SECTION 325:35-1-5. Trainer responsibility

(a)   The Trainer is presumed to know the rules of racing and is responsible for the condition, soundness, and eligibility of the horses s/he enters in a race. The Trainer shall conduct his/her business of training racehorses with reasonable care and skill and in a humane manner, and with due regard to the interests of his/her Owners and to the safety of employees and Agents and of the horses in his/her care. Should the chemical analysis, urine or otherwise, taken from a horse under his/her supervision show the presence of any substance except as otherwise provided for in Chapter 45, it shall be taken as prima facie evidence that the same was administered by or with the knowledge of the Trainer or person or persons under his/her supervision having care or custody of such horse. At the discretion of the Stewards or Commission, the Trainer and all other persons shown to have had care or custody of such horse may be fined or suspended or both. Under the provisions of this Section, the Trainer is also responsible for any puncture mark on any horse s/he enters in a race, found by the Stewards upon recommendation of the Racing or Official Veterinarian to evidence injection by syringe. If the Trainer cannot be present on race days s/he shall designate an Assistant Trainer. Such designation shall be made prior to time of entry, unless otherwise approved by the Stewards. Failure to fully disclose the actual Trainer of a horse participating in an approved race shall be grounds to disqualify the horse and subject the actual Trainer to possible disciplinary action by the Stewards or the Commission. Designation of an Assistant Trainer shall not relieve the Trainer's absolute responsibility for the conditions and eligibility of the horse, but shall place the Assistant Trainer under such absolute responsibility also. Willful failure on the part of the Trainer to be present at, or refusal to allow the taking of any specimen, or any act or threat to prevent or otherwise interfere therewith shall be cause for disqualification of the hore involved; and the matter shall be referred to the Stewards for further action.

(b)   In addition to the responsibilities of (a) of this Section, a Trainer has the following specific responsibilities:

(1)   Knowledge of substance rules;

(2)   Knowledge of substance status of all horses in his/her care;

(3)   Knowledge of Furosemide use rules;

(4)   To register all horses in his/her care with the Racing Secretary;

(5)   To ensure that no injectable substances, hypodermic needles, syringes, or electrical or mechanical device (other than the ordinary whip or approved twitch) which may or can be used for the purpose of stimulating or depressing a horse or affecting its speed at any time are in his/her possession; in the possession of employees; or in automobiles; or in sleeping, storage or stable areas owned by or assigned to that Trainer or Trainer's employees;

(6)   Proper entering and eligibility of all horses in his/her care;

(7)   Guard horses in his/her care;

(8)   Make any declaration or scratch of an entered horse in his/her care;

(9)   Bill and account for fees and services rendered on behalf of any horse in his/her care to the appropriate Owner or Owners.

(10)   To instruct and determine the training regimen of all horses in his/her care and entered in any race.

(c)   No Trainer duty or responsibility, whether listed in (a) or (b) of this Section or not, may be assigned to any person who is ineligible to hold a license or who is under suspension in this or any other racing jurisdiction.

(d)   No licensed Trainer shall assume any of the responsibilities described in this Section for a horse not under his/her active care, supervision or custody.

(e)   Trainers who are summarily suspended or suspended for more than sixty (60) days shall not be permitted to transfer their horses to family. A suspended trainer shall not provide financial assistance to, or have communication concerning care, custody, or control with a receiving trainer, once a transfer has been completed.

[Source: Amended at 23 Ok Reg 2069, eff 5-9-06 (emergency); Amended at 24 Ok Reg 971, eff 5-11-07; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1458, eff 9-14-19; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 1682, eff 9-14-20]