(a) The executive secretary may appoint a substitute racing judge to serve in the absence of a racing judge.(b) To be eligible to be appointed as a substitute racing judge, an individual must be qualified to serve as a racing judge.(c) If an approved official becomes unavailable to serve, the association may appoint a substitute official with the approval of the racing judges. The substitute official must obtain a Commission license before assuming his or her duties.(d) If a vacancy occurs among the racing officials other than the racing judges and the association has not appointed an approved substitute, or if a vacancy occurs after a performance has begun, the racing judges shall immediately appoint another qualified individual to fill the vacancy. To be eligible for appointment under this subsection, an individual must be licensed by the Commission as an official. An appointment made under this subsection is valid only for the day of the appointment, unless the association fails to fill the vacancy on the following day and notifies the racing judges not later than one hour before post time for the first race of the day. The racing judges shall immediately report to the executive secretary all appointments made under this subsection.