Michigan Administrative Code
Department - Agriculture and Rural Development
Executive Division
RegulationNo 812 - State Aid for Harness Horse Racing
Section R. 285.812.4 - Track maintenance; track equipment; head and saddle pad numbers

(1) A fair that may conduct harness horse races shall maintain its racetrack in a manner that makes harness horse racing safe. The track shall be adequately drained, shall be kept in a smooth condition during the races, and shall be sprinkled between races when necessary. If purses are paid in part by funds allocated under this rule, then the track condition shall be approved by a representative of the director before any races are conducted.

(2) An approved starting gate and starter shall be used in a harness horse race. The department shall be reimburse the fee to the fair based on available funds and the going industry rate for approved mobile starting gates for each harness horse race program conducted at the fair. The fair shall submit, to the director, within 15 days after completion of the harness race program or September 30, whichever is sooner, receipted invoices for the starting gate operations.

(3) A fair shall use adequate photo finish equipment and an experienced photographer for all harness horse races. The department shall reimburse the fair, subject to available funding, a fee for approved photo finishing equipment and the services of an experienced photographer for each harness horse race program conducted at the fair. The fair shall submit, to the director, within 15 days after completion of the harness race program or September 30, whichever is sooner, receipted invoices for the photo finish operations.

(4) The fair shall provide a harness horse race entry with a head number or a saddle pad, or both.