No more coupled entries at Woodbine

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which oversees horse racing in the province, has announced a rule change that eliminates coupled entries in overnight races.

With the new rule, all entries in overnight and stakes races will be individual betting interests. Woodbine had previously run stakes races with uncoupled entries.

The rule change followed a request from the industry this spring. The proposed change went through a consultation period, and the AGCO said there was support for the new rule from industry stakeholders.

The new rule states that a trainer may not enter more than two horses in an overnight race. If a trainer does enter two horses, the second entry may not exclude a single entry from a race, meaning the second entry would automatically be placed on the also-eligible list in the event of a full field. In addition, a trainer’s second entry may not be allowed in an overnight race unless there are already five or more horses entered.

The new rule goes into effect with the Fort Erie’s card Tuesday.