Section 1318.130  Breaking

a)         When a horse or horses break from their gait in trotting or pacing, their driver shall at once, where clearance exists, take such horse to the inside or outside and pull it to its gait.

b)         The following shall be considered violations of this Section:

1)         Failure to properly attempt to pull the horse to its gait.

2)         Failure to take to the inside or outside where clearance exists.

3)         Failure to lose ground by the break.

4)         An extended break (i.e., any break in gait that lasts 1/16 mile or more).

c)         If there has been no failure on the part of the driver in complying with sub-sections (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3) and (b)(4), the horse shall not be set back unless a contending horse on its gait is lapped on the hind quarter of the breaking horse at the finish.

d)         The judges may set any horse back one or more places if in their judgment any of the above violations have been committed and the driver may be punished.

e)         If a horse goes offstride during any part of the race, and, in the opinion of the stewards, interferes with any horse or horses, that interference shall constitute a violation. The offending horse shall be placed behind all horses interfered with unless the driver of the horse or horses interfered with failed to exercise reasonable care to avoid the incident.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 9188, effective May 1, 2006)