Meeting: Century Downs, Balzac, Alberta, Canada
April 5, 2025
In the opinion of the Board of Judges, OWNER/TRAINER/DRIVER, DAVID ADAM KELLY, PERM. ADD.: WHEATLAND COUNTY, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B.: OCTOBER 11, 1989, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 458(1)(g) A driver shall not commit any of the following acts which are considered violations of driving rules: fail to set or maintain a pace comparable to a pace that the caliber of horses in the race are capable of, resulting in an excessively slow quarter or any other distance, considering track conditions, weather and circumstances confronted in the race; while driving “BEEP BOP A LULA” in Race 6, Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
PENALTY: DAVID KELLY is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-FIVE DOLLARS ($195.00).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino
April 4, 2025
JOCKEY, RICARDO MORENO ANDRADE, PERM. ADD.: LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B. NOVEMBER 25, 1995, is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) for the misuse of the riding crop during training hours on Wednesday, April 2, 2024.
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 286(a) and 296(1)(a)(2)(a).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
The 2025-2027 Horse Racing Alberta Business Plan is now available for download from the documents page
2025 Racing Directives
Horse Racing Alberta is pleased to release the 2025 Directives for the Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta. We extend our sincere thanks to all stakeholders who submitted petitions and provided valuable feedback during the process.
For any inquiries, please contact the Board of Judges or Stewards, or reach out to Chuck Ibey, Director, Regulatory and Supervisor of Racing, at
Visit the Directives page for a full listing here
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules\ Part 3 Horse Racing Misconduct, Division 2 Rule Violations
The following rule is ADDED to Rule 287 g to read:
Rule 287 g Specific violations
(3) No licensee acting alone or in concert with another person shall compromise the welfare of a *horse for competitive or commercial reasons or subject or permit any *horse under the control, custody or supervision to be subjected to or to incur the following:
(a) any form of cruelty, mistreatment, neglect or abuse;
(b) abandonment, injury, maiming or killing (except for euthanasia for humane reasons and in a manner consistent with the current version of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals);
(c) administration of any noxious substance; or
(d) deprivation of necessary care, sustenance, shelter or veterinary care.
If the judges or stewards board, under the recommendation of the Official Veterinarian, are satisfied that a racing participant has failed to meet the health and welfare needs of *horses, the judges/stewards board may:
(a) assign financial penalties,
(b) refuse entries to horse races, and/or
(c) ban, suspend or apply conditions to the licence of the licensee.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 6 Standardbred Racing, Division 7 Driving Rules
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 457 s Pylon rule
(1) Racetracks with pylons shall meet the following criteria regarding pylon location, and design standards
(1) sixty (60) feet apart on the straight away
(2) forty (40) feet apart on the turns
(3) pylons leading into the passing lanes to be 15 feet or less apart
(4) thirty (30) inches in length above ground
(5) pylons shall have the top three inches of the pylon painted or taped bright orange.
(2) A horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike that leaves the race course by going inside the pylons which constitutes the inside limits of the course, when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another driver and/or horse may be in violation of this rule. In addition, when an act of interference causes a horse, or part of the horse's race bike, to cross inside the pylons and the horse is placed by the Judges, the offending horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered.
(a) if a horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike, goes inside two (2) consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed behind all horses that are lapped on to the offending horse at the wire,
(b) if a horse while on stride, or any part of the horse's race bike, goes inside three (3) or more consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed last, and
(c) if in the opinion of the Judges a horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike, goes inside a pylon(s) and that action gave the horse an unfair advantage over other horses in the race or the action helped improve its position in the race, the horse may be placed at the discretion of the Judges.
(3) Drivers who in the opinion of the Judges leave the racing course when not forced to do so as a result of another driver and/or horse may be subject to a monetary penalty or suspensions.
(4) Harness tracks using an extended/passing lane the following rules will apply:
(a) No horse shall pass on the extended/passing lane entering the homestretch for the first time during the race.
(b) The lead horse in the homestretch shall maintain as straight a course as possible while allowing trailing horses full, unobstructed access to the extended/passing lane.
(c) Horses using the extended/passing lane must have complete clearance to enter and use that lane.
(d) Drivers, who in the opinion of the Board of Judges, violates any of the above when not forced to do so as a result of another driver and/or horse may be subject to being placed, monetary penalty or suspension.
Rule 457 s Pylon Rule currently states: (amended 03/20)
(1) Racetracks with pylons shall meet the following criteria regarding pylon location, and design standards
(1) sixty (60) feet apart on the straight away
(2) forty (40) feet apart on the turns
(3) pylons leading into the passing lanes to be 15 feet or less apart
(4) thirty (30) inches in length above ground
(5) pylons shall have the top three inches of the pylon painted or taped bright orange.
(2) A horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike that leaves the race course by going inside the pylons which constitutes the inside limits of the course, when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another driver and/or horse may be in violation of this rule. In addition, when an act of interference causes a horse, or part of the horse's race bike, to cross inside the pylons and the horse is placed by the Judges, the offending horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered.
(a) if a horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike, goes inside two (2) consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed behind all horses that are lapped on to the offending horse at the wire,
(b) if a horse while on stride, or any part of the horse's race bike, goes inside three (3) or more consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed last, and
(c) if in the opinion of the Judges a horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike, goes inside a pylon(s) and that action gave the horse an unfair advantage over other horses in the race or the action helped improve its position in the race, the horse may be placed at the discretion of the Judges.
(3) Drivers who in the opinion of the Judges leave the racing course when not forced to do so as a result of another driver and/or horse may be subject to a monetary penalty or suspensions.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 4 Claiming Rules
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 315 g Claiming prohibitions
(1) No person may offer to, nor enter into an agreement to, *claim or not to claim a *horse, or attempt to prevent a claim being made, nor may any person, by intimidation, prevent a horse from being run in a *claiming race.
(2) The *judges/stewards board may prohibit persons from *claiming if it considers that the purpose of making the claim would
(a) not advance the interests of the Alberta horse racing industry,
(b) not be in the best interests of racing in Alberta, or
(c) be contrary to the purpose of claiming races or the public interest.
(3) All Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses claimed must *race within 45 days of the claim. If unable to race within 45 days, the owner and/or trainer must provide a veterinary certificate explaining why the horse is medically unable to race. This certificate must be accepted by the Official Veterinarian.
(a) If the owner and/or trainer fails to provide an acceptable veterinary certificate, they may lose their claiming privileges for 365 days (one year).
Rule 315 g Claiming prohibitions currently states: (amended 04/23)
(1) No person may offer to, nor enter into an agreement to, *claim or not to claim a *horse, or attempt to prevent a claim being made, nor may any person, by intimidation, prevent a horse from being run in a *claiming race.
(2) The *judges/stewards board may prohibit persons from *claiming if it considers that the purpose of making the claim would
(a) not advance the interests of the Alberta horse racing industry,
(b) not be in the best interests of racing in Alberta, or
(c) be contrary to the purpose of claiming races or the public interest.
(3) All Thoroughbred and Quarter horses claimed must race back within 30 days from the date of the *claim. If a *horse does not race back within 30 days of a claim, the trainer must produce a veterinary certificate stating the reason why the *horse is medically unsound to race. Should the trainer not be able to produce the document that is acceptable by the official veterinarians, the trainer loses their claiming privileges for the remainder of the season. If a *horse is claimed within 30 days of the end of the meet, the *horse must come back and race the first 30 days of the following season. If the *horse does not race within those 30 days, the trainer must produce a veterinary certificate stating the reason why the *horse medically is unsound to race.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 3 Horse Racing Misconduct, Division 4 Misconduct of racing officials and racing participants
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 300 g Prohibited blood/alcohol concentrations
(1) A racing official or racing participant violates these rules
(a) if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds 50 mgs (milligrams) of alcohol in 100 mls (millilitres) of blood, a 2nd test will be administered at least 20 minutes after the first sample was obtained. The average of the 2 tests can not exceed 50 mgs (milligrams) of alcohol in 100 mls (millilitres) of blood.
(b) while unfit for work on account of the use of a prescription, medically authorized or non-prescription drug; or
(c) with a level of drugs in excess of the concentrations listed in the table below:
Oral Fluid Drug Concentration Limits:
| Drugs or classes of Drugs | Screening concentration equal to or in excess of ng/ml | Confirmation concentration equal to or in excess of ng/ml | Confirmation Test includes | |
| AMP | Amphetamine Methamphetamine |
50 35 |
50 | Amphetamines, Methamphetamine, MDA, MDEA, MDMA |
| COC | Cocaine Parent | 20 | 8 | Cocaine Metabolite, Cocaine Parent |
| OPI | Opiates (Morphine) | 20 | 40 | Morphine, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, 6AM |
| THC | Marijuana (Parent) (Delta-9 THC) | 5 | 4 | Marijuana Parent |
(2) If a person who violates subsection (1),
(a) is a judge or steward, that individual must be relieved of their duties immediately by the Supervisor of Racing and referred to Horse Racing Alberta;
(b) is a jockey or driver, that individual will be immediately removed from all mounts or drives scheduled for that day and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee, or both;
(c) is any other Safety Sensitive position (excluding jockeys and drivers) and all other positions, that person will be immediately removed from all duties on the grounds for the day and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee or both;
(d) all other Persons, immediate removal from all duties on the grounds and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee, or both.
Rule 300 g Prohibited blood/alcohol concentrations currently state: (amended 08/19)
(1) A racing official or racing participant violates these rules if they report to work:
(a) with blood/alcohol concentration reading of more than 50 milligrams of alcohol in one hundred millilitres of blood;
(b) while unfit for work on account of the use of a prescription, medically authorized or non-prescription drug; or
(c) with a level of drugs in excess of the concentrations listed in the table below:
| Drugs or classes of Drugs | Screening concentration equal to or in excess of ng/ml | Confirmation concentration equal to or in excess of ng/ml | Confirmation Test includes | |
| AMP | Amphetamine Methamphetamine |
50 35 |
50 | Amphetamines, Methamphetamine, MDA, MDEA, MDMA |
| COC | Cocaine Parent | 20 | 8 | Cocaine Metabolite, Cocaine Parent |
| OPI | Opiates (Morphine) | 20 | 40 | Morphine, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, 6AM |
| THC | Marijuana (Parent) (Delta-9 THC) | 5 | 4 | Marijuana Parent |
(2) If a person who violates subsection (1),
(a) is a judge or steward, that individual must be relieved of their duties immediately by the Supervisor of Racing and referred to Horse Racing Alberta;
(b) is a jockey or driver, that individual will be immediately removed from all mounts or drives scheduled for that day and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee, or both;
(c) is any other Safety Sensitive position (excluding jockeys and drivers) and all other positions, that person will be immediately removed from all duties on the grounds for the day and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee or both;
(d) all other Persons, immediate removal from all duties on the grounds and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee,or both.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
Spring Examination:
- April 17th
- Location: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino | 1-4 pm
- Register by: April 15th
Summer Examination:
- July 10th
- Location: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino | 1-4 pm
- Register by: July 8th
For more information or to register please contact
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 3 Horse Racing Misconduct, Division 2 Rule Violations
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 287 g Specific violations
(1) A person also *violates these rules who
(xxxi) Dogs are permitted in the barn area at Alberta race tracks under the following conditions:
(a) dogs are permitted in the backstretch area only for individuals residing on the property,
(b) dogs are strictly prohibited from entering barns under any circumstances,
(c) no dogs are to be walked during training or racing hours,
(d) all dogs must always be on a leash while on the property, owners must maintain full control of their dogs to prevent incidents,
(e) only vaccinated and healthy dogs shall be permitted,
(f) owners must take responsibility to ensure proper clean up after their dog and the dog’s behavior must not disrupt horses, drivers, riders or other workers.
Service dogs that are qualified under the Government of Alberta's Service Dogs Act and possess a valid Government of Alberta Service Dog Identification Card are permitted access to all Horse Racing Alberta licensed race tracks. Handlers must present this identification upon request and ensure the service dog is under control at all times.
Rule 287 g (1) (xxxi) Specific violations currently states:
(1) A person also *violates these rules who
(xxxi) Permits a dog to enter a stable area during a race meeting;
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA