What's happening
This bill updates the definition of "racing" in harness racing law to specify it involves standardbred horses registered with a recognized breed registry.
Why it matters
Clarifies which horses can participate in harness racing. By specifying that only standardbred horses registered with a recognized breed registry are eligible, the bill narrows the pool of horses, potentially impacting breeders, trainers, and owners of non-standardbred horses.
Supports integrity and uniformity in the sport. Limiting harness racing to a specific, recognized breed helps ensure consistency in competition and may reduce disputes over eligibility, which can be important for bettors, regulators, and racing organizations.
Aligns New York’s regulations with broader industry standards. The new definition brings state law in line with common industry practices, which often require horses to be registered standardbreds, potentially making it easier for New York to host officially recognized races and events.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Clarify Harness Racing Definition
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 42
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.135
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1098
- Committee discharged and committed to racing, gaming and wagering
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Update Harness Racing Definition
In Assembly Committee · Racing And Wagering · Sponsor J. Gary Pretlow
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1059
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sens. BONACIC, LARKIN, MARCHIONE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to harness racing
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 301 of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law is amended to read as follows:
3. The term "racing", as used in this article, shall be construed to mean utilizing only [horse racing in which the horses participating are harnessed] horses that are registered with a recognized breed registry as standard (harness) and where the standardbred horse is attached to a sulky, carriage, or similar vehicle[, and shall not include any form of horse racing in which the horses participating are] or mounted [by a jockey].
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04459-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to harness racing
Purpose
To allow competition and wagering on "racing under saddle" at standardbred harness racetracks.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends subdivision 3 of section 301 of the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding law to permit a mounted rider as an acceptable form of standardbred harness racing.
Section 2: Effective date.
Justification
Under current law, the definition of harness racing limits the racing of this very specific and unique breed of horse (standardbred a/k/a harness horse) to racing attached to "a sulky, carriage or similar vehicle" and effectively prohibits the practice of "racing under saddle" with a mounted rider.
A promotional event, where no purse money was awarded, was held at Yonkers Raceway in 2010. While the Yonkers exhibition created interest and excitement in this new form of racing, it has remained a novelty with unrealized potential because of the inability to pay purses. Permitting "racing under saddle" at New York State harness tracks could have significant benefits for the racing industry, and therefore, for the entire state.
This proposal would specifically limit such racing at harness tracks only to registered standardbred horses (and only at a trot or a pace). Such changes would allow licensed harness tracks to conduct either harness races or "racing under saddle" races, and would allow wagers to be made and purses to be paid under the same regulatory guidelines currently in place for the conduct of harness races.
Legislative history
S.1376 of 2016: Died in Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering. Died in Assembly Racing and Wagering S.1376 of 2015: Died in Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering. Died in Assembly Racing and Wagering S.5920 of 2014: Died in Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering S.5920 of 2013: Died in Senate Rules
Fiscal implications
None to state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.