NYRA Tracks to Establish Workout Requirements
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The New York Racing Association, effective Jan. 28, will mandate a minimum number of official recorded workouts for certain categories of racehorses.
The rules pertain to all meets at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.
NYRA officials Dec. 31 said that in order for first-time starters to be eligible to race, including 2-year-olds, they must have three published works—one of them at least a half mile—in the 45 days before the race. The horses also must be gate-approved.
Horses that haven't raced in 90 days will require three works, including one of at least a half mile, and must have two published works within 30 days of a race.
Horses that haven't raced in 60 days will require two works, including one of at least a half mile, and one work within 30 days of a race, while horses that haven't raced in 30 days will require one work of at least three-eighths of a mile within that time frame.
The workout requirement will be waived for foreign horses entering a stakes within seven days of clearing United States Department of Agriculture quarantine procedures, provided their native racing jurisdiction has no provision for timed workouts.
NYRA officials said horsemen seeking to run a horse that doesn't meet the new workout requirements must obtain permission from the stewards.