Homegrown Heroes - 2018 Canadian Derby Feature (video)

Homegrown Heros features the connections to Shimshine and Regal Max — the two local favourites running in the 89th Canadian Derby. This year's renewal is set for Saturday, August 25 at Northlands Park Racetrack and Casino. Post time is noon.

2024 Racing Directives

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 2 Race Meetings \ Division 2 Entries and Nominations

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

Rule 164 t Limitation on entries

(1) A *horse may only be entered in a major and minor race meeting if:

(a) in the case of a horse that is racing for the 1st lifetime start, the horse has had, in the presence of an official clocker, 2 qualifying workouts within 30 *days of the day of the race for which it is entered and the results have been filed with the racing secretary and are included in the official program;

(b) in the case of a race of less than 6 furlongs, the horse has either started or had, in the presence of an official clocker, one qualifying workout within 30 days of the day of the race for which it is entered and the results have been filed with the racing secretary;

(c) in the case of a race of 6 furlongs or more, the horse has either started or had, in the presence of an official clocker, one qualifying workout of at least 5 furlongs within 30 days of the day of the race for which it is entered and the results have been filed with the racing secretary;

(d) in the case of a horse that has not started for 30 days or more but has had a race of five furlongs or more during the current calendar year, the horse must have, in the presence of an official clocker, one qualifying workout of at least 4 furlongs within 30 days of the day of the race for which it is entered, and the results have been filed with the racing secretary.

(2) A Quarter Horse may only be entered in a major and minor *race meeting if:

(a) in the case of a quarter horse is racing for the 1st lifetime start, the horse has had, in the presence of an official clocker, 2 qualifying workouts within 45 *days of the day of the race for which it is entered, and the results have been filed with the racing secretary and are included in the official program; and

(b) in the case the quarter horse has not started for 45 days or more, but has had raced in the current calendar year, the horse must have, in the presence of an official clocker, one qualifying workout within 45 days of the race for which it has been entered.

(3) If a race in the condition book is written

(a) in yards as the distance, all horses entered in the race would follow the Quarter Horse qualifying 45 day rule and,

(b) in furlongs as the distance, all horses entered in the race would follow the Thoroughbred qualifying 30 day rule.

Rule 164 t Limitation on entries currently states:

(1) A *horse may only be entered in a major and minor race meeting if:

(a) in the case of a horse that is racing for the 1st lifetime start, the horse has had, in the presence of an official clocker, 2 qualifying workouts within 30 *days of the day of the race for which it is entered and the results have been filed with the racing secretary and are included in the official program;

(b) in the case of a race of less than 6 furlongs, the horse has either started or had, in the presence of an official clocker, one qualifying workout within 30 days of the day of the race for which it is entered and the results have been filed with the racing secretary;

(c) in the case of a race of 6 furlongs or more, the horse has either started or had, in the presence of an official clocker, one qualifying workout of at least 5 furlongs within 30 days of the day of the race for which it is entered and the results have been filed with the racing secretary;

(d) in the case of a horse that has not started for 30 days or more but has had a race of five furlongs or more during the current calendar year, the horse must have, in the presence of an official clocker, one qualifying workout of at least 4 furlongs within 30 days of the day of the race for which it is entered, and the results have been filed with the racing secretary.

(2) A two-year old Quarter Horse may only be entered in a major and minor *race meeting if:

(a) in the case of a two-year old quarter horse is racing for the 1st lifetime start, the horse has had, in the presence of an official clocker, 2 qualifying workouts within 45 *days of the day of the race for which it is entered, and the results have been filed with the racing secretary and are included in the official program; and

(b) in the case the two-year old quarter horse has not started for 45 days or more, but has had raced in the current calendar year, the horse must have, in the presence of an official clocker, one qualifying workout within 45 days of the race for which it has been entered.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.

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 2 Race Meetings \ Division 4 Apprentice Jockeys, Jockeys and Jockey’s Agents

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

Rule 207 t Attendance at the jockey’s room

(1) *Jockeys must attend at the jockey’s room each *day of the *race meeting at least one hour before post time of any race in which they are programmed to ride, unless excused by the Stewards.

(2) Jockeys must remain in the jockey’s room until their engagements for the day have been completed.

(3) After leaving the jockey’s room the jockey must not return without the consent of the jockey’s room superintendent or the superintendent’s designate.

(4) Jockeys must fulfill all engagements in respect to racing unless excused by the *stewards board.

Rule 207 t Attendance at the jockey’s room currently states:

(1) *Jockeys must attend at the jockey’s room each *day of the *race meeting to be weighted at such time as may be designated by the clerk of scales.

(2) Jockeys must remain in the jockey’s room until their engagements for the day have been completed.

(3) After leaving the jockey’s room the jockey must not return without the consent of the jockey’s room superintendent or the superintendent’s designate.

(4) Jockeys must fulfill all engagements in respect to racing unless excused by the *stewards board.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.

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 2 Race Meetings \ Division 2 Entries and Nominations

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

Rule 153 t Conditions on racing a horse

(1) A *horse may only be entered in a *horse race if

(a) In the case of a horse entered in a thoroughbred *race, the horse has been registered with the Jockey Club;

(b) in the case of a horse entered in a quarter horse race, the horse has been registered with the American Quarter Horse Association;

(c) in the case of a horse entered in a race for other breeds, the horse has been registered with their respective breed organizations that are recognized by *Horse Racing Alberta;

(d) registration certificates have been filed with the *licensed operator, unless filing is excused by the *stewards board;

(e) the horse is in good standing, is owned by a *licensed owner and is in the care of and saddled by a *trainer;

(f) the horse is entered in the name of the *owner as recorded on the registration certificate or in the name of a registered lessee, or in their respective stable names.

(2) Thoroughbred horses foaled in Canada must be registered with the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society prior to being allowed to race.

Rule 153 t Conditions on entering horses in races currently states:

(1) A *horse may only be entered in a *horse race if

(a) In the case of a horse entered in a thoroughbred *race, the horse has been registered with The Jockey Club;

(b) in the case of a horse entered in a quarter horse race, the horse has been registered with the American Quarter Horse Association;

(c) in the case of a horse entered in a race for other breeds, the horse has been registered with their respective breed organizations that are recognized by *Horse Racing Alberta;

(d) registration certificates have been filed with the *licensed operator, unless filing is excused by the *stewards board;

(e) the horse is in good standing, is owned by a *licensed owner and is in the care of and saddled by a *trainer;

(f) the horse is entered in the name of the *owner as recorded on the registration certificate or in the name of a registered lessee, or in their respective stable names.

(2) Horses foaled in Canada and registered only with The Jockey Club may be entered in thoroughbred races in major meets but are not eligible for

(a) any weight allowance accorded to Canadian *bred horses or Alberta bred horses;

(b) any race restricted to *Canadian bred horse or Alberta bred horses;

(c) any *entry preference accorded to Canadian bred horses or Alberta bred horses;

(d) any weight allowance accorded to Canadian bred horses or Alberta bred horses.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 25 day of March 2024.

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 6 Driving Rules

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

Rule 443 s Starting gate

All races must be started with a mobile starting gate of a design approved by the provincial regulatory body. The starting gate must be equipped with two-way communications to the Judges’ stand and a mechanical loud speaker to be used for the sole purpose of communicating instructions to drivers. Other use of the loudspeaker is a violation.

Rule 443 s Starting gate currently states:

All races must be started with a mobile starting gate of a design approved by the provincial regulatory body. No person shall be allowed to ride in the starting gate except the starter, the driver and a patrol judge without the permission of the Judges. The starting gate must be equipped with two-way communications to the Judges’ stand and a mechanical loud speaker to be used for the sole purpose of communicating instructions to drivers. Other use of the loudspeaker is a violation.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.

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 6 Racing Rules

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

Rule 436s Sulkies

Sulkies are only permitted to be used in a race if they are of the conventional dual-shaft and dual-hitch type as follows:

(a) the sulky must have 2 shafts that must be parallel to, and securely hitched on each side of the horse,

(b) no point of hitch and no part of a shaft of a sulky is to be above a horizontal level equal to the lowest point of the horse’s back,

(c) all race bikes must be equipped with mud sheets and mud fenders at all extended meetings when deemed necessary by the Judges,

(d) the sulky must be equipped with wheel discs of a colour which is not prohibited by the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations (Canada), as amended from time to time, and

(e) only USTA approved conventional sulkies will be permitted to be used in a race.

Rule 436s Sulkies currently states:

Sulkies are only permitted to be used in a race if they are of the conventional dual-shaft and dual-hitch type as follows:

(a) the sulky must have 2 shafts that must be parallel to, and securely hitched on each side of the horse,

(b) no point of hitch and no part of a shaft of a sulky is to be above a horizontal level equal to the lowest point of the horse’s back,

(c) all race bikes must be equipped with mud sheets and mud fenders at all extended meetings when deemed necessary by the Judges,

(d) the sulky must be equipped with wheel discs of a colour which is not prohibited by the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations (Canada), as amended from time to time, and

(e) the sulky must be acceptable to the judges board.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.

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 326s Making the claim

(1) A *claim blank and the *claiming credit note, properly completed, and a claim certificate, if applicable, must be placed in the claim envelope provided by the *licensed operator for that purpose.

(2) The envelope must be sealed, the date and number of the *race written on it, and the envelope must be delivered to the horsemen's bookkeeper or another person designated for that purpose by the licensed operator at least 30 minutes before *post time of the race in respect of which the claim is being made.

(3) The horseman’s bookkeeper or designate must certify, by automatic time clock on the outside of the envelope, the time the envelope is received.

Rule 326s Making the claim currently states:

(1) A *claim blank and the *claiming credit note, properly completed, and a claim certificate, if applicable, must be placed in the claim envelope provided by the *licensed operator for that purpose.

(2) The envelope must be sealed, the date, *trainer’s name, and number of the *race written on it, and the envelope must be delivered to the horsemen's bookkeeper or another person designated for that purpose by the licensed operator at least 30 minutes before *post time of the race in respect of which the claim is being made.

(3) The horseman’s bookkeeper or designate must certify, by automatic time clock on the outside of the envelope, the time the envelope is received.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.

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 325t Claims and claims box

(1) For thoroughbred *races,

(a) the *claim blank and the *claiming credit note, properly completed, and claim certificate, if applicable, must be placed in the claim envelope provided by the *licensed operator for that purpose, and

(b) the envelope must be sealed and must have the date and number of the race written on it, and the envelope must be deposited in the claim box before the last *horse has left the paddock for the race.

(2) The claim box must be located in the paddock area under the supervision of the paddock *judge.

(3) The paddock judge must cause all claims to be reported to the *stewards board before the running of each race.

325t Claims and claim box currently states:

(1) For thoroughbred *races,

(a) the *claim blank and the *claiming credit note, properly completed, and claim certificate, if applicable, must be placed in the claim envelope provided by the *licensed operator for that purpose, and

(b) the envelope must be sealed and must have the date and number of the race, and the *trainer’s name, written on it, and the envelope must be deposited in the claim box before the last *horse has left the paddock for the race.

(2) The claim box must be located in the paddock area under the supervision of the paddock *judge.

(3) The paddock judge must cause all claims to be reported to the *stewards board before the running of each race.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.

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 2 Race Meetings \ Division 4 Apprentice Jockeys, Jockeys and Jockey’s Agents

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

210t Use of riding crops

(1) In a *race in which a *jockey will not ride with a riding crop; an announcement of that fact must be made over the public address system.

(2) Although the use of riding crop is not required, any jockey who uses a riding crop during a race must not apply to a *horse:

(a) On the head, flanks, or on any part of its body, other than the shoulders or hind quarters;

(b) During a post parade;

(c) Excessively or brutally, so as to cause welts or breaks in the skin;

(d) When the horse is clearly out of the race has obtained its maximum placing

(e) Persistently, even though the horse is showing no response under the riding crop.

(3) Correct uses of the riding crops are:

(a) Showing horses, the riding crop before urging them,

(b) Using the riding crop in rhythm with the horse's stride,

(c) Using the riding crop as an aid to maintain a horse running straight.

(d) Jockeys may use the riding crop on the hindquarters to activate and focus the horse a maximum of six times during a race. The six permitted uses shall be in increments of two or fewer strikes. The rider must allow at least two strides for the horse to respond before using the riding crop again.

(e) Jockeys may tap the horse on the shoulder with the riding crop while both hands are holding on to the reins and both hands are touching the neck of the horse.

Rule 210 t Use of riding crops currently states:

(1) In a *race in which a *jockey will not ride with a riding crop; an announcement of that fact must be made over the public address system.

(2) Although the use of riding crop is not required, any jockey who uses a riding crop during a race must not apply to a *horse:

(a) On the head, flanks, or on any part of its body, other than the shoulders or hind quarters;

(b) During a post parade;

(c) Excessively or brutally, so as to cause welts or breaks in the skin;

(d) When the horse is clearly out of the race has obtained its maximum placing;

(e) Persistently, even though the horse is showing no response under the riding crop.

(3) Correct uses of the riding crops are:

(a) Showing horses, the riding crop before urging them,

(b) Using the riding crop in rhythm with the horse's stride,

(c) Using the riding crop as an aid to maintain a horse running straight.

(d) Jockey may not apply the riding crop more than three (3) times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.

Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA