A Driver’s Objection was lodged in Race 10 at Flamboro Downs on June 4, 2010 by Mitch Sahely, driving #1 Lus Reward, against the driver of #4 Locofoco N, Doug Bowins, in the first turn

. #4 Locofoco N was the unofficial third place finisher and #1 Lus Reward finished eighth. (click here for the chart)

While watching the Inquiry films, the Judges referred to ORC Rules 22:05.01(a) and 22.09.

ORC Rule 22:05.01 reads:

“A driver shall not commit any of the following acts which are considered violations of driving rules: -

1. Change course or position, or swerve in or out, or bear in or out during any part of the race in such a manner as to compel a horse to shorten its stride or cause another driver to change course, take his or her horse back, or pull his or her horse out of its stride.”

ORC Rule 22:09 states:

“In the case of interference, collision, or violation of any rules, the offending horse may be placed back one or more positions in that heat or dash, and in the event of such collisions, interference or violation preventing any horse from finishing the heat or dash, the offending horse may be disqualified from receiving any winnings and the driver may be fined or suspended. If a horse is set back, it must be placed behind the horse with which it interfered. If an offending horse has interfered with a horse involved in a dead heat and the offending horse is set back, it must be placed behind the horses in the dead heat.”

After reviewing the Inquiry film and speaking to the drivers involved, the Judges ruled that #4 Locofoco N did bear in and cause interference to #1 Lus Reward in the first turn, which resulted in #1 Lus Reward going off stride. The Judges upheld the Driver’s Objection as per ORC Rule 22:05.01(a).

As a result, #4 Locofoco N was third placed eighth behind #1 Lus Reward, as ORC Rule 22:09 states. #1 Lus Reward was charted with an interference break (ix) in the first turn.

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