With the ability to instantly communicate through the Internet and social media, horse racing fans, players, participants, regulators and the media expect clear and concise verbal and written explanations of stewards’ decisions, especially regarding inquiries, claims of foul and rule violation rulings.
1. Most commissions require the Stewards to produce a daily or weekly report concerning the conduct of the racing program.
2. Many commissions and racetracks are posting Stewards’ reports on their web-sites. There are a number of different formats that can be seen at: https://www.horseracingofficials.com/rules-rulings-reports
3. The Stewards’ daily report might include a recap of each race similar to the following:
STEWARDS’ REPORT
SUNDAY – APRIL 30, 2017
4th Day of Racing Track Condition – Sloppy/Sealed
Weather: Rain Wind:15-35ENE Temperature at 1st Post: 43◦
Racing Stewards:
Placing Judges:
Race #1 – CLM5000 NW2(8/1/16)orNW4 4&up 6f Purse: $11,645
Win: #6 Contrip 0.90* Time: 1:11.71
Place: #5 Magic and More 13.40
Show: #7 Bud Ro 13.90
Horses Tested: Contrip & Magic and More
Program Correction: #5 Magic and More – Owner: Tim and Marie Williams
Jockey Change: #1 Drinkin Song – Jorge Chavez
Scratch: #2 Sports Reporter, Trainer, Re-Enter
Claim: #6 Contrip – Owner: Kelly Racing LLC & Trainer: Jon G. Arnett
Objection by Shane Laviolette, the rider of #4 Gentleman Len against #3 How About Him ridden by Ken Tohill for bearing out at the top of the stretch. The Stewards reviewed the video replay, talked to both jockeys and determined that #3 How About Him did interfere with #4 Gentleman Len and #5 Magic and More inside the ¼ pole causing both riders to check and alter course, thereby losing the chance to finish in a higher position. #3 How About Him was disqualified from 2nd and placed 5th behind the #4 Gentleman Len.
IGRC Rule 10.5(2)j.(6)m.(1-2) Riding interference.
(1) When the way is clear in a race, a horse may be ridden to any part of the course; but if any horse swerves, or is ridden to either side, so as to interfere with, impede, or intimidate any other horse, it is a foul.
(2) The offending horse may be disqualified if, in the opinion of the stewards, the foul altered the finish of the race, regardless of whether the foul was accidental, willful, or the result of careless riding.
4.The filing of a daily report accomplishes a number of best practices.
- The Stewards review the race day results on a timely basis.
- See trends, if any, in the odds on the first three finishers.
- In utilizing the Equibase race charts for information, the Stewards can check the chart for accuracy on order of finish, inquiries, blinkers, claims, scratches, etc.
5. The transparency of publically filing daily Stewards’ Reports on the racetrack and Commission web-sites will enhance communications with the racing fans, handicappers, horsemen and other interested parties, and may either answer their questions in advance or encourage them to contact the Stewards for further information.