ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine has released its procedures and policies for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s new invalidation of claims rule that go into effect Thursday. There are two ways for the claimant to elect for post-race observation. The first is by checking the box located on the claim slip. If the box is not checked, the claimant or the claimant’s licensed representative may notify the assistant clerk of scales on the trackside apron. This must be done before horses start unsaddling from the race where the horse was claimed out of. The assistant clerk of scales will then notify the stewards that the claimant has opted into the observation period. All claim slips must include a contact number for the claimant or their representative. Once the claimant has selected post-race observation, they may not opt back out. As the horses from the race are unsaddling, the stewards will radio the official or commission veterinarian to indicate if a horse will be sent for observation. If a horse has been selected for post-race observation, the stewards will indicate whether the horse is being sent to the test barn or the designated observation area. They also will notify the assistant clerk of scales, who will have a valet or racing manager direct the horse’s representatives to the observation area. If the claimant opts in for post-race observation, the claimed horse will immediately proceed to the observation area, located in the former Standardbred barn on the west end of the main track, with the horse’s original connections.  If the claimed horse has been sent to the test barn, the horse will proceed there immediately with its original connections. Once the horse has provided a sample, it will vacate the test barn and be sent to the secondary observation area, located in the receiving barn.  It is mandatory for the claimant or their representative to remain on property throughout the observation period. It is recommended that the claimant or their representative be present at the observation area throughout the observation period.  In the event that the claimed horse is placed on the veterinarian’s list as unsound or visibly bleeding from the nostrils, or requires euthanasia due to injury, or dies during the observation period, the claimant can request an invalidation of claim through the stewards.  Upon placing the claimed horse on the veterinarian’s list, observing visible bleeding from the nostrils, administering euthanasia, or confirming death, the official veterinarian will notify the stewards. The stewards will then contact the claimant to offer invalidation of the claim. The decision to invalidate the claim must be made immediately, and upon confirming invalidation of the claim, the original owner or their representative must take the horse without delay to its original barn. Once the claim has officially been invalidated, the stewards will provide confirmation to the Equibase chart caller, who will then edit and publish the final version of the race chart.  Should the claim not be invalidated, the official or commission veterinarian will notify the claimant in the observation area. The claimed horse will then be transferred to the claimant and exit the observation area with them. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.