Conditions in NY

[parsixfarms]

Since Martin Panza has taken over as the head of racing at NYRA, there has been a general steam-lining/simplification of the condition book. As compared to the prior racing secretary, NW2L races are straight "never won two races lifetime." Previously, NYRA had the "B" races - which meant that there was more than one way to meet the condition. You now see these a great deal at Gulfstream, where a $20,000B race might be for "horses that have never won two races lifetime OR 3yo OR horses that have not own a race in six months." Unless you have access to Formulator, look up the charts or knowledge of the horses in the race, the multiple conditions that cause the "B" condition are not spelled out, causing confusion.

You asked about starter/optional claiming races. New York has used these a bit recently because the racing office has had difficulty getting the starter $50,000 NW2L to go for 2YOs or newly-turned 3YOs. The conditions might now read, in words or effect, that the race is for horses that have started for a certain claiming price and never won a race other than maiden or claiming, or optional claiming price of $50,000. It is a much tougher race than the starter $50,000 NW2L.

Regarding New York breds, there are two restricted allowance conditions that horses can compete in (the NW2X often being an optional claiming $40,000). The "open" allowance races in New York are for "horses that have never won a race other than maiden, claiming, starter or restricted or never won two lifetime." Any state-bred allowance race falls under the "restricted" language in the condition; I'm not certain but a state-bred stakes race would not be excluded under the "restricted" language (the interpretation of how restricted stakes are treated differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction).

I hope this helpful.

[jnunan4759]

These replies were very informative and thanks to all. Conditions are sometimes almost hopelessly complex and are a delicate balancing act between racing secretary and trainers. Jim Quinn wrote a good book "The Handicapper's Condition Book" which I've read several times and still have difficulty understanding.

I've met many handicappers who have little or no knowledge of conditions other that the rudimentary. I also know owners and trainers, myself included, that don't understand them well.

I remember in the past it was much simpler. There were maidens, allowance, stakes and claimers. You could easily determine whether a horse was going up-in-class or down-in-class. Today, it's not so clear.