Revised Claiming Rule Awaits Final Action

The Maryland Racing Commission Aug. 13 approved a proposed revision of the Thoroughbred claiming rule that was requested by The Maryland Jockey Club and endorsed by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.

The revised rule, which now goes through a public comment period required for such changes before it takes effect, reads as follows: “If a horse is claimed, the horse 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 period of the 21st through the 30th day after the horse is claimed, the horse may only start in a claiming race at a price equal to or greater than the amount for which it was claimed, and for the period after the 30th day after the horse is claimed, the horse may start in a claiming race of any claiming price.”

The current rule states that for a period of 30 days of a claim, the horse may start in a claiming race only for a claiming price at least 25% more than the current claiming price for which it was claimed.

The revised rule is in line with those in other jurisdictions and also with the manner in which the condition book is written.

‍