SECTION 325:20-1-13. Duties of the Starter

  The Starter shall have complete jurisdiction over the starting gate, the starting of horses, and the authority to give orders not in conflict with the provisions of the Act and the rules in this Title as may be required to ensure all participants an equal opportunity to a fair start. The Starter shall appoint his/her assistants; however, s/he shall not permit his/her assistants to handle or take charge of any horse in the starting gate without his/her expressed permission. In the event that organization starter assistants are unavailable to head a horse, the responsibility to provide qualified individuals to head and/or tail a horse in the starting gate shall rest with the Trainer. The Starter shall establish qualifications for Organization Assistant Starters and maintain a list of such qualified individuals approved by the Stewards. No Assistant Starter or any individual handling a horse at the starting gate shall in any way impede, whether intentionally or otherwise, the start of the race; nor may an Assistant Starter or other individual, except the Jockey handling the horse at the starting gate, apply a whip or other device in an attempt to load any horse in the starting gate. No one other than the Jockey shall slap, boot, or otherwise attempt to dispatch a horse from the starting gate.

[Source: Amended at 25 Ok Reg 878, eff 5-11-08]