The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) is seeking public comment prior to conducting a public hearing next month on a proposal to allow horses to run for purse money only as non-wagering interests in rare circumstances
. The public hearing will be part of the regular monthly Board meeting scheduled April 28 at Hollywood Park.
The amendment to Rule 1974 proposes that on those infrequent occasions when “a horse is removed from the wagering pool due to a totalizator error, or due to any other error, and neither the trainer nor the owner is at fault, the horse shall start in the race as a non-wagering interest for the purse only, and shall be disregarded for pari-mutuel purposes.” Additionally, the amendment states that when such a horse is running for purse money only, “the circumstances shall be announced over the public address system at the time the action is taken and thereafter to adequately inform the public. The racing association shall also inform off-track wagering outlets at the time such action is taken.”
The 45-day public comment period for this and related amendments began March 4. Written comments about this proposed regulatory action will be accepted until April 18. Written comments must be submitted to Harold Coburn, regulations analyst, at the California Horse Racing Board, 1010 Hurley Way, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95825, either by regular mail or by e-mail to [email protected].
The public also is encouraged to comment during the public hearing on April 28. The agenda for that meeting, including the starting time, will be posted on the CHRB website on or before April 18.
The proposed amendment to allow horses to run only for purse money addresses situations where horses are mistakenly removed from the totalizator system. The current two options for the stewards are either to scratch the horse, which unfairly penalizes the owner and trainer who were not at fault, or to order the horse placed back into the wagering system, which unfairly penalizes anyone who attempted to wager on that horse while it was out of the system.
(CHRB)
Related Story