Beginning with the 2014-2015 season at The Meadowlands, there will be a new
condition attached to all Late and Early Closer Finals that limits the number
of horses a trainer can enter into the Final of those events. All Late
Closer and Early Closer Finals will carry the following clause:
" No trainer may race more than two horses in this race.
This does not apply to any horses raced in a trainer's stable from the first
charted race of the horse’s career. Any trainer change that applies to the
spirit of this condition must be made a minimum of 30 days in advance
of the race date to be considered valid for the purpose of this race."
This rule has been implemented in response to our customers complaints
regarding trainers having an abundance of horses in one race while being sure
not to discourage any horsemen from purchasing yearlings. This clause
does allow a trainer to enter any number of horses he wishes into the Final of
a Late Closer or Early Closer, provided he or she has been that horse’s trainer
since its first charted race, including baby races and qualifiers.
However, a trainer will be limited to entering two horses that he or she has
not trained since its first charted race.
“This rule is in the best interest of
the betting public, the horsemen and the harness racing industry as a whole,”
said Meadowlands Chairman Jeff Gural. "The purpose of this rule is
to address complaints we have received from our customers and to avoid
discouraging anyone from purchasing yearlings. We recognize that if a
trainer should happen to have three good horses that fit the condition of a
race that he or she has trained since the beginning of his career, he or she
should be allowed to enter all three. This rule impacts only horses that
are no longer racing for their original trainer.”
In addition, a trainer change between the rounds of eliminations and Finals for
the events at The Meadowlands will not be allowed simply to ensure a certain
horse can enter the Final. The trainer change must be made a minimum of
30 days prior to the date of the race, thus the horse will have to race through
the entire series for the new trainer.
Any horsemen with questions should contact The Meadowlands Race Office.
