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WALTER DONOVAN Former presi ¬ dent of the NASRC who participated in the discussions on the report of the Uni ¬ form Rules and Procedure Committee NASRC Committee Report ReportUNIFORM UNIFORM RULES AND PROCEDURE PROCEDUREFrank Frank R Warton Illinois chairman Watheh R Knebelkamp Kentucky Emmett J Kelley New Hampshire Dr Curtis A Haggard Florida William H Ayres Delaware William Fitzgerald Washington I shall refer briefly to the report I made on Uniform Rules and Procedure at our convention in San Francisco in April of 1952 1 regret that comparatively little has been accomplished in making effective a program of unification I feel hat it requires very serious consideration upon the part of the various State Commis ¬ sioners Certainly to obtain more effective unification would simplify many problems relating to owners trainers race track officials jockeys grooms in fact all per ¬ sons employed in the various capacities called for by the requirements of operating these tracks tracksWe We had several instances in Illinois dur ¬ ing the past year involving new stables and trainers racing for the first time under our State rules arriving from other tracks who acted upon the theory that the rules in effect at the tracks where they came from also apply to the operation of the tracks in Illinois In a particular case this resulted in the necessity of a suspension and this is always regrettable regrettableI I have a number of suggestions to make which might be considered and adopted by our National Association One of upper ¬ most importance in the conduct of racing is the assurance of continuity of racing racingYou You are aware that one of our tracks in Chicago in May of last year was closed for a considerable period due to a boycott by horsemen based upon their belief that in adequate purses were being offered You are also aware that in the past month of May there was another boycott at the Hollywood Race Track in Los Angeles I am not prepared to take a position on the side of either group in this controversy but the effect to the states involved was serious I feel therefore that it would be very helpful if some rule could be applied which would place a burden upon both the track and the horsemen to insure continuity of racing racingPurse Purse Plans 90 Days Before Opening OpeningFor For example I believe the tracks should be called upon to make statements as to their intentions of purse offerings at least 90 days prior to the opening of the track A period of 30 days would then be allowed so that the horsemen could either accept or reject the program offered In this man ¬ ner the continuance of racing could be controlled This could be called a Racing Continuity Rule and every licensee and employee could be bound by an agreement of employment with the Association The owners and trainers could agree with the purse and stakes schedule offered by the Association and this would apply during the entire meeting It is quite conceivable that under less advantageous conditions of racing than exist today due to the pros ¬ perous condition of the country the race tracks would be the sufferers from such a regulation regulationThe The method of control of the necessary tests of horses to insure compliance with the Stimulation Regulations is very neces ¬ sary You are all aware that to obtain the necessary specimens is frequently beset with difficulties and in some instances practically impossible Whether or not a post receiving point is the solution I am not able to state and I know that many horsemen have objections to such a pro ¬ cedure but I am convinced that some control must be exercised to insure the protection of the public in this important phase phaseI I also feel that some unification of rules should be presented to insure a uniform method of protection of the Stable Area with the object of preventing the tamper ¬ ing of horses and I am further convinced that both owners and trainers are entitled to and require some such specific protec ¬ tion A comprehensive study should be made of ways and means to tighten up security in the barn area All persons who have official business should be licensed and identified and this should include veterinarians platers employees of drug supply houses etc etcShould Should Be Notified of Denials DenialsI I believe that most associations are now in sympathy with complying with the rul ¬ ings of another state in the case of their owners jockeys trainers or grooms and that theyv are willing to refuse licenses when under suspension However I believe that when a licensee is denied a license by a Racing Commission then each state should be notified that this denial exists in other words a denial of a license be ¬ comes a ruling of which all states should be apprised and should honor just as in the case of a suspension suspensionI I feel that it would be very helpful if meetings could be arranged with the Amer ¬ ican Trainers Association to further clarify agreements upon stimulation rules and forms of medication to be permitted also a clarification of placing the responsibility where it belongs All medication or even icing Should be reported to the stewards at all tracks if done less than 48 hours before the race in which the horse is entered Further I believe that before licenses are granted to horse trainers the experience of the trainer should be investigated if he is new to the business Certainly such a requirement would add to the protection of the public It is not too much to demand that new trainers applying for a license should have a minimum of two years experience under a person or persons known to be competent in all phases of horse mastership mastershipConcerning Concerning jockey rules it would be very helpful if all penalties could be made uni ¬ form At present jockeys under suspension are allowed to ride Stake races already contracted I do not believe that this is a fair adjudication of a serious suspension and perhaps a 72hour clause before the suspension becomes effective could be in ¬ troduced so that the contract owner would be notified in advance that his jockey could not ride during the suspension period periodTakes Takes Up Claiming Rules RulesClaiming Claiming rules have always been subject to serious controversy It seems to me that a uniform rule to be used nationally is not an unreasonable demand By working closely with each state group I believe that this as applies to many other state rules could be made completely uniform uniformTo To insure better protection of the public great care should be exercised by the Stew StewContinucd Continucd on Page Five NASRC Committee Report ReportUNIFORM UNIFORM RULES AND PROCEDURE Continued from Page Three ards to ascertain that a horse is fit before he is allowed to race While attempts have been made to afford this protection I am sure that many horses enter races com completely pletely unsuited to give their best efforts Of equal importance is the rule concern ¬ ing dockers information I feel strongly that no horse should be allowed to race racev v after a long absence from the track unless the result of three works can be published For example if a horse has not raced for 60 or 90 days or longer such information informationshould should be available A clocker should be licensed and operate under strict regula tions Horses should not be worked unless at least two official dockers are present and in no case should less than two dockers dockersrbe rbe engaged by the various tracks tracksy y Uniformity Desired DesiredEquipment Equipment should as far as possible be standardized and regulations pertaining to tothe the weighing of specific equipment should be uniform in all states I refer specifically specificallyvto vto the tack and also to the possible use of spurs and other unusual equipment I be ¬ lieve it to be of particular importance that thatv v plating rules should be adopted and be in force This would govern the type and andv v weight of shoes used and in all cases this should be made public in the paddock or elsewhere In further regard to suspension any individual subject to the license regulations regulationsof of the tracks and licensed by the tracks should not be relicensed by any other state until said individual has been reinstated to good standing by the state which originally suspended him Great diligence should be i used by each member of this Association to enforce this regulation regulationThe The prevalence of fires in recent years has constituted a great menace and a great loss to racing in general In certain in ¬ stances carelessness including drunken ¬ ness has no doubt been responsible and has endangered racing properties horses etc Watchmen are employed to safeguard these properties but when cases come to the attention of the watchmen they should be reported to the State Stewards and j necessary action taken and if advisable referred to the Racing Commission In some instances this would result in revoca tion of licenses and therefore all members of the National Association would be aware of it Increases if Revenues Go Up I have already touched upon the neces ¬ sity of a race track presenting a program 90 days in advance of then meeting meetingNothing Nothing in this action should prevent an increase in the purses if the revenues are aregreater greater than anticipated and I believe that thatif if proper relationship is maintained by the State Racing Commissioners with the track owners no difficulty would occur to en danger the continuity of racing racingThere There are so many important functions of the Racing Commissioners and particu larly of the committees appointed annually by the president of the National Associa ¬ tion that I leel strohgly Interim meetings of the committees are necessary This would enable these committees to take up with the various states specific instances of problems arising which could be avoided by unification It is still my belief that the employment of a paid secretary by the Na ¬ tional Association whose undertaking would be to visit the various commissions during the year in order to work with them in the procurement of suggestions for co ¬ ordination in the various departments of an operation of a race track would be a good investment and would be exceedingly helpful to the National Association AssociationIt It must be borne in mind that our chief function is to insure efficient racing with complete protection to all parties involved and I do not feel that at present we are achieving this objective I recognize the necessity of complying with the various state laws but a clearer understanding of these state laws would be very beneficial in formulating uniform rules rulesUnquestionably Unquestionably the additional protection afforded by the picture film of all races has inspired much greater confidence on the part of the public It is invaluable to the stewards and when properly used is of great educational benefit to the trainers and jockeys I hope it will be adopted as quickly as possible by all of our Associa ¬ tions tionsIt It would also give me great pleasure if we could see our way to adopt a uniform rule protecting jockeys such as is offered in the State of California where they are obligated to put into a trust fund a cer ¬ tain amount of their earnings I realize that at present this is not practical because legislation would have to be put through in various states authorizing this procedure but I am convinced that such action would have a beneficial effect upon the mental attitude of the boys at a critical period of their life and would improve the caliber of the members of the profes ¬ sion sionYour Your committee is fully cognizant of the importance of their functions and will wel ¬ come suggestions at all times from the entire membership
