New York Uncouples Most Pari-Mutual Entries with Aim of Boosting Field Sizes

[Wandering Eyes]

By a unanimous voice vote, the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) Aug. 25 passed rules changes regarding the elimination of most coupled 1 and 1A pari-mutuel entries.

The changes align with a proposal that the board had first advanced back in March. The new rules had passed through a mandatory public commentary period after publication in the New York State Register.

According to a brief written by NYSGC general counsel Edmund Burns that had accompanied the changes when they were first proposed back at the Mar. 24 meeting, the changes were backed by the New York Racing Association, Finger Lakes racetrack, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.

“Those supporting elimination contend that loosening coupling rules would increase betting interest and handle,” that brief from the proposal stage stated. “[Supporters] state that less restrictive coupling rules have been implemented successfully in other racing jurisdictions, such as California, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Maryland and others, and that race-integrity concerns can be addressed as they arise…”

The NYSGC had last tweaked the coupling rules in 2015, at that time eliminating mandatory coupling in in any stakes race with a purse of $50,000 or more.

The new language applies to races at every level, changing the wording in rule 4025.10 so the operative term got switched to “may” be coupled instead of “must.”

The state steward would make the call on whether to couple or not, if, “in such steward's discretion, [the steward] finds it necessary in the public interest,” the new rule states.

In the case of two horses that have the same individual present in the managing ownership of the horses, or that share a 25% commonality in ownership, or that share a common trainer, the proposed rule would allow for those horses to now be offered as separate pari-mutuel interests.

But New York tracks shouldn't toss out those 1, 1A and 1X saddle towels just yet.

That's because if more than two horses share common ownership or a common trainer, those horses shall be coupled, the new rules state.

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