1. What are the official rules of harness racing?

Official Racing Commission Breaking Rule:

1. When any horses break from their gait in trotting or pacing, their drivers shall at once, where clearance exists, take such horses to the outside and pull it to its gait.
2. The following shall be considered violations of Section 12(a):
   1. Failure to properly attempt to pull the horse to its gait.
   2. Failure to take to the outside where clearance exists.
   3. Failure to lose ground by the break.
3. If there has been no failure on the part of the driver in complying with 12 (b), (1), (2), and (3), the horse shall not be set back unless a contending horses on his gait is lapped on the hind quarter of the breaking horse at the finish.
4. The judges may set any horse back one or more places if in their judgment any of the violations have been committed, and the driver may be punished.

Definition of the Fair Start Pole:

A pole erected at a point 320 feet before the starting pole. The Fair Start Pole shall be red in color and shall protrude at least two feet about the inner rail.

Starting Rule:

If a horse has reached the Fair Start Pole by the time the mobile gate has reached the starting point, that horse is deemed to have had a fair start. It makes no difference whether or not the horse is ON or OFF stride at that precise moment.

A horse shall be considered not to have had a fair start and the starter may order a recall where the horse:

1. scores ahead of the starting gate.
2. is interfered with before the word GO is given.
3. to the knowledge of the starter, has broken equipment.
4. falls before the word GO is given.

When a horse has not reached the Fair Start Pole when the word GO is given, the Judges shall order the offending horse of horses disqualified. This immediately causes the inquiry or objection sign to be displayed on the infield board. (RECALLS - Repeating the entire starting procedures were once considered the answer, but many horseman and racing officials feel a recall is unfair to the horses that remained in position and on stride. The current policy and regulations are designed to be as fair as possible to all bettors and all starters).

Win-4 Information (Designated on Races A - B - C - D):

The "Win-4" feature is a betting transaction in which a purchaser of a ticket undertakes to select the winner of four successive races on which the "Win-4" is scheduled to be run. The winning combination of horses constituting a winning ticke t shall be those horses that finish first, in the official order of finish in each leg of the "Win-4" feature. Where no tickets have been sold coupling the horses finishing first in the official order of finish of each leg of the "Win-4" pool, winning tickets shall be determined in the following sequence:

1. the winner of three legs;
2. the winner of two legs;
3. the winner of one leg;
4. the four horses finishing second;
5. sequentially thereafter.

REFUNDS - In the event of a scratch in any leg of the "Win-4" feature, there will be no refund of any "Win-4" feature ticket. The favorite horse in that particular leg, as determined by the Win Pool will be substituted for the scratched horse. Ensure all tickets are held until the pay-out price for the "Win-4" is posted after the official order of finish of the fourth leg.

2. How Do I Bet?

Step 1 - Pick a Horse

Some people pick their horses based on familiar names, lucky numbers, birthdates and just about any method that seems to work for them. This type of wagering can be fun - although it won`t always produce a winner. Some people study the program`s past performance information for hours on end, while others simply refer to the selections at the top of each page or the race analysis that is contained in many programs.

Step 2 - Place a Bet

If you`re new to the game, we suggest that you make a SHOW bet for your first play. The minimum bet is $2 and you collect a payoff if your horse finishes first, second or third. When you`re ready to place your bet, go to any mutuel window and say: "Two dollars to show on number *, please". Most races have Win, Place and Show betting in addition to some more complicated bets which are outlined below.

Step 3 - Cheer`em Home

At post time the horses will move into position behind the starting gate. The gate picks up speed until the starting point then pulls away and the race is on. You can follow your horse by the driver`s colors or the saddle pad colour which is indicated in the program. After the race, wait until the finish is declared "OFFICIAL." If your horse finished first, second or third (and you made a show bet) go to any mutuel window to collect your payoff.

Types of Wagers

WIN - When you bet your horse to win, your collect if your horse finishes first.

PLACE - When you bet a horse to place, you collect if your horse finishes first or second.

SHOW - When you bet a horse to show, you collect if your horse finishes first, second or third. You have the best chance of winning on a Show bet although the payoff is often the smallest.

EXACTOR - To win an Exactor, you must pick the two horses finished first and second in exact order in the same race.

TRIACTOR - To win a Triactor, you must pick the three horses finishing first second and third in exact order in the same race.

DAILY DOUBLE - To win a Daily Double bet, you must pick the winners in both races designated as the Daily Double and combine them on a Daily Double ticket (not individual win tickets) prior to the first half of the Daily Double.

PICK 3, WIN 4 & SELECT 7 - To win one of these bets, you must select the winners of the appropriate number of consecutive races designated as the Pick 3, Win 4, etc.

3. What is the minimum bet?

4. Where Can I Get Race Results?

5. Are children welcome at Clinton Raceway?

6. Are there bank machines at Clinton Raceway?

7. How do I read the Program and Racing Form?

8. How are odds determined?

9. What is the Universal Driver Rating?

10. How do I get to Clinton?

11. Where can I stay in Clinton?