CHRB Issues Directive Related to Workouts
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Green Mask trains in California prior to the 2016 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park
The California Horse Racing Board issued the following directive July 8 to associations, clockers, owners, and trainers organizations from Scott Chaney, the regulator's executive director:
Over the last few years, rules have been promulgated by the CHRB that create regulatory protocols surrounding workouts. These include, but are not limited to, medication restrictions, IA injection restrictions, shockwave therapy and veterinary examinations. The CHRB is considering additional rules that limit the accumulation of high-speed furlongs over time.
Current CHRB Rules 1878 and 1866.2 define workout as an "exercise session near full speed, or close to full speed." Additionally, the Authority created by HISA has several rules that involve workouts, and it defines workout in rule 2010 as "an official timed running of a Covered Horse over a predetermined distance not associated with a race." Historically, with the exception of two-year-olds early in the year, workouts less than 3 furlongs have not been timed and recorded.
In order to promote transparency for the wagering public, to comply with the requirements of HISA and to make it clear that all of the regulations related to workouts apply to any exercise session near full speed or close to full speed regardless of distance, trainers are directed to comply with the provisions of CHRB Rule 1878 for all distances including those less than 3 furlongs and clockers/associations are directed to record and publish all exercise sessions near full speed or close to full speed including those less than 3 furlongs.
Effective immediately, the CHRB will file a complaint for failure to comply with the workout regulations, regardless of distance.