Regulatory Process Begins For Revised Claiming Rule

The Maryland Racing Commission at its May meeting set in motion the regulatory process required to change the claiming rule for Thoroughbred racing in the state. The proposed rule could be in place by this fall.

The existing rule prohibits a claimed horse from starting in a claiming race for less than 25% more than the claiming price for a period of 30 days from the date of the claim. The revised rule is as follows: When a horse is claimed, it shall not be eligible to start in a claiming race for less than 25% more than the claiming price for a period of 20 days from the date of the claim. For the following 10-day period (Days 21-30), the horse may only start in a claiming race at a price equal or greater than the amount for which it was claimed. Beginning on Day 31, the horse may start in a claiming race at any claiming price.

The Maryland Jockey Club endorsed the change, which was approved by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors.

In other business at the meeting, the MRC approved a request from TMJC to export its live racing signal to New Jersey, Colorado and West Virginia for fixed odds wagering. New Jersey and Colorado currently offer the form of betting. The West Virginia legislature approved fixed odds wagering in April.

The MRC also noted that in 2026 it will partner with the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium on a program that will allow veterinary students to shadow existing racetrack veterinarians and learn the trade. Maryland and other racing states are dealing with a dearth of vets, both regulatory and private.

“This is a way to try to get more large-animal practice vets in Maryland,” MRC Executive Director Chris Merz said.

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