On Tuesday, August 9, the New York State Gaming Commission announced the adoption of three amendments relating to the use of hopples, coupled entries, and claiming rules.
In regard to the hopples, the amendments allow the trainer discretion when entering a horse to race to change whether a horse will use hopples or not, subject to oversight by the commission judges at the racetrack. The disqualification rule will no longer require the judges’ permission for a horse’s first use of hopples. The program will disclose any changes in a horse’s use of hopples. To view the notice, click here.
In regard to the coupled entries, the amendments provide that for stakes races of $25,000 or more, separately-owned horses having the same trainer may be uncoupled, although horses owned and trained by the same trainer would continue to be coupled entries. For stakes races of $100,000 or more, horses with common ownership may be uncoupled. The uncoupling of horses will continue to be subject to the discretion of the presiding judge to couple any entries in the interest of the wagering public. To view the notice, click here.
In regard to claiming rules, the amendments revise the commission’s current claiming rules to permit a claimant to void a claim when samples collected the day of the claiming race test positive for an impermissible drug administration. This will clarify that a claimant can void a claim when race-day, pre-race samples test positive in violation of recently adopted thresholds. In addition, the amendments conform the Standardbred to the Thoroughbred rule that permits a claimant to void a claim based on an equine drug positive in the race preceding the claiming race, in situations in which the earlier race’s positive drug test result was not revealed until after the claiming race. To view the notice, click here.
Please note that the new rules will become effective upon publication in the State Register on August 10, 2016.
(With files from the NYSGC)