Mich. Admin. Code R. 431.4110 - Types of races

Rule 4110.

(1) In presenting a program of racing, the racing secretary shall use exclusively the following types of races:

(a) Stakes and futurities.

(b) Early closing and late closing races.

(c) Conditioned races.

(d) Claiming races.

(e) Preferred races limited to the fastest horses at the race meeting. These may be free-for-all races, junior free-for-all races, open races, preferred races, or invitationals. Horses to be used in the races shall be posted in the racing office. Horses so posted shall not be eligible for conditioned overnight races unless the conditions specifically include horses on the preferred list.

(2) A 2-year-old or 3-year-old horse is not eligible to be placed on the preferred or invitational list to race against older horses until it has won 7 races, unless requested by the owner or authorized agent. The owner or authorized agent may withdraw the request at his or her discretion. Where a race meeting is in progress in December and continues in January of the subsequent year, races and earnings won at that race meeting may be computed in determining whether a horse may be placed on the preferred list.

(3) Classified races are permitted when authorized by the executive director.

(4) Conditions shall not be written in a way that any horse is deprived of an opportunity to race in the normal preference cycle. Where the word "preferred" is used in a condition, it shall not supersede the date preference. Not more than 3 also-eligible conditions shall be used in writing the conditions for any overnight race.

(5) Any dash or any heat shall be considered as a separate race for the purposes of conditioned racing.

(6) Named races are not permitted, except for preferred races for the fastest horses at a race meeting as set forth in subrule (1)(e) of this rule.

(7) Substitute races may be provided for each day's program and shall be so designated. Entries in races not filling shall be posted. A substitute race or a race divided into 2 divisions shall be used only if regularly scheduled races fail to fill.

(8) A fair and reasonable racing opportunity shall be afforded both trotters and pacers in reasonable proportion from horses available and qualified to race.

(9) The term "start," in any type of condition, unless specifically so stated means only those performances in a purse race.

Notes

Mich. Admin. Code R. 431.4110

1985 AACS; 2021 MR 6, Eff. 3/26/2021