This week’s ‘From The Stand’ from will look at two different races in which a horse went inside one pylon during the race and why it is considered a violation in one race, but not a violation in the other
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Woodbine Racetrack – April 29, 2010, Race 5 (click here for the chart)
A Judges Inquiry took place in Race 5 at Woodbine Racetrack on April 29, 2010, concerning a possible pylon violation by #8 She Just Rocks, driven by Mark MacDonald, in the stretch. She Just Rocks finished unofficially third.
The Judges referred to ORC Rule 18:08.02 while reviewing the Inquiry tape.
ORC Rule 18:08.02 reads, “if, at a racetrack which does not have a continuous solid hub rail, a horse while on stride or part of the horse’s sulky leaves the course by going inside the hub rail or other demarcation which constitutes the inside limits of the course, the offending horse shall be placed back where, in the opinion of the Judges, the action gave the horse an unfair advantage over other horses in the race, or the action helped the horse improve its position in the race. In addition, when an act of interference causes a horse or part of the horse’s sulky to cross the inside limits of the course, and the horse is placed by the Judges, the offending horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered. Drivers, who in the opinion of the Judges, leave the racing strip when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another driver and/or horse may be fined or suspended by the Judges.”
After reviewing the Inquiry film, the Judges ruled that She Just Rocks went inside one pylon in the stretch and by doing so gained an unfair advantage by improving her position in the race. The front tower replay shows that by leaving the course, She Just Rocks was able to pass #2 Four Starz Ring (Phil Hudon) on the inside. As the bolded section of ORC Rule 18:08.02 states above, this is a violation of the pylon rule.
As a result of the infraction, She Just Rocks was third placed eighth for going inside one pylon and gaining an unfair advantage in the stretch.
Flamboro Downs – April 28, 2010 – Race 7 (click here for the chart)
A Judges Inquiry took place in Race 7 at Flamboro Downs on April 28, 2010, where the Judges looked at a possible pylon violation by #3 Spirit Seelster, driven by Jody Jamieson, past the three-eighths and on the way to the half. Spirit Seelster finished unofficially fourth.
The Judges referred to ORC Rule 18:08.02 while reviewing the Inquiry tape.
ORC Rule 18:08.02 reads, “if, at a racetrack which does not have a continuous solid hub rail, a horse while on stride or part of the horse’s sulky leaves the course by going inside the hub rail or other demarcation which constitutes the inside limits of the course, the offending horse shall be placed back where, in the opinion of the Judges, the action gave the horse an unfair advantage over other horses in the race, or the action helped the horse improve its position in the race. In addition, when an act of interference causes a horse or part of the horse’s sulky to cross the inside limits of the course, and the horse is placed by the Judges, the offending horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered. Drivers, who in the opinion of the Judges, leave the racing strip when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another driver and/or horse may be fined or suspended by the Judges.”
After reviewing the Inquiry film, the Judges determined that Spirit Seelster was inside one pylon (the first yellow pylon) and was over the second pylon. By going inside the first yellow pylon, the Judges ruled that Spirit Seelster did not gain any unfair advantage over another horse in the race and did not improve her position. As a result, Spirit Seelster was not in violation of any of the pylon rules and was officially made the fourth-place finisher.
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