Cal. Code Regs. tit. 4 § 1561
The Racing Veterinarian shall examine each horse when it is first entered to race at the race meeting and they shall report to the stewards any horse which in their opinion is not of the age or condition which is satisfactory for the type of racing to be conducted at the meeting. The stewards may declare any such horse so reported as ineligible to be entered or started at the meeting until such time as the Racing Veterinarian certifies such horse to be raceably sound. The Racing Veterinarian shall be present in the paddock, on the race course, and at the starting gate during the saddling, the parade, and until the horses are dispatched from the gate for the race, and they shall examine any horse when there is a question as to the physical condition of such horse. They shall report any horse which in their opinion is incapable of physically exerting its best effort to win to the stewards who may declare such horse from the race. The Racing Veterinarian shall examine any horse which appears in physical distress during the race, at the finish of the race and they shall report such horse together with their opinion as to the cause of the distress to the stewards and to the official veterinarian. The Racing Veterinarian has the authority to treat any horse in event of an emergency, accident or injury, and they are authorized to humanely destroy any horse which in their opinion is so seriously injured that it is in the best interests of racing to so act, and every horse owner and trainer in participating in a race in this State does consent thereto. The Racing Veterinarian shall recommend to the official veterinarian those horses which by reason of physical disability should be placed on the Veterinarian's List and they may recommend removal from the list of those horses which in their opinion can satisfactorily compete in a race.
The Racing Veterinarian shall have direct reporting responsibility to the official veterinarian and the Board of Stewards and in exercising their duties under this section shall make required reports to the official veterinarian and the Board of Stewards as provided herein. No licensed official or other employee of the Association or fair shall have authority to override or interfere with that reporting responsibility or the proper exercise of the duties and responsibilities of the Racing Veterinarian.
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 4, § 1561
Note: Auhority cited: Sections 19440, 19460 and 19562, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 19440, 19460 and 19562, Business and Professions Code.