A Judges Inquiry took place during the tenth race at Flamboro Downs on September 17, 2010 that addressed a possible pylon violation
by the unofficial fourth-place finisher, #6 Escapethebreeze (Shawn Arnott), at the top of the stretch. (click here for the chart).
The Judges referred to ORC Rule 18:08.02 for the Inquiry. ORC Rule 18:08.02 states:
“A horse while on stride, or part of the horse’s sulky, that leaves the race course by going inside the pylons which constitutes the inside limits of the course, when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another driver and/or horse, shall be in violation of this rule. In addition, when an act of interference causes a horse, or part of the horse’s sulky, to cross inside the pylons and the horse is placed by the Judges, the offending horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered.
For the purposes of placing the following shall apply:
1. If a horse while on stride, or part of the horse’s sulky goes inside two (2) consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed behind all horses that are lapped on to the offending horse at the wire,
2. If a horse while on stride, or any part of the horse’s sulky, goes inside three (3) or more consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed last,
3. If in the opinion of the Judges a horse while on stride, or part of the horse’s sulky, goes inside a pylon(s) and that action gave the horse an unfair advantage over other horses in the race or the action helped improve its position in the race, the horse may be placed at the discretion of the Judges.”
The Judges viewed the pan, front and back tower shots for the Inquiry and the video is available below.
The Judges were trying to determine how many, if any, pylons #6 Escapethebreeze went inside around the final turn. They also checked to ensure that #6 Escapethebreeze was not getting any pressure from the outside that would force him inside the pylons.
#6 Escapethebreeeze can be found sitting fourth on the rail for driver Shawn Arnott as the field approaches the top of the stretch. Using the front tower shot and looking at the first yellow pylon in the turn, the Judges determined that #6 Escapethebreeze went over the first yellow pylon, was inside the next two consecutive yellow pylons and then returned to the racing course.
The Judges ruled that #6 Escapethebreeze received no pressure from the outside that forced him inside the pylons and therefore was in violation of ORC Rule 18:08.02.
The photo finish strip showed that #6 Escapethebreeze was lapped by #7 Plane Rammie (Doug Bowins), #8 Stonehouse Baran (Rob Jenkins, Jr.) and #5 Johnny Drama (Eric Nadeau). As ORC Rule 18:08.02 (a) states, #6 Escapethebreeze must be placed behind these lapped on horses.
As a result, #6 Escapethebreeze was fourth placed seventh for going inside two consecutive pylons and being tripped lapped.
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