MTHA Board Supports Amendment To Existing Trainer Entry Rule

Recent commentary published in The Baltimore Banner regarding a proposal unanimously approved by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors has created confusion about what the Board actually voted to support.

Contrary to the description in the Banner’s article, the proposal does not seek to create a new ability for trainers to enter three horses in overnight races. Maryland regulations already permit multiple entries, including up to three horses under certain circumstances.

The proposal addresses a narrow issue involving entry preferences when races overfill. Under the current regulation, a trainer may not run more than two horses if doing so would exclude another horse from the field.

In a recent race, a locally owned and trained horse was relegated to the Also Eligible list while a New York shipper received preference although the local horse had a more recent entry date. The amendment supported by the MTHA Board would remove this restriction and allow Maryland’s existing date-preference system to determine which horses receive entry when a race overfills.

The proposal is intended to address entry preferences while maintaining sufficient independent betting interests for wagering purposes.

It is important to note that the MTHA Board of Directors does not have the authority to amend Maryland racing regulations. The Board’s action merely authorizes advocacy before the Maryland Racing Commission, which retains sole authority to review, modify, approve, or reject any proposed amendment to COMAR 09.10.01.17. The Board supported pursuing this change because it believes the proposal is in the best interests of Maryland horsemen and would allow existing entry preferences to be determined through the current date-preference system.