WEG Implements Gural's Rule

[pezz97]

Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has announced stakes conditions for its major races will be revised to align with the stallion eligibility requirements introduced by U.S. racetrack operator Jeff Gural.
 
Beginning with foals born in 2014 (and therefore affecting WEG's major 2-year-old events in 2016), horses eligible to participate must be sired by stallions that raced as a 4-year-old or older.
 
"We were asked to consider adopting this initiative and after careful consideration have determined it's definitely worth undertaking on a trial basis," said Jamie Martin, WEG's Executive Vice President of Racing. "For all Jeff Gural has done towards saving the Meadowlands, he deserves the entire industry's support. We believe that barring certain circumstances with a horse's health, the best interests of racing are served when top horses race beyond their 3-year-old seasons."
 
Gural, who has strongly advocated for harness racing's star performers to continue on the track after their 3-year-old campaigns, operates the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey, along with Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs in New York.
 
"After implementing the stallion eligibility requirement, we'll monitor its effectiveness to determine if it will be a long term policy," said Martin.
 
The new conditions and a list of races for future stallion eligibility at WEG will be announced in early 2012. (WEG)

[burton]

good to see somebody try something that's "different".

[pezz97]

I like it

[connected comer]

 

[careless hal]

I predict it won't work.   

[LVGaryD]

I love it. Look at guys like the Burke Stable. They keep stars going year after year. It brings a good deal of interest to the sport.

Reminds me of the days Rambling Willie would fill grandstands across the country. 

[sea biscuit]

I wonder what would happen to the off springs of a 3 year old if he is retired to stud after an injury?

[pezz97]

I wonder what would happen to the off springs of a 3 year old if he is retired to stud after an injury?

They can race as long as they are checked out by Gural's or WEG guys and they give them the ok


I can't see this failing. The biggest races in N.A are the North America's cup, the Canadian Trotting classic, The Meadowlands Pace and the Hambo are all under these rules now. Better have a real injury .................

[Just Saying]

Love the idea, and don't think it will work. Just think of all the handicapped parking placards are on healthy people's cars. Doctors have to sign off on those; wouldn't be any different with vets. jmo

[Jeremy]

I love it. Look at guys like the Burke Stable. They keep stars going year after year. It brings a good deal of interest to the sport.

Aren't they mostly geldings though ?

[LVGaryD]

Buck i St Pat was a mare.

[Jeremy]

Buck i St Pat was a mare.

Yeah that is what Ryan said.

[LVGaryD]

Yeah that is what Ryan said.

No, Ryan was logged onto my computer. 

[careless hal]

Rambling Willie was a gelding.  Foiled Again is a gelding.  Mares aren't exactly in the same class as stallions when it comes to breeding.  If they are racing at a high level, they can make more doing that than being bred. I look at this whole affair as an attempt by Gural and his fellow socialists in Canada to foist their way on everyone.  Always trying to control everything and telling others what to do with their property.
 

[pezz97]

Rambling Willie was a gelding.  Foiled Again is a gelding.  Mares aren't exactly in the same class as stallions when it comes to breeding.  If they are racing at a high level, they can make more doing that than being bred. I look at this whole affair as an attempt by Gural and his fellow socialists in Canada to foist their way on everyone.  Always trying to control everything and telling others what to do with their property.
 

They own those race tracks and they make the rules, ON THEIR PROPERTY!  You wanna race 4 the 4 biggest purses in NA, then follow the rules. Easy decision.

 In the mean time, you had a 4 year old HORSE make 1.2 million this year, and FA make 1.4 ( Better Sweet 800K)

The more horses that are brought back at 4, it makes for better competition , rivalries are started and fan gets more interested. Love it.