The Association of Racing Commissioners International Model Rules Committee on Monday (June 26) approved two proposed Standardbred rules approved by the United States Trotting Association board of directors at its 2023 annual meeting.

The rules — regarding no-contests and infield ponds — now go to the full ARCI board of directors for consideration.

The USTA submitted the no-contest rule to provide more clarity to assist officials and racing participants, and to provide judges with more guidance to make decisions in the event of incidents on the racetrack.

The following language was approved by the ARCI Model Rules Committee for judges to declare a heat or race a no-contest:

—In the event an accident occurs on the track during a heat or race and the field must pass the spot of the accident before the finish;

—If one or more drivers or horses are down;

—If, in the opinion of the judges, the safety of the drivers and horses are in jeopardy due to an incident;

—If a horse is traveling clockwise;

—Or, if the event at the racetrack is thrown into darkness during the progress of a race by failure of electricity.

Michele Kopiec, USTA director of racetrack operations and licensing, said the proposed rule expands guidance on how judges can rule in the event of an incident or accident in a race. Anthony Salerno, Standardbred bureau director for the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission, said the new rule proposal gives judges room for judgment, and the old rule — it only dealt with lighting failure — was antiquated.

The proposed rule on installing a barrier or fence around infield ponds stemmed from cases in which horses have left the racing surface and ended up in the bodies of water. The accompanying petition for the new rule states: “The safety of horses is of utmost importance, and the public needs to see steps the industry is taking to protect horses from such a catastrophic incident.”

Dr. Alex Lightbown, director of racing and chief veterinarian for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said horses have been saved after a few incidents at Plainridge Park Casino because a fence was installed around a retention pond in the infield.