KHRC Committee Passes Adjusting Dual Entry Rules

The rules committee of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission unanimously advanced a motion Jan. 17 that will allow trainers to run two horses in an overnight race without having one lose preference when a race is overdrawn. 

Kentucky's established rule had been that an owner or trainer was not allowed to run two horses to the exclusion of another in a given race. Racing officials required trainers to indicate a first preference for two horses when running a pair.

In advance of Tuesday's meeting, KHRC executive director Jamie Eads said the regulator had heard from trainers with large stables supportive of the now-passed rule and others with smaller stables stating they wished to retain the previous restriction.

Owners continue to be prohibited from starting two horses to the exclusion of another.

The rules do not apply to stakes races such as the Kentucky Derby (G1), where it is not uncommon for a trainer to have two or more entries in what is usually an oversubscribed race.

KHRC committees typically make recommendations to the full commission for approval.

Rules committee members also discussed expanding the number of owners a horse can have at the time of entry and whether owners of large partnerships could be listed in the program. They delayed taking action, pending more research.

Members were supportive of owners being able to see their names in print but were informed of some of the logistical challenges, including small font sizes and space limitations of 200 characters.