MTHA Board approves change in claiming rule, restores starter condition

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors at its April 16 open meeting approved a suggested change in the Maryland claiming rule. The MTHA conducted a comprehensive analysis of claiming rules in other jurisdictions and found the current rule to be more restrictive.

The existing rule prohibits a claimed horse from starting in a claiming race for less than 25% more than the claiming price for a period of 30 days from the date of the claim.

The revised rule, which requires approval from the Maryland Racing Commission, is as follows:

When a horse is claimed, it shall not be eligible to start in a claiming race for less than 25% more than the claiming price for a period of 20 days from the date of the claim. For the following 10-day period (Days 21-30), the horse may only start in a claiming race at a price equal or greater than the amount for which it was claimed. Beginning on Day 31, the horse may start in a claiming race at any claiming price.

The Maryland Jockey Club endorsed the change, noting that the racing office writes a 21-day condition book. A similar rule is in place in other jurisdictions in the region.

"We're all for it," said Bill Knauf, TMJC President and General Manager.

"It's a sensible rule for what is going on today," said trainer A. Ferris Allen, a member of the MTHA Board.

In related business, the MTHA board after debate voted to restore race conditions for a starter allowance $25,000 for non-winners of two races lifetime and non-winners of three races lifetime.

MTHA Board Vice President Linda Gaudet made the motion to restore the conditions based on a recommendation from TMJC, which believes it will lead to an increase in field size. Currently, trainers with horses that fit the condition travel to Pennsylvania tracks, which offer it, as does Delaware Park, which begins its live meet in mid-May.

Gaudet noted the MTHA Purse Committee earlier approved the recommendation to restore the starter conditions after review.

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