Petition 22-2027 (Limitation on Entries)

Describe the Issue

There have been situations in which a horse has been unable to race because of the additional day created by the rolling calculation.

What specific problems or concerns are involved in this issue?

Under the current twenty-one (21) day restriction, there have been situations in which a horse has been unable to race because of the additional day created by the rolling calculation. This can result in a horse having to wait for an additional race date and can also contribute to races being altered, combined, or reshuffled because an otherwise eligible horse cannot participate.

Who does the issue affect?

Owners, Trainers, Race Offices and Race Tracks

What existing HRA rules relate to this issue?

Directive No. 241-2026

What solution does this proposal provide?

The proposed change would provide a small amount of additional flexibility in the scheduling of horses without removing the underlying protection provided by the rule. A horse would continue to be limited to two starts within the applicable rolling period of 2 starts in 20 days.

How will the solution fix the problem?

The change would also better accommodate the actual scheduling of race cards and the circumstances faced by trainers, owners, racing offices, and race officials when determining whether horses are eligible to compete.

How will the change affect any entities or stakeholders?

This change would provide trainers, owners and the race offices with additional flexibility with a modest increase in scheduling.

What are the benefits of the proposed change?

The proposed amendment is intended to provide greater flexibility in race scheduling while maintaining a clear and enforceable limitation on the frequency with which a horse may start.

• Continue to limit a horse to no more than two starts within the applicable rolling period.
• Eliminate the additional day that can prevent a horse from participating in a race for which it would otherwise be eligible.
• Reduce circumstances in which race cards must be adjusted because of the twenty-one-day restriction.

What are the possible drawbacks of the proposed change?

None

For those stakeholder groups that have expressed an opinion, please list the points on which they agree or disagree, and the arguments they have expressed.

Race Office and Track Owners/Managers Trainers Owners A.C.T.R.A

Are there any affected stakeholder groups that have not been consulted on this proposal?

No

Please attach any formal letters of support or opposition by stakeholder groups. Files must be .pdf, .doc, .docx, rtf or .txt format and under 1024k for the system to accept the submission. You can add a maximum of 3 attachments.

Petition 2 starts in 21 Day Rule change.pdf

ACTRA Rule Petition Directive 241-2026.pdf

Please show new language in a new paragraph below the current wording. If you are proposing that current rule language be eliminated, please indicate the text to be deleted with [DELETE: copy to be deleted in square brackets]

“A horse is not permitted to start more than twice in any previous twenty (20) day period.”

If yes, please attach copies of those rules. Files must be pdf, jpg, jpeg, png or gif format and under 1024k. You can upload a maximum of 3 documents.

Thoroughbred - Chapter 6 Entries and Subscript….pdf

Submit proposed amendments to those rules to comply with changes that would be made by this proposal.

Directive 241-2026

Rule 157 t Limitation on entries (3) “A horse is not permitted to start more than twice in any previous twenty (20) day period.”