Paddock Judge
This Judge supervises the assembly of the horses in the saddling
paddock prior to a race, oversees the saddling of the horses, and
keeps a record of all equipment used on each horse (reporting any
changes to the stewards).
Clerk of Scales
This is the official (under the Racing Secretary's Office) who
"runs" the Jockeys Room, weighing the jockeys out before a race and
reporting any discrepancies in their weight to the stewards. His job
is to make certain the jockeys are at or under the legal weight for
that race's (and their mount's) allowance. The Clerk of Scales also
notes and reports any changes of jockeys or of silks, and provides
the Paymaster of Purses with a list of riding fees due each jockey
that day. This is also the official who can be seen in the Winner's
Circle after the race, recording the weight of every rider (and his
gear) after he or she dismounts, to make certain no "weight was
dropped" after the jockey's pre-race weigh-in.
Clerk of the Course
He or she maintains the record of registration certificates and
certificates of eligibility for all the horses who will be racing
during a meet. This clerk also checks foal certificates, verifies
the ownership of horses, is responsible for the proper transfer of
certificates on claimed horses - and issues thoroughbred owners
their passes.
Horse Identifier
Prior to racehorses' departure for the post, the Horse Identifier
inspects each horse's lip tatoo, and compares its coloring and
markings to its Jockey Club identification records (reporting any
discrepancies to the stewards). The Identifier also inspects and
verifies (using the same methods as above) the identity of any horse
new to the track, and supervises the tattooing of all horses on the
grounds.
Patrol Judges
These are the judges stationed at the poles during races,
"spotting" for the stewards, and relaying reports. They also run the
videotape room for Stewards and jockeys who wish to have a race
replayed to check for infractions or violations or study
photo-finishes and objections.
Placing Judges
These officials work in a station above the finish line, placing
horses in order of finish and posting information on the tote board.
If the Judges are not unanimous in their decision, or if there is a
close photo finish or objection, the Placing Judges will dispatch
the race's photographs and video to the stewards for an official
ruling.
Official Starter
The Starter oversees the loading of the horses into the starting
gate before a race, and is responsible for ensuring an equal and
fair start for all the horses running. At the moment the Starter
deems all the horses ready, he or she opens the gate simply by
pressing a hand-held button. (Generally, at the modern racetracks,
this button is connected via electric leads to electromagnets
holding the gates shut; pushing the button breaks the magnetic
current of all gates simultaneously, and they fly open on
spring-loaded hinges.) The Official Starter also maintains the
"Starter's List" and gives the "O.K." when a horse has been
sufficiently schooled in the gate.
Horseshoe Inspector
This official not only keeps records of the types of shoes worn
by each horse, but also checks the shoes of every horse entered in a
race before it leaves the paddock for the post, reporting to the
stewards any improper (or illegal) shoeing. The Horseshoe Inspector
is authorized to correct the shoeing of any horse (at the request of
the stewards) and can initiate a stewards' scratch from a race.
Clockers
Stationed in a booth above the "gap" (an opening in the track
fencing where horses enter and leave for morning workouts) the
Clockers are responsible for taking official timings of the
distances worked by specific (scheduled) horses. Working with a
horse identifier, they not only relay times and distances to the
stewards and vets (for removal from those Officials' list), but
record the figures which will be used by everyone from casual
handicappers to Daily Racing Form. Clockers are not to be confused
with Timers, the officials who record the exact times of actual
races.
