age 5 156 156 156 157 157 158 158 159 159
Older 161 161 161 161 161 161 161 161 161
3 Miles and Over
Age 4 138 138 139 140 142 144 146 148 149
Age 5 155 155 155 156 156 157 157 158 158
Older 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160
HURDLE RACES
1 ½ Miles
Jan.
Feb. Nov.
Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Dec.
Age 3 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 140 142
Age 4 140 142 144 146 148 150 152 154 156
Age 5 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 158 160
Older 156 156 156 156 157 157 158 159 160
1 3/8 Miles
Age 3 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 140
Age 4 140 142 144 146 148 150 152 154 156
Age 5 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 158 160
Older 156 156 156 156 157 157 158 159 160
1 3/4 Miles
Age 3 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138
Age 4 140 142 144 146 148 150 152 153 154
Age 5 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 159 160
Older 156 156 157 157 158 158 159 160 160
1 7/8 Miles
Age 3 --- --- --- --- 132 133 134 135 136
Age 4 140 141 143 145 147 149 151 152 153
Age 5 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160
Older 156 156 157 157 158 158 159 160 160
2 Miles
Age 3 --- --- --- --- 130 131 132 133 134
Age 4 140 141 142 144 146 148 150 151 152
Age 5 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160
Older 156 156 157 157 158 158 159 160 160
12.13 Jumping Races - Weight, Age, Distance, Jockeys:
12.13.1 No horse shall start in a Steeplechase or Hurdle Race until three years old.
12.13.2 No horse shall be permitted to start in any Steeplechase or Hurdle Race under these Rules carrying less than 130 pounds.
12.13.3 There shall be no Steeplechase or Hurdle Races at a distance of less than one and one-half miles.
12.13.4 There shall be no Steeplechase or Hurdle Race run in heats.
12.13.5 In all Over-Night Steeplechase and Hurdle Races, except Handicaps, Jockeys or amateur riders who have never ridden a winner allowed 10 pounds; non-winners of five races allowed 7 pounds; of ten races allowed 5 pounds, if such allowance be claimed at the hour of closing of entries. In stakes (handicaps excepted) closing more than three (3) days prior to the day they are to be run, these allowances may be claimed up to twenty-four (24) hours before the race. These allowances cannot be waived except by permission of the Stewards and then only for a reason in keeping with the best interests of racing.
Rule 12.13 Rev. May, 1976.
12.14 Weigh Out - Jockeys Time:
12.14.1 Jockeys shall be weighed out for their respective mounts by the Clerk of Scales not less than 15 minutes before post time.
12.15 Computation of Jockey's Weight:
12.15.1 A Jockey's weight shall include his clothing, boots, goggles, saddle and its attachment, or any other equipment except whip, bridle, bit or reins, safety helmet, blinkers or number cloth.
12.16 Overweight Limit:
12.16.1 Five pounds is the limit of overweight any horse is permitted to carry.
12.17 Weigh Out - Jockeys - Valets:
12.17.1 Only Valets furnished by the Licensee shall assist Jockeys in weighing out.
12.18 Weigh in - Jockeys:
12.18.1 After a race has been run, the Jockey shall ride promptly to the unsaddling area and, after requesting permission from the Stewards, shall there dismount and present himself to the Clerk of Scales to be weighed in. He shall carry over to the scales all pieces of equipment with which he weighed out.
12.19 Jockey Weight Differential:
12.19.1 Each Jockey shall weigh in at the same weight as that at which he weighed out and, if short of it by more than two (2) pounds, his mount shall be disqualified.
12.20 Jockey Weight Differential Limit:
12.20.1 No Jockey shall weigh in at more than two (2) pounds over the weight at which he weighed out, except insofar as said weight may have been affected by the elements.
12.21 Excuse From Weighing In:
12.21.1 If a Jockey is prevented from riding his mount to the finish line because of an accident or illness either to himself or his horse, he may walk or be carried to the scales, or he may be excused by the Stewards from weighing in.
13.1 Owners Entitled:
13.1.1 In claiming races, any horse is subject to claim for its entered price by any Owner in good standing, who has horses stabled on the Licensee’s grounds, and who has started a horse at the race meeting at which the claim is made.
13.1.2 An Owner may claim out of the race in which he first starts a horse. Owners shipping in from other stable areas who have a horse claimed shall be allowed one claim to replace the horse lost via claiming.
13.1.3 A new Owner, i.e., an individual, partnership, corporation or any other authorized racing interest who has not held an Owner’s license in any racing jurisdiction during the prior year, is eligible to claim by obtaining an “Open Claiming License” from the Commission.
13.1.4 In order to obtain an open claiming license and file an open claim, an individual must comply with the following procedures:
13.1.4.1 Depositing an amount no less than the minimum claiming price of the intended claim at that meet with the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper. Such amount shall remain on account until a claim is in fact made. In the event of withdrawal of such fund, any license issued hereunder shall be automatically revoked and terminated.
13.1.4.2 Securing an Owner or authorized racing interest license by the Commission. Such license will be conditioned upon the making of a claim and shall be revoked if no such claim is, in fact, made within thirty (30) racing days after issuance or if the deposit above required is withdrawn prior to completion of a claim.
13.1.4.3 Naming a Trainer licensed by the Commission who will represent him once said claim is made.
13.2 Claim by Agent:
13.2.1 A claim may be made by an authorized agent, but an agent may claim only for the account of those for whom he is authorized and registered as agent and the name of the authorized agent, as well as the name of the Owner for whom the claim is being made, shall appear on the claim slip.
13.3 Claiming Own Horse Prohibited:
13.3.1 No person shall claim his own horse or cause his own horse to be claimed, directly or indirectly, for his own account. No claimed horse shall remain in the same stable or under the care or management of the Owner or Trainer from whom claimed.
13.4 Limits on claims:
13.4.1 No person shall claim more than one horse from any one race. No authorized agent, although representing several Owners, shall submit more than one claim for any race. When a stable consists of horses owned by more than one person, trained by the same Trainer, not more than one claim may be entered on behalf of such stable in any one race. An Owner who races in a partnership may not claim except in the interest of the partnership, unless he has also started a horse in his own individual interest. An owner who races in a partnership may claim in his or her individual interest if the individual has started a horse in the partnership. The individual must also have an account with the horsemen's bookkeeper that is separate from the partnership account.
13.5 Twenty Day Prohibition -- Sale of Claimed Horse:
13.5.1 A claimed horse shall not run for twenty days after being claimed in a race in which the determining eligibility price is less than twenty-five percent more than the price for which the horse was claimed. The day claimed shall not count but the following calendar day shall be the first day, and the horse shall be entitled to enter whenever necessary so that it may start on the twenty-first calendar day following the claim. This provision shall not apply to starter handicaps, allowance and starter allowance races.
13.6 Thirty Day Prohibition -- Sale of Claimed Horse:
13.6.1 No horse claimed in a claiming race shall be sold or transferred, wholly or in part, to anyone within thirty (30) days after the day it was claimed, except in another claiming race. No claimed horse shall race elsewhere until sixty (60) calendar days after the date on which it was claimed or until after the close of the meeting at which it was claimed, whichever comes first. The day claimed shall not count, but the following calendar day shall be the first day and the horse shall be entitled to enter elsewhere whenever necessary so the horse may start on the 61st calendar day following the claim. The Stewards shall have the authority to waive this rule upon application, so as to allow a claimed horse to race in a stakes race. The Stewards may also permit a horse claimed in a steeplechase or hurdle race to race elsewhere in a steeplechase or hurdle race after the close of the steeplechase program, if such a program ends before the close of the meeting at which it is claimed.
Revised: 7/16/86
13.7 Form of Claim:
13.7.1 Each claim shall be made in writing on a form and in an envelope supplied by Licensee. Both form and envelope must be filled out completely and must be accurate in every detail.
13.8 Procedure for Claim:
13.8.1 Claims must be deposited in the claim box at least ten (10) minutes before post time of the race from which the claim is being made. No money or its equivalent shall be put in the claim box. For a claim to be valid, the claimant must have, at the time of filing the claim, a credit balance in his account with the Horsemen's Bookkeeper of not less than the amount of the claim.
Revised: 8/15/95
13.9 Stewards' Duties:
13.9.1 The Stewards, or their designated representatives, shall open the claim envelopes for each race as soon as the horses leave the paddock en route to the post. They shall thereafter check with the Horsemen's Bookkeeper to ascertain whether the proper credit balance has been established with the Licensee and with the Racing Secretary as to whether the claimant has claiming privileges at Licensee's meeting.
13.10 Conflicting claims:
13.10.1 If more than one valid claim is filed for the same horse, title to the horse shall be determined by lot under the supervision of the Stewards or their designated representative.
13.11 Delivery of Claimed Horse:
13.11.1 Any horse that has been claimed shall, after the race has been run, be taken to the paddock for delivery to the claimant, who must present written authorization for the claim from the Racing Secretary. No person shall refuse to deliver to the person legally entitled thereto a horse claimed out of a claiming race and, until delivery is made, the horse in question shall be disqualified from further racing.
13.12 Nature and Effect of a Claim:
13.12.1 Claims are irrevocable except as otherwise provided for in these Rules. Title to a claimed horse shall be vested in the successful claimant from the time the said horse is a starter and said claimant shall then become the Owner of the horse, whether it be alive or dead, sound or unsound, or injured, during the race or after it. A claimed horse shall run in the interest of and for the account of the Owner from whom claimed.
13.12.2 A post-race test may be taken from any horse claimed out of a claiming race. The trainer of the horse at the time of entry for the race from which the horse was claimed shall be responsible for the claimed horse until the post-race sample is collected. Any claimed horse not otherwise selected for testing by the stewards shall be tested if requested by the claimant at the time the claim form is submitted in accordance with these Rules. The successful claimant shall have the right to void the claim should the forensic analysis be positive for any prohibited substance, an illegal level of a permitted medication, or if a blood sample exhibits a positive response to the Erythropoietin (EPO) antibody test.
13.13 Prohibited Practices:
13.13.1 No person shall offer or enter into an agreement to claim or not to claim or to attempt to prevent another person from claiming any horse in a claiming race. No person shall attempt, by intimidation, to prevent anyone from running a horse in any claiming race. No Owner or Trainer shall make an agreement with another Owner or Trainer for the protection of each other's horses in a claiming race.
13.14 Invalidation of Claim:
13.14.1 Claims which are not made in keeping with the Rules shall be void. The Stewards may, at any time in their discretion, require any person filing a claim to furnish an affidavit in writing that he is claiming in accordance with these Rules. The Stewards shall be the judges of the validity of the claim and, if they feel that a "starter" was nominated for the purpose of making its Owner eligible to claim, they may invalidate the claim.
13.15 Necessity to Record Lien:
13.15.1 Any person holding a lien of any kind against a horse entered in a claiming race must record the same with the Racing Secretary and/or Horsemen's Bookkeeper at least thirty (30) minutes before post time for that race. If none is so recorded, it shall be conclusively assumed, for claiming purposes, that none exists.
13.16 Claiming Privileges -- Eliminated Stable:
13.16.1 If a person's stable shall be eliminated with thirty (30) racing days or less remaining in the current racing season, and such person is unable to replace the horse(s) lost via a claim by the end of the racing season, such person may apply to the Stewards for an additional thirty (30) racing days of eligibility to claim in the new race meeting as long as the person owns no other horses at the start of the next race meeting. Should a stable at a meeting be eliminated by sale or removal from the grounds, the right to claim is void. After claiming a horse under the conditions of this Rule, the Owner shall be required to reinstate his eligibility to claim pursuant to these Rules before being eligible to make another claim.
13.17 Claim Embraces Horse's Prior Engagements:
13.17.1 The engagements of a claimed horse pass automatically with the horse to the claimant.
13.18 Caveat Emptor:
13.18.1 Notwithstanding any designation of sex or age appearing on the racing program or in any racing publication, the claimant of a horse shall be solely responsible for determining the age or sex of the horse claimed.
13.19 Racing Claimed Horse: Repealed
1 DE Reg. 713 (12/1/97)
2 DE Reg. 373 (9/1/98)
2 DE Reg. 2043 (5/1/99)
5 DE Reg. 849 (10/1/01)
5 DE Reg. 1710 (3/1/02)
6 DE Reg. 1205 (3/1/03)
7 DE Reg. 316 (9/1/03)
7 DE Reg. 1540 (5/1/04)
14.1 Post Time:
14.1.1 Post Time for the first race on each racing day shall be fixed by the Licensee. Post Time for subsequent races on the same program shall be fixed by the Pari-Mutuel Manager. (In Kent County and New Castle County, racing may be conducted during daylight or evening hours, but in Sussex County, no racing shall be held between the hours of sundown and sunrise.)
14.2 Horses in Paddock Not to be Touched:
14.2.1 No person shall touch a horse while in the paddock except its Jockey, its registered Owner, its registered Trainer, authorized stable personnel, the Paddock Judge, Horse Identifier, its assigned Valet, a Steward, Farrier or Outrider.
14.3 Trainer Responsibility:
14.3.1 The Trainer shall be responsible for arrival in the paddock, at the time prescribed by the Paddock Judge, of each horse entered by the Trainer and shall supervise the saddling of such horse. If a Trainer is to be absent from a track where his horses are participating in races, he must provide his own assistant Trainer or registered Trainer to substitute for him during his absence.
14.4 Withdrawal of a Horse:
14.4.1 Every horse whose starting is obligatory is expected to run the course, except that the Stewards may order the withdrawal of a horse at any time up to the actual start of a race.
14.5 Walkover:
14.5.1 If, at the time for saddling, only one horse or horses owned by only one stable shall have weighed out, such horse or horses of single ownership shall be ridden past the Stewards' stand, go to the post, and then move over the course before determination of the winner.
14.6 Parade to the Post; Time
14.6.1 All horses shall parade and carry their declared weight from the paddock to the starting post, such parade to pass the Stewards' stand. After passing the Stewards' stand once, horses may break formation and canter, warm up, or go as they please to the post. The parade to the post shall not exceed 12 minutes from the time the field enters upon the track, except in cases of unavoidable delay. If a Jockey is thrown on the way to the post, such Jockey must remount at the point at which thrown. In the event the Jockey is so injured as to require a substitute Jockey to be named for the horse by the Stewards, the horse shall be returned to the paddock where the horse shall be mounted by a substitute Jockey.
14.7 Lead Pony:
14.7.1 When, by permission of the Paddock Judge, a horse is led to the post by a pony, such horse may be excused from parading with the other horses, but must pass the Stewards' stand en route to the post. Lead ponies may be excluded from the saddling enclosure or walking ring, at the discretion of the Stewards and Paddock Judge.
14.8 Control of Horses and Jockeys by Starter:
14.8.1 The horses and Jockeys shall be under the control of the Starter from the moment they enter the track until the race is started. If an accident happens to any Jockey or his equipment, the Starter may grant a delay to permit the substitution of a Jockey or repair of equipment. During such delay, the Starter may permit any Jockey to dismount. Should a horse break through the gate or unseat its Jockey after any of the field is loaded in the starting gate and such horse is not immediately taken in hand by the Outrider and brought back for reloading, the Starter may unload the horses in the gate and reload such horses in their proper order when the runaway horse is brought back to position for reloading. All causes of delay shall be reported by the Starter to the Stewards. No person other than the Jockey or Starter or assistant Starter shall be permitted to strike a horse or attempt, by shouting or other fashion, to assist such horse in getting a start.
14.9 Starting Gate to be Used:
14.9.1 A starting gate shall be used in starting all races on the flat except in cases permitted by the Stewards. When a race is started without a starting gate, there shall be no start until, and no recall after, the Assistant Starter has dropped his flag in answer to the Starter.
14.10 Horses Left at Post:
14.10.1 If a door at the front of the starting gate should fail to open timely when the Starter dispatches the field or if a horse inadvertently has not been loaded in his scheduled position in the starting gate when the field is dispatched, thereby causing such horse to be left at the post, the Starter shall immediately report such circumstance to the Stewards who shall immediately post the "Inquiry" sign on the infield results board and advise the public to hold all mutuel tickets. After consulting with the Starter and viewing the patrol films or video tapes, the Stewards shall then determine whether such horse was precluded from obtaining a fair start.
14.10.2 If the Stewards find such horse was precluded from obtaining a fair start, the Stewards shall rule such horse a non-starter and shall order money wagered on such horse deducted from the pari-mutuel pool and refunded to holders of pari-mutual tickets thereon; provided, however, if such horse so ruled a non-starter is part of a mutuel entry and another horse in such entry is not left at the post, there shall be no pari-mutuel refund.
14.10.3 Stakes fees for such ruled non-starter shall be refunded to the Owner.
14.10.4 The Starter may, in his discretion, place an unruly or fractious horse on the outside of the starting gate. If such horse so stationed outside the starting gate by the Starter dwells or refuses to break with the field, and thereby is left at the post, there shall be no refund of pari-mutuel wagers thereon nor refund of stakes fees paid therefor.
14.11 Leaving Course; Losing Jockey:
14.11.1 If a horse leaves the course during the running of a race, such horse must turn back and run the course from the point at which it left the course, or such horse shall be ruled unplaced. Any horse which starts in a race, but does not cross the finish line, or is not ridden the distance of the race and across the finish line by the Jockey with whom it starts the race, shall be declared unplaced. Any portion of a purse that would normally accrue to such horse shall revert to Licensee.
14.12 Remounting:
14.12.1 In steeplechase and hurdle races, any horse losing his rider may be remounted by such rider in any part of the same field or enclosure in which the occurrence took place, but should such horse not be caught until he shall have entered another field, then he shall be ridden or brought back to the one in which he parted from his rider. Any rider so losing his horse may be assisted in catching him and remounting him without risk of disqualification.
Note. In artificially constructed steeplechase courses and in hurdle races, the spaces between the fences or hurdles and the space between the last fence and the finish are considered as fields or enclosures for the purposes of this Rule.
14.13 Course Markers:
14.13.1 In steeplechase and hurdle races, if any flag, post or boundary mark be placed in the course or displaced after the riders have been shown over the ground or have had the course pointed out to them, it shall not be considered binding or of any effect unless such addition or alteration shall have been particularly named, previous to starting, to all the riders in the race by one of the Stewards or their representative.
14.14 Refusal of Fence:
14.14.1 If a horse refuses any fence or hurdle in a jumping race and it can be proved to the satisfaction of the Stewards that he has been led or driven over it by any of the bystanders, or has been given a lead over it by anyone not riding in the race, such horse shall be disqualified.
14.15 Fouls:
14.15.1 A leading horse, when clear, is entitled to any part of the track. If a leading horse or any other horse in a race swerves or is ridden to either side so as to interfere with or intimidate or impede any other horse or Jockey, it is a foul. If a Jockey strikes another horse or Jockey, it is a foul. If, in the opinion of the Stewards, a foul alters the finish of a race, any offending horse may be disqualified by the Stewards.
14.16 Stewards to Determine Foul Riding:
14.16.1 Every Jockey shall be responsible for making his best effort to control and guide his mount in such a way as not to cause a foul. The Stewards shall take cognizance of riding which results in a foul, irrespective of whether an objection is lodged and, if in the opinion of the Stewards a foul is committed as a result of a Jockey not making his best effort to control and guide his mount to avoid a foul, whether intentionally or through carelessness or incompetence, such Jockey may be penalized at the discretion of the Stewards.
14.17 Horses to be Ridden Out:
14.17.1 Every horse in every race must be ridden so as to win or finish as near as possible to first and demonstrate the best and fastest performance of which it is capable at the time. No horse shall be eased up without adequate cause, even if it has no apparent chance to earn a portion of the purse money. A Jockey who unnecessarily causes a horse to shorten stride may be penalized at the discretion of the Stewards. Stewards shall take cognizance of marked reversal of form of all horses and shall conduct inquiries of the registered Owner, registered Trainer and all other persons connected with such horse suspected of unformful racing and, if the Stewards find that such horse was deliberately restrained or impeded in any way by any means so as not to win or finish as near as possible to first, any person found to have contributed to such circumstances may be penalized at the discretion of the Stewards.
14.18 Use of Whips, Other Means of Altering Performance:
14.18.1 Whips are to be used uniformly and the Stewards shall take cognizance of unusual use or non-use of a whip by a Jockey. No appliance, electrical or mechanical, other than the ordinary whip, shall be used to affect the speed of a horse in a race or workout. No sponge or other object may be used to interfere with the respiratory system of a horse. Use or non-use of ordinary racing equipment shall be consistent and any change thereof must be approved by the Stewards.
14.19 Official Order of Finish as to Pari-Mutuel Payoff:
14.19.1 If foul riding or other cause for disqualification of any horse in a race is brought to the attention of the Stewards by the time the last Jockey in a race has weighed in, the Stewards shall rule on the extent of disqualification, if any, and shall determine the placing of the horses in the official order of finish for purposes of pari-mutuel payoff. After the Stewards have caused the "Official" sign to be flashed on the infield result board, the order of finish so declared official shall be final and no right of appeal therefrom shall exist insofar as the pari-mutuel payoff is concerned. Any subsequent change in the order of finish or award of purse money after the result of a race has been so declared official by the Stewards shall in no way affect the pari-mutuel payoff.
15.1 Prohibition and Control of Medication:
15.1.1 Horses should not compete under the influence of drugs or therapeutic medications. However, horses, in training, like all athletes, may require the administration of therapeutic medications at times to diagnose or treat illness or injury. Certain drugs have no therapeutic use in horses in training, and these drugs should not be administered to horses in training, nor should they be permitted at any concentration in post-race samples. In this context:
15.1.1.1 No horse participating in a race shall carry in its body any substance foreign to the natural horse, except as hereinafter provided.
15.1.1.2 No foreign substance shall be administered to a horse (entered to race) by injection, oral administration, rectal infusion or suppository, or by inhalation within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled post time for the first race, except as hereinafter provided.
15.1.1.3 No person other than a veterinarian shall have in his possession any equipment for hypodermic injection, any substance for hypodermic administration or any foreign substance which can be administered internally to a horse by any route, except for an existing condition as prescribed by a veterinarian.
15.1.1.4 Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 15.1.1.3 above, any person may have in his possession within a race track enclosure, any chemical or biological substance for use on his own person, provided that, if such chemical substance is prohibited from being dispensed by any Federal law or law of this State without a prescription, he is in possession of documentary evidence that a valid prescription for such chemical or biological substance has been issued to him.
15.1.1.5 Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 15.1.1.3 above, any person may have in his possession within any race track enclosure, any hypodermic syringe or needle for the purpose of administering a chemical or biological substance to himself, provided that he has notified the Stewards: (1) of his possession of such device; (2) of the size of such device; and (3) of the chemical substance to be administered by such device and has obtained written permission for possession and use from the Stewards.
15.1.2 Definitions:
The following terms and words used in these Rules are defined as:
15.1.2.1 Hypodermic Injection shall mean any injection into or under the skin or mucous, including intradermal injection, subcutaneous injection, submucosal injection, intramuscular injection, intravenous injection and intraocular (intraconjunctival) injection.
15.1.2.2 Foreign Substances shall mean all substances except those which exist naturally in the untreated horse at normal physiological concentration, and shall also include substances foreign to a horse at levels that cause interference with testing procedures.
15.1.2.3 Veterinarian shall mean a veterinary practitioner authorized to practice at the race track.
15.1.2.4 Horse includes all horses registered for racing under the jurisdiction of the Commission and for the purposes of these Rules shall mean stallion, colt, gelding, ridgling, filly or mare.
15.1.2.5 Chemist shall mean the Commission's chemist.
15.1.2.6 Test Sample shall mean any body substance including, but not limited to, blood or urine taken from a horse under the supervision of the Commission's Veterinarian and in such manner as prescribed by the Commission for the purpose of analysis.
15.1.2.7 Race Day shall mean the 24-hour period prior to the scheduled post time for the first race.
15.1.3 Foreign Substances:
15.1.3.1 No horse participating in a race shall carry in its body any foreign substance except as provided in Rule 15.1.3.1.3:
15.1.3.1.1 A finding by the chemist that a foreign substance is present in the test sample shall be prima facie evidence that such foreign substance was administered and carried in the body of the horse while participating in a race. Such a finding shall also be taken as prima facie evidence that the Trainer and agents responsible for the care or custody of the horse has/have been negligent in the handling or care of the horse.
15.1.3.1.2 A finding by the chemist of a foreign substance or an approved substance used in violation of Rule 15.1 in any test sample of a horse participating in a race shall result in the horse being disqualified from purse money or other awards, except for purposes of pari-mutuel wagering which shall in no way be affected.
15.1.3.1.3 A foreign substance of accepted therapeutic value may be administered as prescribed by a Veterinarian when test levels and guidelines for its use have been established by the Veterinary-Chemist Advisory Committee of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners and approved by the Commission. Aminocaproic acid may be present in a horse's body while it is participating in a race, subject to all the provisions of these Rules.
15.1.3.1.4 The only approved non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that may be present in a horse's body while it is participating in a race is phenylbutazone/oxyphenobutazone in the level stated in 15.1.3.1.5 or 15.1.3.1.6. The presence of any other NSAID at any test level is forbidden.
Revised: 1/6/92.
15.1.3.1.5 The test level of phenylbutazone under this Rule shall not be in excess of two point five (2.5) micrograms (mcg) per milliliter (ml) of plasma without penalties in the following format:
Micrograms per milliliter Penalties
0 to 2.5 No action
2.6 to 4.9 First Offense-$250.00 fine
2.6 to 4.9 Second Offense within 365 days
$500.00 fine
2.6 to 4.9 Third Offense within 365 days $500.00
fine and/or Suspension and/or
Loss of Purse
5.0 and Over Fine, Suspension, Loss of Purse
15.1.3.1.6 The test level for oxphenobutazone under this Rule shall not be in excess of two (2) micrograms (mcg) per milliliter (ml) of plasma.
Micrograms per milliliter Penalties
0 to 2.5 No action
2.6 to 4.9 First Offense-$250.00 fine
2.6 to 4.9 Second Offense within 365 days
$500.00 fine
2.6 to 4.9 Third Offense within 365 days $500.00
fine and/or Suspension and/or
Loss of Purse
5.0 and Over Fine, Suspension, Loss of Purse
15.1.3.1.7 No bleeder medication otherwise permissible under this Rule may be administered to a horse within one hour of the scheduled post time of the horse's race. The administration of salix to a horse on race day will be governed by Rule 15.2.
15.1.3.1.8 If a horse is to receive one or more bleeder medications, aminocaproic acid and/or salix, the trainer shall declare said use at the time of entry.
15.1.3.1.9 A veterinarian administering bleeder medications shall report the administration of such medications on the same form that is used to report the administration of salix.
15.1.3.1.10 The race program shall denote what medication(s) have been administered to a horse in the race and the past performance lines in the program, if any, shall denote any medications administered to said horse in those races.
15.1.3.1.11 Any horse running on permissible bleeder medication under these Rules shall remain on the medication for a period of not less than sixty (60) days before being permitted to race without the permissible bleeder medication.
15.1.3.1.12 The detection of permissible bleeder medications (salix and/or aminocaproic acid) in a horse following the running of a race which was not declared or reported to the Stewards, may result in the disqualification of the horse and other disciplinary action imposed upon the trainer and administering veterinarian. Conversely, the absence of bleeder medication following the running of a race in which was declared and reported by a trainer and/or veterinarian, may result in the disqualification of the horse and other disciplinary action imposed upon the trainer and administering veterinarian.
15.1.3.1.13 Erythropietin (EPO)
A finding by the official chemist that the antibody of Erythropietin (EPO) was present in a post-race test specimen of a horse shall be promptly reported in writing to the Stewards. The Stewards shall notify the owner and trainer of the positive test result for Erythropietin antibodies. The Stewards shall notify the Commission Veterinarian of the name of the horse for placement on the Veterinarian's List, pursuant to Rule 5.32, if the positive test result indicates that the horse is unfit to race. Any horse placed on the Veterinarian's List pursuant to this Rule shall not be permitted to enter a race until the owner or trainer, at their own expense, provides proof of a negative test result for EPO antibodies from a laboratory approved by the Commission provided said test sample is obtained under collection procedures acceptable to the Commission or its designee under these Rules.
Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of these Rules, a horse shall not be subject to disqualification from the race and from any share of the purse in the race and the trainer of the horse shall not be subject to application of trainer's responsibility based on the finding by the laboratory that the antibody of Erythropoietin was present in the sample taken from that horse.
15.2 Bleeder Medication:
15.2.1 Notwithstanding anything in the Rules of Racing to the contrary, the Stewards may permit the administration of Furosemide (Salix) to control epistaxis (bleeding) to horses under the following conditions:
15.2.1.1 A horse which, during a race or workout at a duly licensed race track in this State or within the first hour immediately following such a race or workout, is observed by the Commission's Veterinarian or the Stewards to be shedding blood from one or both nostrils or is found to have bled internally. (An endoscopic examination of the horse, in order to confirm bleeding, may be performed by the practicing veterinarian in the presence of the Commission's Veterinarian at the detention barn within one (1) hour of workout or race.)
15.2.1.2 A horse which has been certified as a bleeder in another jurisdiction may be placed on the bleeder list provided that the other jurisdiction qualified it as a bleeder using criteria satisfactory to the Commission's Veterinarian and the Stewards. It shall be the absolute responsibility of the Trainer to report bleeders from other jurisdictions to the Commission's Veterinarian or Stewards on official forms from that State prior to entry.
15.2.1.3 The Commission's Veterinarian shall be responsible to maintain an up-to-date "bleeder" list and the list shall be available in the Racing Secretary's office.
15.2.1.4 A horse in the Bleeder Program shall be required to be brought to an area designated by the Licensee and approved by the Commission not later than three and one-half (3 ½) hours before post time for the race in which it is entered. During the 3 ½ hour period, the horse shall be under the care and custody of a groom or caretaker appointed by the Trainer. The approved Furosemide medication may be administered by a licensed practicing veterinarian within three (3) hours before post time. The practicing veterinarian shall make a report to the Stewards of the treatment on forms provided by the Stewards on the same day of treatment.
15.2.1.5 (Deleted.)
15.2.1.6 A horse which bled for the first time shall not be permitted to run for a period of ten (10) calendar days. A horse which bleeds a second time shall not be permitted to run for thirty (30) calendar days. A horse which bleeds a third time shall not be permitted to run for ninety (90) days. A horse which bleeds a fourth time shall be barred from further racing in the State of Delaware, except that if a horse's fourth bleeding incident occurs within one year of the first bleeding incident, then the horse shall not be barred but shall not be permitted to run for one year. If a horse has bled three times but at least twelve months have passed since the last bleeding incident, then if the horse bleeds for a fourth time, the horse shall not be permitted to run for twelve (12) months, and any further bleeding incidents will prevent the horse from racing for another twelve (12) month period. A positive endoscopic examination shall be classed as a first time bleeder.
Revised: 6/19/92.
15.2.1.7 Dosage. Furosemide (Salix) shall be administered intravenously, or intramuscularly as permitted under Rule 15.02.1.8, to horses in the Bleeder Program by a licensed practicing veterinarian, who will administer not more than 500 milligrams nor less than 100 milligrams, subject to the following conditions:
15.2.1.8 The dosage administered may not vary by more than 250 milligrams from race to race without the permission of the Commission Veterinarian.
15.2.1.9 Restrictions. No one except a licensed practicing veterinarian shall possess equipment or any substance for injectable administration on the race track complex, and no horse is to receive furosemide (lasix) in oral or intramuscular form, except that the stewards may approve intramuscular administration for a horse based on written documentation from the Commission veterinarian and the trainer's veterinarian.
15.2.1.10 Post-Race Quantification. As indicated by post-race quantification, a horse may not carry in its body at the time of the running of the race more than 100 nanograms of furosemide (Salix) per milliliter of plasma in conjunction with a urine that has a specific gravity of 1.010 or lower.
15.2.1.10.1 If post-race analysis indicates that the specific gravity of a horse's urine is less than 1.010 and the concentration of furosemide in the blood plasma is greater than 100 nanograms per milliliter, the stewards shall take the following action (for each horse):
15.2.1.10.1.1 If such overage is the first violation of this rule for this horse, the trainer and/or attending veterinarian shall be issued a warning and be required to participate in a review of all pertinent Commission rules and subsequent penalties at a time scheduled by the stewards. If the trainer wishes to contest the overage, the trainer shall follow a specific procedure under which all of the following conditions must be met:
15.2.1.10.1.2 the horse in question must report to the detention barn four hours prior to post time.
15.2.1.10.1.3 the same handler/groom must stay with the horse at all times.
15.2.1.10.1.4 a blood sample shall be taken by the Commission veterinarian before the administration of furosemide.
15.2.1.10.1.5 the trainer's veterinarian must administer furosemide at a dosage not to exceed 500 milligrams.
15.2.1.10.1.6 the Commission veterinarian must witness the administration of furosemide.
15.2.1.10.1.7 the horse must return to the detention barn after the race for the taking of post-race blood and urine testing by the Commission veterinarian or assistant, no matter how the horse finishes in the race.
15.2.1.10.2 If, after all of the above conditions are met, the post race tests reveal that the specific gravity of the horse's urine is again below 1.010 and the concentration of furosemide in the blood plasma is greater than 100 nanograms per milliliter of plasma, and the blood sample taken in the detention barn before the administration of furosemide tests negative for furosemide, the horse will be placed on an "exempt" list and the first offense will be removed, provided further that any horse on the "exempt" list will be required to have all future prerace Salix treatments administered pursuant to the procedure set forth in Rules 15.2.1.9.1.2 through 15.2.1.9.1.7 set forth above. Any horse that is placed on the "exempt" list and later fails to follow the prerace procedure for Salix administration set forth in Rules 15.2.1.9.1.2 through 15.2.1.9.1.7 above will be removed from the "exempt" list, disqualified from the race, and subject to the penalties in this Rule for subsequent offenses.
15.2.1.10.3 If such overage is the second violation of this rule for the same horse, the trainer and/or attending veterinarian shall be fined a minimum of $100.00 and a maximum of $500.00.
15.2.1.10.4 If such overage is the third violation of this rule for the same horse, the trainer and/or attending veterinarian shall be issued a minimum suspension of seven (7) days and a maximum suspension of fifteen (15) days and shall be fined a minimum of $100.00 and a maximum of $1,000.00, and the stewards in their discretion may order loss of purse as an additional penalty.
15.2.1.10.5 If such overage is the fourth violation for the same horse, the trainer and/or attending veterinarian shall be issued a suspension of fifteen (15) days to thirty (30) days, and shall be fined $250.00 to $1,000.00, and the stewards will order loss of purse as a mandatory penalty.
15.3 Responsibility for Prohibited Administration:
15.3.1 Any person found to have administered or authorized a medication, drug or substance which caused or could have caused a violation of Rules 15.1 or 15.2, or caused, participated or attempted to participate in any way in such administration, shall be subject to disciplinary action.
15.3.2 The registered Trainer of a horse found to have been administered a medication, drug or substance in violation of Rules 15.1 or 15.2 shall bear the burden of proof to show freedom from negligence in the exercise of a high degree of care in safeguarding such horse from being tampered with and, failing to prove such freedom from negligence (or reliance on the professional ability of a licensed Veterinarian), shall be subject to disciplinary action.
15.3.3 The Assistant Trainer, groom, stable watchman or any other person having the immediate care and custody of a horse found to have been administered a medication, drug or substance in violation of Rules 15.1 or 15.2, if found negligent in guarding or protecting such horse from being tampered with, shall be subject to disciplinary action.
15.3.4 A licensed Veterinarian shall be responsible for any medication, drug or substance that he administers, prescribes or causes to be administered by his direction on a horse. If found to have made an error in type or quantity of same administered and if in reliance upon the correctness thereof a Trainer races such treated horse in violation of Rules 15.1 and 15.2, such licensed Veterinarian shall be subject to disciplinary action.
15.4 Reports of Administration:
15.4.1 Before a licensed Veterinarian administers or prescribes any drug or restricted substance for a horse, he shall ascertain by reasonable inquiry whether the horse has been entered to race at any track and, if the horse has been entered, he shall not administer or prescribe any drug or restricted substance within the time or manner restricted by these Rules.
15.4.2 If, however, an emergency exists involving the life or health of the horse, he may proceed to treat or prescribe for the horse but shall report the matter as promptly as practicable to the Commission Veterinarian and Stewards.
15.4.3 Any Veterinarian practicing at any Delaware race track shall file a daily report with the Stewards and the Commission Veterinarian as to any medication prescribed or administered or professional service performed. This report shall be filed in person or postmarked within a period of forty-eight (48) hours from the time of treatment. Detection of any unreported medication, drug or substance by the Commission's Chemist in a pre-race or post-race test may be grounds for disciplinary action against such Veterinarian.
15.4.4 Such daily reports shall accurately reflect the identity of the horse treated, diagnosis, time of treatment, type and dosage of medication, drug or substance and method of administration.
15.4.5 Such daily reports shall remain confidential except that the Commission's Veterinarian may compile general data therefrom to assist the Commission in formulating policies or rules and the Stewards may review the same in investigating a possible violation of these rules. See Rule 11.2.8 respecting a public list of horses declared to race on medication.
15.4.6 When making an entry, it shall be the duty of the Trainer or his representative, as required by Rule 11.02(d), to disclose and declare to the Racing Secretary or his representative whether said horse will race on any medication permitted by these rules.
15.5 Report Prior to Race of Cessation or Reduction of Medication:
15.5.1 For any horse entered to run in a race, a timely report of the elimination or reduction since its last race in the level of Phenylbutazone and/or similar medications administered to it at the time of such last race shall be made to the Commission's Veterinarian by the horse's Owner, Trainer, attending Veterinarian and/or any other person having supervision over, or custody of, such horse.
Violation of this Rule will constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
15.6 Bettors' Safeguard:
15.6.1 To help protect against inconsistent performances, a horse which last raced after having been administered Phenylbutazone and/or similar medication shall not be permitted to race without having been administered the same or similar medication at a comparable level, unless the Commission's Veterinarian grants his prior, express approval that such horse may race notwithstanding that the medication program to which it was subjected at the time of its last race has subsequently been eliminated or reduced.
15.6.2 Violation of any aspect of this Rule by an Owner, Trainer, attending Veterinarian or any other person having supervision or custody of the horse will constitute grounds for disciplinary action as provided by these Rules.
15.7 Commission List:
15.7.1 As a guide to Owners, Trainers and Veterinarians, the Commission may from time to time publish a list of medications, shown by brand and generic names, specifically prohibited for racing. Such list shall not be considered exclusive and medications shown thereon shall be considered only as among those, along with others not so listed, prohibited by general classification under Rule 15.1.
15.8 Detention Area:
15.8.1 Each Licensee may provide and maintain on its grounds a fenced enclosure sufficient in size and facilities to accommodate stabling of horses temporarily detained for the taking of sample specimens for chemical testing; such detention area shall be under the supervision and control of the Commission's Veterinarian.
15.9 Horses to be Tested:
15.9.1 The Stewards may at any time order the taking of a blood, urine, or saliva specimen for testing from any horse entered. Any Owner or Trainer may at any time request that a specimen be taken from a horse he owns or trains by Commission's Veterinarian and be tested by Commission's Chemist, provided the costs of such testing are borne by the Owner or Trainer requesting such test.
15.9.1.1 Every effort shall be made to collect both blood and urine samples from all horses selected for post-race testing. Blood samples shall be tested;
15.9.1.1.1 For determination of those drugs with regulatory thresholds;
15.9.1.1.2 For those drugs not detectable in urine; and
15.9.1.1.3 To determine, when possible, whether a positive test result is consistent with the documented administration of the drug.
15.10 Procedure for Taking Specimens:
15.10.1 Horses from which specimens are to be drawn shall be taken to the detention area at the prescribed time and remain there until released by the Commission veterinarian. Only the owner, trainer, groom, or hotwalker of horses to be tested shall be admitted to the detention area without permission of the Commission veterinarian.
15.10.1.1 Blood samples must be collected at a consistent time, preferable not later than one hour post-race.
15.10.2 Stable equipment other than equipment necessary for washing and cooling out a horse shall be prohibited in the detention area.
15.10.2.1 Buckets and water shall be furnished by the Commission veterinarian.
15.10.2.2 If a body brace is to be used, it shall be supplied by the responsible trainer and administered only with the permission and in the presence of the Commission veterinarian.
15.10.2.3 A licensed veterinarian shall attend a horse in the detention area only in the presence of the Commission veterinarian.
15.10.3 One of the following persons shall be present and witness the taking of the specimen from a horse and so signify in writing:
15.10.3.1 The owner;
15.10.3.2 The responsible trainer who, in the case of a claimed horse, shall be the person in whose name the horse raced; or
15.10.3.3 A stable representative designated by such owner or trainer.
15.10.4 All urine containers shall be supplied by the Commission laboratory and shall be sealed with the laboratory security seal which shall not be broken, except in the presence of the witness as provided by Rule 15.10.3.
15.10.5 Blood vacutainers will also be supplied by the Commission laboratory in sealed packages as received from the manufacturer.
15.10.6 Samples taken from a horse, by the Commission veterinarian or his assistant at the detention barn, shall be collected and in double containers and designated as the "primary" and "secondary" samples.
15.10.6.1 These samples shall be sealed with tamper-proof tape and bear a portion of the multiple part "identification tag" that has identical printed numbers only. The other portion of the tag bearing the same printed identification number shall be detached in the presence of the witness.
15.10.6.2 The Commission Veterinarian shall:
15.10.6.2.1 Identify the horse from which the specimen was taken.
15.10.6.2.2 Document the race and day, verified by the witness; and
15.10.6.2.3 Place the detached portions of the identification tags in sealed envelope for delivery only to the stewards.
15.10.6.3 After both portions of samples have been identified in accordance with this section, the "primary" sample shall be delivered to the official chemist designated by the Commission.
15.10.6.3.1 Laboratories conducting post-race sample analysis must have access to LC/MS instrumentation for screening and/or confirmation purposes.
15.10.6.4 The "secondary" sample shall remain in the custody of the Commission veterinarian at the detention area and urine samples shall be frozen and blood samples refrigerated in a locked refrigerator/freezer.
15.10.6.5 The Commission veterinarian shall take every precaution to ensure that neither the Commission chemist nor any member of the laboratory staff shall know the identity of the horse from which a specimen was taken prior to the completion of all testing.
15.10.6.6 When the Commission chemist has reported that the "primary" sample delivered contains no prohibited drug, the "secondary" sample shall be properly disposed.
15.10.6.7 If after a horse remains a reasonable time in the detention area and a specimen can not be taken from the horse, the Commission veterinarian may permit the horse to be returned to its barn and usual surroundings for the taking of a specimen under the supervision of the Commission veterinarian.
15.10.6.8 If one hundred (100) milliliters (ml.) or less of urine is obtained, it will not be split, but will be considered the "primary" sample and will be tested as other "primary" samples.
15.10.6.9 Two (2) blood samples shall be collected in twenty (20) milliliters vacutainers, one for the "primary" and one for the "secondary" sample.
15.10.6.10 In the event of an initial finding of a prohibited drug or in violation of these Rules, the Commission chemist shall notify the Commission, both orally and in writing, and an oral notice shall be issued by the Commission to the owner and trainer or other responsible person no more than twenty-four (24) hours after the receipt of the initial finding, unless extenuating circumstances require a longer period, in which case the Commission shall provide notice as soon as possible in order to allow for testing of the "secondary" sample.
15.10.6.10.1 If testing of the "secondary" sample is desired, the owner, trainer, or other responsible person shall so notify the Commission in writing within 48 hours after notification of the initial positive test or within a reasonable period of time established by the Commission after consultation with the Commission chemist. The reasonable period is to be calculated to insure the integrity of the sample and the preservation of the alleged illegal substance.
15.10.6.10.2 Testing of the "secondary" samples shall be performed at a referee laboratory selected by representatives of the owner, trainer, or other responsible person from a list of not less than two (2) laboratories approved by the Commission.
15.10.6.11 The Commission shall bear the responsibility of preparing and shipping the sample, and the cost of preparation, shipping, and testing at the referee laboratory shall be assumed by the person requesting the testing, whether it be the owner, trainer, or other person charged.
15.10.6.11.1 A Commission representative and the owner, trainer, or other responsible person or a representative of the persons notified under these Rules may be present at the time of the opening, repackaging, and testing of the "secondary" sample to ensure its identity and that the testing is satisfactorily performed.
15.10.6.11.2 The referee laboratory shall be informed of the initial findings of the Commission chemist prior to the making the test.
15.10.6.11.3 If the finding of the referee laboratory is proven to be of sufficient reliability and does not confirm the finding of the initial test performed by the Commission chemist and in the absence of other independent proof of the administration of a prohibited drug to the horse in question, it shall be concluded that there is insubstantial evidence upon which to charge anyone with a violation.
15.10.6.12 The Commission veterinarian shall be responsible for safeguarding all specimens while in his possession and shall cause the specimens to be delivered only to the Commission chemist as soon as the possible after sealing, in a manner so as not to reveal the identity of a horse from which the sample was taken.
15.10.6.13 If an Act of God, power failure, accident, strike or other action beyond the control of the Commission occurs, the results of the primary official test shall be accepted as prima facie evidence.
15.11 Commission Chemist:
15.11.1 The Commission's Chemist, who shall be a member of the Association of Official Racing Chemists, shall conduct tests on specimens provided him in order to detect and identify prohibited substances therein and report on such in such a manner, and according to such procedures, as the Commission from time to time may approve and/or prescribe.
15.12 Prohibited Practices
15.12.1 The following conduct shall be prohibited for all licensees:
15.12.1.1 The possession and/or use of a drug, substance, or medication, specified below, on the premises of a licensed race track under the jurisdiction of the Commission for which a recognized analytical method has not been developed to detect and confirm the administration of such substance including but not limited to erythropoietin, darbepoietin, and perfluorcarbon emulsions; or the use of which may endanger the health and welfare of the horse or endanger the safety of the rider; or the use of which may adversely affect the integrity of racing.
15.12.1.2 The possession and/or use of a drug, substance, or medication on the premises of a facility under the jurisdiction of the regulatory body that has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States.
15.12.1.3 The practice, administration, or application of Intermittent Hypoxic Treatment by External Device which is performed on the premises of a facility under the jurisdiction of the Commission, and which may endanger the health, safety, and welfare of the horse or endanger the safety of the jockey, or the use of which may adversely affect the integrity of racing. Intermittent Hypoxic Treatment is the administration of hypoxic gas to a horse for the purpose of enhancing aerobic metabolism by simulating training at a high altitude.
15.12.1.4 The use of a nasogastric tube (a tube longer than six inches, inserted in a horses’ nostril) for the administration of any substance within the 24-hour period considered raceday is forbidden without prior permission of the Commission.
15.12.1.5 The possession and/or use of blood doping agents, including but not limited to the following list, on the premises of a facility under the jurisdiction of the Commission is forbidden: Erythropietin; Darbepietin; Oxyglobin; Hemopure.
15.13 Shock Wave Therapy/Instruments
15.13.1 No person may possess on a licensee’s race track an instrument used for shock wave therapy.
15.13.2 No horse may be treated with any form of shock wave therapy within ten (10) days of racing (the day of the treatment shall be considered the first day in counting the number of days).
15.13.3 The administration of shock wave therapy may only be performed by a licensed veterinarian. A veterinarian using shock wave therapy shall document and report each treatment on his daily medication report.
15.13.4 A Trainer or Veterinarian who has been found to have violated any of the above provisions of this Rule shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by the stewards and/or Commission including but not limited to a maximum suspension of ninety (90) days.
15.14 Blood Gas Testing
15.14.1 The Commission may use a testing machine that measures carbon dioxide levels in pre-race samples using a Base Excess testing protocol. A trainer whose horse is selected for blood gas testing and fails to report for the test will be penalized as if there was a positive test result.
15.14.2 Under this protocol, the prohibitive Base Excess concentrations are as follows: Base Excess level of 10.0 mmol/l (mEq/l) or higher for non-furosemide (Salix) treated horses and Base Excess (BE) level of 12.0 mmol/l (mEq/l) or higher for furosemide (Salix) treated horse. The level of uncertainty will be included before it is considered a violation of these Rules. The level of uncertainty is 0.4 mmol/l (mEq/l) and a positive test report must include this level of uncertainty. A horse must show a Base Excess (BE) level of 10.4 mmol/l (mEq/l) or higher for non-furosemide (Salix) treated horse and Base Excess (BE) level of 12.4 mmol/l (mEq/l) or higher for furosemide (Salix) treated horse, in order for a violation to be reported under this Rule.
15.14.3 A licensee has the right, pursuant to the quarantine procedure outlined at 15.15, or by such other procedures as may be established from time to time by the Commission, to attempt to prove that a horse has a naturally high carbon dioxide level in excess of the above-mentioned levels.
15.15 Quarantine Procedure for Carbon Dioxide Positive Tests (Prerace Or Postrace)
15.15.1 Detention/Quarantine of Horses: The owner or trainer must request use of the quarantine procedure by sending written notice to the Stewards within forty-eight (48) hours of notification of the positive carbon dioxide test report. The owner or trainer will then be permitted, totally at his/her own expense, to make the necessary scheduling arrangements with the Stewards and the Commission Veterinarian. The horse in question will be quarantined on the grounds for periodic blood gas testing by the DTRC (up to three days) at the trainer's expense. All caretaker activities for the horse in question will be the responsibility of the horse's trainer.
15.15.2 Procedure: The owner or trainer will be responsible for providing the DTRC with a minimum check for $1,500.00 to cover the costs for the quarantine. A professionally trained Track Security Officer must be with the horse at all times, and the Security Officer must be knowledgeable about the importance of monitoring all activity pertaining to the quarantined horse.
15.15.3 The quarantine of a horse is subject to the following mandatory requirements:
15.15.3.1 The owner or trainer will be required to deposit sufficient funds with the DTRC Stewards to cover the costs of the quarantine of the horse. The minimum quarantine cost will be $1,500, and this figure may be higher if additional special circumstances are required for a particular horse. None of these procedures will be initiated until the Commission has in its possession a certified check or other method of payment acceptable to the Commission. The owner or trainer is responsible for all costs for the quarantine, including but not limited to, the costs of: stall bedding, daily cleaning of the stall, feed and hay, stall rent, hourly guard salary, portable toilet rental, veterinary charge, courier or shipping charges to the laboratory, laboratory analysis costs. Unused funds will be returned to the trainer.
15.15.3.2 The expected period of the quarantine will be seventy-two hours.
15.15.3.3 The owner or trainer is required to execute a reasonable liability waiver form if requested to do so by the track for the quarantine of the horse on track grounds.
15.15.3.4 The owner or trainer is obligated to reimburse the track if the racing association is required to purchase additional insurance to cover risks from the quarantine of the trainer's horse. The owner or trainer is also responsible for any additional costs required by the track to pad or otherwise specially equip the quarantine stall.
15.15.3.5 All activity of the quarantined horse is observed, documented, and recorded by security officers for the track and the DTRC.
15.15.3.6 The Commission will be responsible for arranging for and providing for bedding, feed, water, and daily cleaning of the stall, all of which are at the owner's expense. Feed for the horse will be purchased by DTRC officials as specified by the owner or trainer. Samples of the feed will be retained by the DTRC designated official.
15.15.3.7 Each bale of hay/straw will be intact and uncut for inspection of contraband. Four small samples of hay are to be taken from the bale of hay used to feed the animal (one from each end of the bale of hay and two from the middle of the bale of hay). These samples with the ingredient tags from the bag of feed used by the horse will be retained by the DTRC designated official.
15.15.3.8 Every trainer, groom, or caretaker is subject to continuous observation and may be searched when with the horse for contraband.
15.15.3.9 Horses may be trained, but if leg paints or salves are used, they must be new and in unopened containers, and the track Security Officer must monitor the preparation of the horse.
15.15.3.10 A Security Officer must observe the horse during training and ensure that it does not leave the track except to return to the quarantine stall.
15.15.3.11 A sick horse must only be determined ill by the Commission’s Veterinarian and the quarantine of the horse will be terminated. Any bills incurred for the quarantine of the horse prior to the illness and termination of the detention will be prorated.
15.15.3.12 Stalls for the quarantine of horses are designated by the Stewards of the DTRC, in cooperation with the racetrack.
15.15.3.13 Trainers can restrict water based on previous pre-race preparation schedules.
15.15.3.14 Trainers are expected to train their horse in the same manner as the horse was trained on previous racing events. The horse will be equipped with all the items that it would normally carry, taken to the paddock, and handled in a manner similar to previous racing events.
15.15.3.15 Blood samples will be taken from the quarantined horse by the Commission Veterinarian, as he or she deems appropriate and necessary during the quarantine period. A blood sample should be taken when the horse first enters the quarantine stall and again at the pre-arranged time between sixty (60) and seventy-two (72) hours. At the discretion of the Commission, another sample may be taken between the initial sample and the sample taken at the cessation of the quarantine period. Blood samples will only be taken from the horse that is at rest for a period of time approved by the Commission Veterinarian. The owner or trainer or his/her representative must be present and witness the collection of the blood samples. Blood samples will be shipped promptly to the Commission's designated testing laboratory, pursuant to the Commission's standard chain-of-custody procedures.
15.15.3.16 At the conclusion of the quarantine period, the party requesting the quarantine will be provided timely notice of the test results from the DTRC. The trainer may present such evidence at a hearing before the Stewards if he or she attempts to prove that the horse has a naturally high carbon dioxide level.
1 DE Reg. 508 (11/1/97)
1 DE Reg. 1184 (2/1/98)
3 DE Reg. 754 (12/1/99)
4 DE Reg. 179 (7/1/00)
4 DE Reg. 1131 (1/1/01)
4 DE Reg. 1821 (5/1/01)
6 DE Reg. 641 (11/1/02)
6 DE Reg. 1205 (3/1/03)
7 DE Reg. 766 (12/1/03)
7 DE Reg. 1540 (5/1/04)
8 DE Reg. 1699 (6/1/05)
