BEST PRACTICE
ESSENTIAL STEPS IN AN INQUIRY OR OBJECTION
When an incident occurs that one or more of the stewards feel the incident merits a further review by the board of stewards, that steward should call for the inquiry sign to be posted.
- Post the inquiry sign and flash the numbers or have the inquiry sign posted and the numbers flashed on the tote board.
- Notify the announcer of the inquiry, area of incident (gate, first turn, ¼ pole, etc.) or general inquiry.
Notify mutuels. This step pauses the progression of making the race official.
Notify video field person to note that an inquiry is being conducted to alert other tracks and simulcast facilities.
- Talk to the jockeys/drivers involved and listen on speakerphone. Allow them a chance to tell their side of the story.
This is the time for judges to ask questions and listen, not the time to make statements or give opinions. A ruling may result from the incident and the stewards should avoid any line of perceived prejudice or bias.
- This is also not the time to discuss penalties.
Deliberate, Vote
Be very familiar with the disqualification rule in the state you are currently working. In the event of a placing always vote or call for a vote. Ensure all stewards agree on the new order of finish before releasing the information.
Post information
Once the decision is made, have the order of finish posted on the tote board. Ensure the numbers on the tote board match your decision.
Notify Announcer
Inform announcer of decision and rule violation. It is important the announcer convey to the public that the disqualification was caused by a specific rule violation,
e.g. horse (A) is being disqualified from first to third position for violation of rule number (X) which prohibits or reads in part, a horse crossing over and impeding the progress of another horse causing that horse a chance for a better placing is a violation of this rule.
In the event of a jockey’s/driver’s objection/objections, with or without a Steward’s Inquiry, the specifics (jockey/driver of #——— against #———, etc. for alleged interference at some point in the race) will be clearly expressed to the announcer for public information.
Remind the announcer to always include the statement “to hold all tickets until the race is declared official pending the outcome of the inquiry/objection.”
Inform video department of decision
Inform mutuels and ask if the new order of finish is ready to be posted as official. When there is a new order of finish the mutuel pay-outs have to be recalculated.
Jockey’s/Driver’s Rooms
If there is going to be a film/movie list, advise the jockeys room to post on the board in the jockey’s room listing the race number and jockeys’ names.
Speaking with Jockeys/Drivers
It is critical that all the stewards/judges clearly hear the comments.
All the officials must listen carefully to the jockeys’/drivers’ comments and not be distracted. As you well know, most of the time these comments are fairly predictable and not much help, but occasionally you can learn something that may have been initially overlooked