When the USTA’s Board of Directors convened in Ohio on the weekend of March 9, 24 proposed changes to the rules and bylaws were discussed. Of the approved changes, four stood out as worth mentioning from at least the handicapping perspective since they could have a major role in the everyday contesting of races. Below are each of the rule changes and my comments. Assuming tracks and jurisidctions actually abide by the new rules, they are meant to commence on May 1 of this year. Clarification of a length Add new subsection to Rule 4 as follows: § 4.95 Length - A distance defined as extending from a horse’s nose to the posterior of the hindquarters. A length shall not include the space occupied by the driver or sulky beyond the horse’s hindquarters. [Renumber existing rules 4.96, 4.97, 4.98 etc.] This rule is very important because it sets a standard for charting races. Previously if a horse was in the pocket following tightly behind the leader he could be charted as 1 length of 1 1/4 lengths off the leader depedning on who was doing the charting. Now 1 length will no longer be acceptable and the more accurate 1 1/4 lengths will likely take hold universally, though one could argue that if a driver leans back far enough the distance can be 1 1/2 lengths. No more getting left behind Amend § 16 to add new section: § 16.18 Fair Start Pole - (a) At all extended pari-mutuel tracks the fair start pole shall be erected at a point before the start that is clearly identifiable. The pole shall be distinctive in color in relation to existing pylons and at least two feet above the existing pylons. (b) If a horse has not reached the fair start pole when the horses are released at the starting point by the starter, the Judges shall cause the inquiry sign to be displayed immediately and shall request the horse be refunded. Here is something many bettors have been waiting a long time to see adopted. If your horse is left behind with no chance at getting a fair start, you’ll actually get a refund. No longer will newbies to the game be stuck wondering how they lost money on a horse that never even made it close to the gate. One interesting point is that the rule gives each track the liberty of deciding where the pole should be located. Also, is it possible some tracks won’t go to the trouble to comply? All drivers are not created equal Amend § 18.06 to read as follows: Removal or Substitution of a Driver - If in the opinion of the judges a driver is for any reason unfit or incompetent to drive or refuses to comply with the directions of the judges, or is reckless in his or her conduct and endangers the safety of horses or other drivers in the race, he or she may be removed and another comparable driver substituted at any time after the positions have been assigned in a race, and the offending driver shall be fined, suspended or expelled. The substitute driver shall be properly compensated. We saw this issue come into play numerous times last year with late changes after the start of multi-race exotics. In theory, though it is still up to the Judges discretion, drivers will now be replaced by someone of similar ability as opposed to just any available body. There are few things worse than thinking you have the track’s top driver and finding out you are stuck with the trainer in the bike. Be careful with that whip Amend § 18.09 by adding the language in bold: Whip Regulations/Prohibitions - Drivers will be allowed whips not to exceed four (4) feet, plus a snapper not longer than six (6) inches. The following actions shall be considered as excessive or indiscriminate use of the whip: (a) All drivers must keep a line in each hand beginning when the horse is behind the starting gate and continuing through the finish of the race. (b) Whipping shall be restricted to elbow and wrist action only and the whipping arm shall not be raised about the driver’s shoulder height. (c) Drivers shall not move their whipping arm in an exaggerated manner and the lines shall remain reasonably taut during the race. (d) Driver shall not use the whip below the level of the shaft, forward of the race bike’s wheels. (e) Drivers shall not place the whip between the horse’s legs. (f) Drivers shall not strike another horse or driver with the whip. (g) Drivers shall not use the handle of the whip on a horse. (h) Drivers are permitted to use their hand or the whip in a sliding or gliding manner above the level of the shaft. (i) Drivers shall not use the whip on a tired horse, on a horse that is not visibly responding, or when a horse is not in contention in a race. (j) Drivers shall not use the whip without giving the horse time to respond to a previous application of the whip. (k) No leather or unusual materials may be used. The conventional snapper shall not be knotted and tape is only permitted on the handle of the whip. All other modifications of the whip are prohibited. (l) Excessive, indiscriminate, visibly injurious or abusive use of the whip is prohibited. You may want to take note of horses which seem lazy and require excessive whipping to motivate them, because those horses may not be such great plays once these rules come into existance. Part (e) stands out as well for me because nearly every race contains a few drivers which place their whips between the legs of horses. This even occurs at tracks were rules are in place to prevent it. The above changes, as with all current rules, require the Judges to enforce them to be meaningful. If the Judges do their jobs properly, the USTA may have taken some nice strides to wards improving the sport. For a complete list of rules considered at the recent meeting, click here.