Change to California claiming rule

A controversial rule that voids claims on horses who have been designated as unsound will be changed July 1 to allow owners and trainers to designate in advance that they will accept an unsound horse.

Earlier this year, the California Horse Racing Board voted to relax the rule, which took effect under stricter guidelines in May 2013. The amended rule was subject to a public-comment period and legal review by the state Office of Administrative Law.

Under the new rule, owners and trainers can check a box on the claim slip submitted before a race, accepting a horse’s condition even if it is placed on a veterinarian’s list. Owners and trainers say such a designation could be used when claiming a potential broodmare, or if a horse has an issue that is not serious enough to discourage a claim.

Through Sunday, there had been 13 claims voided at the Santa Anita spring-summer meeting because of unsoundness, according to racing officials. During the winter-spring meeting, there were 37 claims voided for unsoundness. Those horses were returned to the owner and trainer for which they raced. The decision to place a horse on the vet’s list is made by track stewards, acting on advice from state or official veterinarians.

Under the amended rule, a claim submitted for a horse who is euthanized or dies on the racetrack will remain voided.