Whipping Rule
BUFFALO RACEWAY WHIPPING RULE
1. Drivers shall comply with the rules of the New York State Gaming Commission, in particular 9 NYRCC 4117.8 (Whips, goads and head poles); and all drivers with agreement through their horsemen’s association and the track, Buffalo Raceway, that they will use the whip in compliance with these additional standards.
2. Drivers shall not cause an injury (visible or not) to the horse with the whip.
3. Drivers shall not whip a horse that is out of contention.
4. Drivers shall not repetitively whip a horse more than two strikes without a pause.
5. Drivers shall keep a line in each hand (except as may be necessary to adjust equipment, pulling plugs, dropping blinkers) for the entire race; and both hands shall stay in front of the body, below the shoulder and inside the bike shaft from the start of the race until the finish. Continuous whipping is prohibited.
6. No goading device, including but not limited to a chain, spur, or mechanical or electrical device, other than a whip that is permitted by the New York State Gaming Commission rules shall be used upon a horse either while racing, training, or at any other time on the premises.
NEW YORK STATE GAMING COMMISSION RULES ALSO REQUIRE
7. Drivers shall use the whip in a conventional manner which includes not striking or jabbing the horse with the butt end of a whip.
8. Drivers shall not use the whip in a manner that is brutal, excessive, indiscriminate, or unnecessary, or that interferes with or causes disturbance to another horse or driver.
9. Under the supervision of the judges, there shall be a mandatory visual inspection of each horse following each race for evidence or brutal use of the whip.
NO PERSON SHALL POSSESS ANY MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL GOADING DEVICE ON THE GROUNDS
Competition Rule
Buffalo Raceway Management
Competition Rule at Buffalo Raceway
Participants with the same surname (last name) will be limited per race to two separate pari-mutuel betting interests (i.e. drivers and trainers). If three trainers with the same surname (last name) are entered in a specific race, the trainer with the "latest" race date will be deemed ineligible to compete in the specific race. If one trainer and two drivers with the same surname (last name) are entered in a specific race, one of the two drivers must drive for the one trainer or both drivers will be deemed ineligible to compete in the specific race. If two trainers and one driver with the same surname are entered in a specific race, the one driver must drive for one of the two trainers or be deemed ineligible to compete in the specific race.
Buffalo Raceway has the sole right to establish a Competition Rule, and reserves the right to amend the Competiton Rule at any time, if management of Buffalo Raceway deems it is in the best interests of racing at Buffalo Raceway to do so.
The Competition Rule will generally not apply to the New York Sire Stakes or Excelsior Series unless management of Buffalo Raceway deems it is in the best interests of racing at Buffalo Raceway to apply the Competition Rule.