Section 71IAC8-2-2. Specific levels requiring scratch

   (a) The judges shall order scratched or disqualified:

(1) any horse that races or is scheduled to race that registers readings of:

(A) bicarbonate (HCO₃) at thirty-six (36) or higher;

(B) a pH level at seven and four hundred forty-five thousandths (7.445) or higher; and

(C) a sodium (Na) level at one hundred forty-six (146) or higher; or

(2) any horse on the bleeder's list that races or is scheduled to race that registers readings of:

(A) bicarbonate (HCO₃) at thirty-eight (38) or higher;

(B) a pH level at seven and four hundred seventy-thousandths (7.470) or higher; and

(C) a sodium (Na) level at one hundred forty-eight (148) or higher;

on each of the two (2) tests from a blood gas analyzer when such tests have been conducted by the commission. No horse shall be ordered scratched or disqualified in accordance with the provisions of this section unless at least two (2) of the three (3) readings for bicarbonate (HCO₃), sodium (Na), and pH are equal to or exceed the levels established in this section. The commission shall not be required to test for all three (3) variables. However, if the commission tests for only two (2) variables, both readings must equal or exceed the levels established in this section in order for the judges to scratch or disqualify the horse.

  (b) In its discretion, the commission may retest a horse whose first test results are within allowable limits. Should a retest under this situation indicate high levels as provided in subsection (a), the retest shall be considered an initial screening. High levels on a subsequent test as provided in subsection (a) shall be considered a violation of this rule and the horse shall be scratched or disqualified.

  (c) The provisions of subsection (a) notwithstanding, the judges shall not order the disqualification of a horse selecting quarantine under these rules if the commission is satisfied on the basis of clear and cogent evidence derived from the testing of the horse's blood during quarantine that such levels are physiologically normal for that specific horse. (Indiana Horse Racing Commission; 71 IAC 8-2-2; emergency rule filed Feb 10, 1994, 9:20 a.m.: 17 IR 1170; emergency rule filed Aug 10, 1994, 3:30 p.m.: 17 IR 2915; emergency rule filed Jan 27, 1995, 3:30 p.m.: 18 IR 1502; emergency rule filed Jun 15, 1995, 5:00 p.m.: 18 IR 2878, eff Jul 1, 1995; readopted filed Oct 30, 2001, 11:50 a.m.: 25 IR 899; readopted filed Mar 23, 2007, 11:31 a.m.: 20070404-IR-071070030RFA; readopted filed Nov 26, 2013, 11:25 a.m.: 20131225-IR-071130345RFA)