Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear signed a bill that will allow Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund-registered horses entered for a tag in some allowance/optional claiming races to be eligible for fund purse money.
The legislation was supported by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, the KTDF Advisory Committee, the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. It was co-sponsored by senators John Schickel (R-Union) and Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown).
Effective immediately, the bill allows horses entered under claiming conditions with a price of at least $25,000 in allowance/optional claiming races to be eligible for KTDF purse money.
The bill is designed to help tracks attract full fields by rewarding owners and trainers that enter horses for a tag in such races.