Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 178 - Racing Commission
Chapter 7884 - HARNESS RACES
Part 7884.0270 - EXPANDED HOMESTRETCH RACING

A. When entering or while going through the homestretch for the first time in a race, no horse shall use the expanded inside lane in an attempt to pass other horses or improve its position. A horse that does so shall be disqualified and placed at the discretion of the stewards, whose decision shall be final.

B. The lead horse in the homestretch shall maintain its position giving the trailing horses full access to the expanded inside lane. If, in the opinion of the stewards, the lead horse changes course in the homestretch in an attempt to prevent a trailing horse from passing, the horse shall be placed accordingly.

C. Horses using the expanded inside lane, during the homestretch drive for the finish of the race must first have complete clearance of the pylons marking the inside boundary of the race course. A horse or sulky going inside one or more pylons, while attempting to use the expanded inside lane, may be disqualified and placed at the discretion of the stewards, whose decision shall be final.

D. During the final one-eighth mile of a race, a horse may only be driven into the expanded homestretch lane for the purpose of passing another horse and shall not be driven into the expanded homestretch lane for the purpose of blocking a trailing horse. It shall be presumed that a horse driven into the expanded homestretch lane which blocks a trailing horse, without advancing on the horse it was allegedly attempting to pass, was being driven for the purpose of blocking a trailing horse. If, in the opinion of a majority of the stewards, a horse is driven into the expanded homestretch lane for the purpose of blocking a trailing horse, the driver of the blocking horse may be fined or suspended, or both, and the horse may be placed accordingly.