Racing Officials

ANNOUNCER:

The announcer promptly makes all announcements to the patrons that are required by the Texas Racing Act and Commission Rules, including announcements regarding scratches, jockey changes, jockey overweights, and other information pertinent to the running of the race. The announcer makes all announcements from the stewards regarding objections and inquiries concerning a race.

ASSISTANT STARTERS:

The assistant starters are supervised by the Starter. The assistant starters load the horses into the starting gate and, when required, head the horses in the starting gate.

CLERK OF SCALES:

Reports to the stewards any jockeys who are late to weigh for the day's races and any jockeys who are having difficulty maintaining their riding weight;

Verifies the weight of each jockey at the time of weighing out and weighing in, and immediately reports any discrepancies to the stewards;

Notifies the stewards of any change of jockeys, alteration of colors, or weight change;

Provides the track with a report of the weight carried in each race and the names of the jockeys, specifying any overweight;

Provides to the horsemen's bookkeeper a program that indicates all jockey changes and the order of finish for each race;

Supervises the conduct of the jockeys and their attendants while they are in the jockeys' room;

Maintains a record of applicable winning races on all apprentice certificates. At the end of the race meeting or on the departure of an apprentice jockey, the clerk of scales shall deliver the appropriate apprentice certificate to the apprentice jockey.

HORSE IDENTIFIER:

The horse identifier identifies each horse while it is in the pre-race holding area or paddock. The horse identifier immediately reports to the stewards and paddock judge a horse that is not properly identified or that has any irregularities from the official identification record. The horse identifier:

Inspects, identifies, and prepares identification records on all horses that race at a race meeting;

Inspect documents of ownership, eligibility, registration, or breeding necessary to ensure the proper identification of each horse scheduled to compete at a race meeting;

Supervises the tattooing or branding for identification of any horse located on association grounds.

HORSEMAN'S BOOKKEEPER:

The horsemen's bookkeeper maintains each horsemen's account. Each owner engaged in racing must open and maintain an account with the horsemen's bookkeeper. The horsemen's bookeeper:

Credits each account with all earnings, awards, and deposits;

Deducts or disburses all payments as directed by the owner or authorized agent;

Renders periodic statements of each account.

HORSESHOE INSPECTOR:

The horseshoe inspector inspects the horseshoes of each horse in the paddock. The inspector immediately reports to the stewards and paddock judge a horse that is improperly shod. The horseshoe inspector maintains a record of unusual types of racing plates worn by each horse scheduled to race. With the approval of the stewards, the horseshoe inspector may order adjustments or corrections to the racing plates of a horse.

JOCKEY ROOM CUSTODIAN:

In the absence of the clerk of scales, the jockey room custodian supervises the conduct of the jockeys and their attendants while they are in the jockey room.

Keeps the jockey room clean and safe for all jockeys;

Ensures all jockeys are in the correct colors (silks) before leaving the jockey room to prepare for mounting their horses;

Keeps a daily video review list as dictated by the stewards and have it displayed in plain view for all jockeys;

Keeps a daily program displayed in plain view for the jockeys so they may have ready access to mounts that may become available;

Keeps unauthorized individuals out of the jockey room; and

Reports to the stewards any unusual occurrences in the jockey room.

MORNING CLOCKER:

The morning clocker identifies each horse that comes on the racetrack to work and shall record the accurate time of the horse's work. Each day, the morning clocker prepares a list of works that describes the name of the horse, the distance of the work, and the time of the work. The morning clocker ensures the accuracy of the list of works and any other documentation regarding a work performed at that track. Immediately on completion of the morning works, the morning clocker delivers the list of works to the stewards and the racing secretary.

OFFICIAL TIMER:

At the end of a race, the official timer posts the official time on the tote board on instruction by the stewards. The official timer posts the quarter times (splits) in fractions on the tote board as a race is being run.

OUTRIDERS:

The outriders are mounted officials who ensure the post parade is conducted in an orderly manner. The outriders retrieve loose horses or horses that run off during racing or training hours.

PADDOCK JUDGE:

Supervises the assembling of the horses scheduled to race and has general supervision over the saddling equipment;

Supervises the saddling of horses in the saddling stalls and the departure of the horses for the post;

Maintains a record of all equipment on a horse saddled for a race and reports to the stewards any change indicated at a subsequent saddling;

Prohibits any change of saddling equipment without the approval of the stewards;

Maintains a list of horses that are ineligible to be entered in a race because of poor or inconsistent performance or behavior in the paddock that endangers the health or safety of other participants in racing. At the end of each race day, the paddock judge provides a copy of the list to the stewards. To be removed from the paddock judge's list, a horse must be schooled in the paddock and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the paddock judge and the stewards that the horse is capable of performing safely in the paddock.

PLACING JUDGES:

The placing judges determine the finish order of horses as they pass the finish line and display the results. In the event of a photofinish or if the placing judges are not unanimous as to the correct order of finish, the judges submit a photograph of the finish to the stewards for examination and a determination of the result. The decision of the stewards is final.

RACING SECRETARY:

The racing secretary supervises the operations of the racetrack's racing office and its employees.

Inspects all documents relating to the ownership;

Writes the conditions of all races, including Texas-Bred races as required by the Act, and publishes the conditions in a manner that allows sufficient notice to all interested persons;

Acts as the official handicapper in all races;

Supervises the drawing of all races and posts the overnight which lists the horses in post position order, the jockeys, the weight to be carried, and the conditions and purse of each race immediately after the drawing;

Maintains the preferred list of horses;

Ensures that the information printed in the program and racing forms is accurate;

Keeps a record of all races;

Allocates stalls on the racetrack grounds.

STABLE SUPERINTENDENT:

The stable superintendent supervises the systematic placement of horses in stalls. The stable superintendent maintains a log of all horses arriving and departing the stable area.

STARTER:

The starter issues orders and takes measures necessary to ensure a fair start for all horses;

May appoint assistant starters. The starter shall ensure the assistant starters have adequate training in the safe handling of horses in the starting gate;

Maintains a list of horses that are ineligible to start in a race because of poor or inconsistent performance or behavior at the starting gate that endangers the health or safety of other participants in racing. To be removed from the starter's list, a horse must be schooled in the starting gate and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the starter that the horse is capable of standing safely in the starting gate;

Assigns the stall positions (starting gate positions) to the assistant starters at random. The starter may not notify the assistant starters of their respective stall positions for a race more than 10 minutes before post time for the race;

Assesses the ability of each individual applying for an apprentice jockey's license for the first time, in breaking from the starting gate and working a horse in the company of other horses.

STATE VETERINARIAN:

Supervises all licensed vets practicing on the grounds of the racetrack;

Oversees the well-being of all horses racing or working at that track;

Oversees veterinary pre-race inspections of all horses- No horse can race if it has not been checked by a State-appointed vet on the morning of the race;

Enforces the rules and regulations of the state racing commission regarding illegal medications and contaminants;

Supervises or performs all blood and urine-tests on horses;

Assists in conducting barn-searches (for illegal substances and equipment);

Participates in the post mortems and investigations into injuries or deaths of any horses working or racing at the track

Known as the Official veterinarian, the State Vet may not directly treat or prescribe treatment for any horse on the grounds except in an emergency.

STEWARDS:

The stewards have the general authority and supervision over the conduct of each race and all licensees at a racetrack during a race meeting. If a question arises during a race meeting regarding the operations of a racetrack or the conduct of racing that is not covered by the Act or the Rules, the stewards shall resolve the question in conformity with custom, precedent, justice, and the best interest of racing. The stewards are authorized to:

Interpret and enforce the Act and the Rules and to determine all questions, disputes, complaints, or objections relating to racing matters in accordance with the applicable laws, taking into consideration such factors as, but not limited to, custom, precedent, justice, and the best interest of racing;

Issue rulings, which supersede any orders of the association, on racing matters that may change the conduct of a race or race meeting;

Review applications for individual licenses submitted at the racetrack, hold hearings on applications for individual licenses, and deny temporary or permanent licenses for grounds authorized by the Act or the Rules;

Approve a substitute jockey, assistant trainer, or other substitute licensees requested by a trainer;

Appoint a substitute official;

Require a jockey, trainer, or other licensee to review a video replay of a race in which the person participated;

Examine or order the examination of a horse or the ownership papers, certificates, or other documents pertaining to a horse's identification;

Determine whether a disqualification is warranted if a foul or a riding infraction occurs; and

Perform any other duty necessary on behalf of the Commission to ensure a race meeting is conducted in accordance with the Act and the Rules.

At any time, order an endoscopic examination of a horse to determine the presence of foreign material in the nasal passages that obstructs or could obstruct the flow of air into the horse's lungs. An examination ordered under this subsection must be: (1) performed by a veterinarian licensed by the Commission at the horse owner's expense; and (2) witnessed by a commission veterinarian.

TEST BARN TECHNICIANS:

The test barn technicians perform any duty required by the test barn supervisor and assist in the collection of specimens for testing and in the maintenance of the test barn facilities.

TRACK SUPERINTENDENT:

The track superintendent ensures that the racetrack is properly maintained. The track superintendent also ensures that all track equipment is operable for all races and during training hours.