This week’s ORC feature From The Stand will take a look at a Driver’s Objection that was lodged in the seventh race at Flamboro Downs
on June 25, 2010. (click here for the chart)
Ted Jacobs, the driver of #3 Laurent, placed an objection against Scott Zeron, the driver of #4 Jack Man, in the first turn, stating that Zeron caused interference to his horse and made him go off-stride. #3 Laurent finished ninth while #4 Jack Man was the unofficial third-place finisher.
The Judges used ORC Rules 22:05.01(a)(b) and 22:09 while dealing with the objection.
ORC Rule 22:05.01 reads:
“A driver shall not commit any of the following acts which are considered violations of driving rules: -
(a) 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.
(b) Impede the progress of another horse or cause it to break from its gait.”
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.”
The Judges reviewed the pan, front and back tower shots for the Inquiry film.
While reviewing in the Inquiry tape, the Judges were looking to see if there was any evidence of #4 Jack Man (Scott Zeron) coming down into #3 Laurent (Ted Jacobs) that would result in him making a break. Using the front tower and pan shots, it was the opinion of the Judges that #4 Jack Man maintained his path leaving out and around the turn, as Zeron gave himself enough room that he was not at fault for the break in stride by #3 Laurent. The Judges ruled that #3 Laurent broke on his own and it was not due to any interference.
As a result, the Judges disallowed the objection, charted #3 Laurent with a straight break (x) and #4 Jack Man was made the official third-place finisher.
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