California claiming rule may be revised

The California Horse Racing Board is expected to discuss a possible rule revision later this summer that will allow owners and trainers to take possession of claimed horses placed on the veterinarian’s list for unsoundness, according to a racing board spokesman.

Since May, claims have been voided in California on horses placed on a vet’s list for unsoundness.

Under a proposed rule change discussed at Friday’s medication and track safety committee meeting, owners and trainers will be allowed to make a designation on the claiming slip submitted before a race to have a horse transferred to their possession regardless of its post-race condition.

The proposed change must be approved by the full racing board, which has its next meeting Aug. 22. If approved by the racing board, the revised rule would not be enacted for several months, following a period of public comment and legal review.

On the Southern California Thoroughbred circuit, 14 claims were voided during the Betfair Hollywood Park meeting, which ended July 14. In the first three days of racing at the current Del Mar meeting, there have been four instances of claims being voided for unsoundness.