ORC Feature: From The Stand - June 2, 2010

Published: June 2, 2010 08:46 am EDT

A Judges Inquiry took place in Race 6 at Mohawk Racetrack on May 29, 2010, concerning a break in stride by #7 Western Tsunami

, driven by Randy Waples, in the stretch. Western Tsunami finished unofficially second. (click here for the chart)

The Judges referred to ORC Rule 22:27 when assessing the break of #7 Western Tsunami.

ORC Rule 22:27 reads, “When a horse breaks from its gait in a race the driver shall: (a) take the horse to the inside or outside of other horses where clearance exists; (b) properly attempt to pull the horse to its gait; and (c) continuously lose ground while on the break. If there has been no violation of (a), (b) or (c) above, the horse shall not be set back unless a contending horse on its gait is lapped on the hind quarter of the breaking horse at the finish, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, if interference caused by another driver(s) or horse(s) has caused the horse to be on a break at the finish, the Judges may, in their discretion, determine not to set the horse back even if a contending horse on its gait is lapped on the hind quarter of the breaking horse at the finish.”

From reviewing the Inquiry film, the Judges determined that driver Randy Waples had Western Tsunami back on gait and pacing through the wire. Western Tsunami did not interfere with any other horses while off stride, so the only possible rule violation was the bolded section of ORC Rule 22:27(c) stated above. The Judges ruled that while Western Tsunami was off stride, he did in fact continuously lose ground and therefore followed all of the breaking rules.

As a result, Western Tsunami was made the official second place finisher.


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