New York regulators are taking the initial steps to further relax the state's pari-mutuel coupling rules as part of an effort pushed by Thoroughbred tracks and horsemen and Thoroughbred breeding groups in the state.
The New York State Gaming Commission okayed a first step to adopting amendments to the state's coupling rules for Thoroughbred races that govern how horses in certain circumstances must be listed as a single entry. Those pushing for further refinements say less restrictive rules would boost betting handle.
Robert Williams, the commission's executive director, told the agency's board members March 24 that proposed changes to the existing coupling rules, last amended in July 2015, comes after a staff review of the action a decade ago "identified no substantive systematic concerns." That change ended mandatory coupling in stakes races with purses of $50,000 or more.
"Accordingly, staff recommends that the commission undertake a measured approach while allowing broader uncoupling,'' Williams said. The agency noted other states have already moved to relax previous coupling rules and that they have been "implemented successfully,'' according to a document submitted to the board Monday.
The proposed changes okayed Monday will now go for a 60-day public comment period. When the agency's commissioners might take up action on a final rule is uncertain, but it would be months down the road at the earliest.
The proposal would give more discretion to state racing stewards about coupling decisions in Thoroughbred races if the steward finds it necessary in "the public interest."
The draft language notes that the changes would affect "horses that have the same individual present in the managing ownership of the horses, that share a 25% commonality in ownership or that share a common trainer may be coupled and run as an entry in a race and, if not coupled, the racetrack operator shall take such actions that are necessary to inform the public adequately with regard to the common ownership and/or trainer that would otherwise make such horses eligible to be coupled as a single betting interest pursuant to this section."
It adds: "If there are more than two horses sharing common ownership, as set forth in this subdivision, or a common trainer, such horses shall be coupled."
The Gaming Commission noted the changes to the coupling rule were pushed by the New York Racing Association, Finger Lakes, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and the New York Thoroughbred Owners.
"NYRA has long advocated for the elimination of coupled entries in New York, and we appreciate the action taken by the New York State Gaming Commission to modernize these rules in alignment with major racing jurisdictions across the country. The proposed rule change would benefit the wagering public by increasing field size while generating additional handle to support New York's horsemen and the broader racing community,'' NYRA spokesman Patrick McKenna said Monday.
The proposed amendments were given the initial okay Monday by the commission without any dissent or discussion.
