Date of Proposal: July 1, 2019

Proposal Number: PRN 2019-103

Proposal Description: The New Jersey Racing Commission proposes a new rule governing the use, size and placement of pylons used to delineate the racetrack boundaries at New Jersey harness racetracks. Proposed at the recommendation of the Presiding Judges at New Jersey’s two current harness racetracks – New Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway – the new rule will help establish more clearly visible racetrack boundaries for race drivers. It will also assist racetrack judges, as the pylons will be more visible, and will be spread apart at a uniform distance. Pylons are presently used at both New Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway to mark the inner boundary of the racetrack. If a horse’s hoof or the wheel of a horse’s sulky passes inside the pylon, a horse is considered to be out of bounds and the driver must immediately make an effort to return in bounds. Upon traveling out of bounds, a driver is in violation of the Commission’s rules unless a specific exception applies. The proposed new rule specifies the penalties for driving a horse out of bounds, the increased penalties applied for remaining out of bounds for an extended period of time, and the issue of interference as a factor in a horse traveling out of bounds. The proposed rule also requires the pylons themselves to be of uniform height, color and spacing at all harness racetracks.     
 
Summary of Proposal: A complete summary of the proposed amendments is posted on the New Jersey Racing Commission Web site at: www.nj.gov/oag/racing/proposed.html

Public Comment: Public comment on the proposed amendments will be accepted until August 30, 2019.

Please direct all comments to:

Judith A. Nason, Executive Director
Department of Law and Public Safety
New Jersey Racing Commission
P.O. Box 088
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0088
or via email to NJRCWebinfo@lps.state.nj.us

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