Section 603.140  Distribution of Purses

a)         The Board recognizes that occasionally post-race specimens do not reach the laboratory within 72 hours nor can all samples be thoroughly analyzed within 72 hours.  However, as a convenience to horsemen, all purse money shall be distributed no later than 72 hours after a race, unless the laboratory has issued a report to the stewards pursuant to these rules.

b)         The fact that purse money has been distributed prior to the issuance of a laboratory report shall not be deemed a finding that no foreign substance has been administered in violation of these rules to the horse winning such purse money.

c)         Upon receipt of a positive laboratory report, the stewards or the Executive Director of the Board shall immediately direct that no purse money shall be awarded to the horse in question pending a final determination by the stewards or the Board of the accuracy of the laboratory's report.  The stewards or the Executive Director of the Board shall notify the owner, trainer, and any other person having care or custody or control of the horse.  If the purse money has been distributed, the stewards or the Executive Director shall order it returned pending determination of the accuracy of the laboratory's report.  The stewards or the Executive Director of the Board shall proceed to conduct an inquiry or the Board shall conduct an inquiry or hearing.

d)         If the report of a laboratory is not contested or if the stewards or the Board determine that the laboratory report is accurate, all purse money won by the horse in the race in question shall be forfeited and redistributed among the remaining horses according to their order of finish, except as provided in Section 603.160.  No such forfeiture and redistribution shall affect the distribution of pari-mutuel pools.

e)         If no positive laboratory report has been issued to the stewards or the Board within 60 days after the date of a race, the owner of a horse shall become legally entitled to the money in the purse and it shall be conclusively presumed that the conditions precedent to such entitlement have been met. Provided, however, positive laboratory reports issued more than 60 days after the date of a race may be considered by the stewards or the Board as evidence of a rule violation under Sections 603.50, 603.60, or 603.70.

f)         If a positive laboratory report has been issued, whatever remains of that particular test sample shall be retained until all legal proceedings have been concluded.

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 12982, effective September 1, 2007)