Drivers may be disqualified from
participation due to any infractions
East Rutherford, NJ
(December 16th) - Effective immediately, The Meadowlands, Tioga
Downs and Vernon Downs will be enforcing a “zero-tolerance” policy when it
comes to drivers violating rules associated with the “kicking or nudging” of a
horse.
This past Saturday, Meadowlands C.E.O and General Manager, Jason Settlemoir
along with Presiding Judge John Tomasello met with the drivers and informed
them of this policy.
Any driver that is cited for an infraction pertaining to “kicking or nudging a
horse,” will be suspended for seven (7) days by the judges at The
Meadowlands. In addition, the management at The Meadowlands, Tioga Downs
and Vernon Downs will reserve the right to disqualify that driver from
participation at all three racetracks.
The rule exists in the New Jersey Racing Commission Rule Book and can be found
in 13:71-20.15:
“The brutal use of a whip or blunt spur, kicking a horse with a foot, striking
a horse with the whip under the seat of the sulky or indiscriminate use of a whip
may be considered a violation.”
Furthermore, if a driver is cited for a “kicking or nudging” violation at any
racetrack other than three properties operated by Jeff Gural, the management at
The Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs will reserve the right to
disqualify that driver from participation at all three racetracks.
“We have a responsibility to our
horses and to the public that we are putting forth the most integrity-driven
and safest product possible,” said Meadowlands Chairman Jeff Gural.
“Regardless of the debate that has been ongoing related to this issue, as far
as we are concerned, perception is reality and it looks terrible, therefore we
will not tolerate it. I hope our having to take action on this issue will
not be required to demonstrate how serious we are about this subject.”
This policy will be in effect when The Meadowlands resumes racing on Friday,
December 19th.
