Standardbred Breeding Bill Headed to Kentucky Governor for Signature

UPDATED: While the bill removes age restrictions that the fund money be used for sets of pacing and trotting races for 2- and 3-year-old colts and 2- and 3-year-old fillies, there would still be a requirement in the KHRC’s regulations. The bill changes the law, giving the KHRC the option of changing their rules about how the money is used.

ORIGINAL POST:

In a session where the horse industry hasn’t gotten much passed (noting that some parts of the industry preferred nothing be passed compared to what was being considered), Senate Bill 110 to boost Kentucky’s standardbred industry is on its way to Gov. Steve Beshear for his signature.

The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, passed the House on a final vote on Monday.

Senate Bill 110  changes the rules for the standardbred development fund by allowing all Kentucky bred trotters to run for its purses where the current law limits that money to the offspring of sires standing in Kentucky.

Where Kentucky used to be a major player in the standardbred breeding industry, the best stallions are elsewhere. The retooling would be focused on getting mares to reside in Kentucky.

The bill removes age restrictions that the fund money be used for sets of pacing and trotting races for 2- and 3-year-old colts and 2- and 3-year-old fillies.

The bill also would allow the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to change its rules to register standardbred mares, stallions and progeny — where existing law allows the agency to make rules for registering stallions standing within Kentucky and their progeny

http://blogs.courier-journal.com/horsebiz/2013/03/11/standardbred-breeding-bill-headed-to-kentucky-governor-for-signature/