Rule keeps Proven Cure, 13, out of stakes

Proven Cure, the 13-year-old gelding who was being pointed for Wednesday night's $50,000 Lone Star Park Turf Sprint, was not entered in the race because he is ineligible to start.

According to the Texas Racing Act, a horse older than 12 may not start in the state unless he has won a race in the past 12 months. Proven Cure just missed fulfilling the requirement, with his last win having come on April 22, 2006, when he won an overnight turf sprint stakes at Lone Star.

John Locke, who trains Proven Cure, said he believed the rule had been amended in the past year, and he nominated Proven Cure to the Lone Star Park Turf Sprint. But before entries were taken Sunday, stewards told him on Saturday that Proven Cure was ineligible.

"The way it's written, even if a horse won last year, which he did, he's only eligible for 12 months from that win, instead of the entire next year," said Locke. "I don't think there should be a mandatory retirement age for horses."

Proven Cure last raced on May 28, and was fourth in a turf sprint stakes at Canterbury. Prior to the race he was second by a head in a turf sprint allowance at Lone Star on April 20. Locke said the gelding's next start will be discussed with owner William Reed. Proven Cure has won 21 of 89 starts and $748,081.