This week’s ORC feature From The Stand examines an inquiry from Mohawk Racetrack on July 6, 2010

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Mohawk Racetrack – July 6, 2010, Race 7 (click here for the chart)

A Judges Inquiry took place in Race 7 at Mohawk on July 6 that dealt with a possible interference violation by the unofficial winner #5 Richlyn Tessa (Jason Brewer) at the top of the stretch.

The Judges used ORC Rules 22:05.01(a) and 22:09 while dealing with the inquiry.

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.”

For the inquiry review, the Judges used the pan and back tower shots, both of which are available below.

Using the inquiry video above, #5 Richlyn Tessa (Jason Brewer) can be found racing on the lead and #6 Athleticlyinclined (Jody Jamieson) is first-over on the outside. The Judges were looking to see if #5 Richlyn Tessa caused any interference that resulted in #6 Athleticlyinclined making a break.

Coming out of the turn, the Judges determined that #5 Richlyn Tessa failed to maintain her path on the inside, as the tapes show she drifts into the lane of #6 Athleticlyinclined and hits the front legs of #6 Athleticlyinclined, which causes her to go off stride. In doing so, #5 Richyln Tessa was in violation of ORC Rule 22:05.01(a).

As a result, #5 Richlyn Tessa was first placed ninth behind #6 Athleticlyinclined for causing interference in the stretch, as per ORC Rule 22:09. #6 Athleticlyinclined was charted with an interference break (ix) in the stretch.

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