Legislation that would allow Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund money to be awarded to horses entered for a tag in some allowance/optional claiming races in the state advanced through a State House of Representatives committee March 19.
The Louisville Courier-Journal reported that the House Licensing and Occupations Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 26. It would make horses entered under claiming conditions with a price of at least $25,000 in allowance/optional claiming races eligible for KTDF purse money.
In January the bill, sponsored by Republican Sens. John Schickel and Damon Thayer and Democrat Robin Webb, sailed through a Senate committee. The Senate Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee, chaired by Schickel, unanimously approved the bill.
The measure is not expected to run into opposition in either chamber of the General Assembly.
The bill is designed to help tracks such as Turfway Park reward owners and trainers that enter horses. For instance, a $25,000 allowance event for non-winners of two races other than maiden, claiming, starter, or state-bred, includes $14,000 from the KTDF. If horses enter for the $40,000 optional claiming price, even if they are Kentucky-bred, they compete for only $14,000.