Hollywood Race 4 Sunday
 

Did anyone notice the assistant starter behind the gate? Right at the break he cocked his leather lead and hit one of the starters(either #4 or #5) in the rear. Is this legal? Looks like a disadvantage to the others.

It's legal just as long as they don't try to get a marriage license.

Yes, it is legal. The assistant starters don't just do it on their own. The trainer needs to ask to have it done.

I don't think it should be legal. I don't know why anyone would want it done to their horse any way. Even if it did make them break a little better, it could have detrimental effects in the long-run. I wouldn't want anything done that could conceivably make the horse nervous in the starting gate in the future.

Thanks for the reply. I agree that it may create bad gate habits and should be illegal.