Columbus, OH — USTA District 8A held its annual membership meeting on Saturday (Jan. 11) at Yonkers Raceway.

Led by District Chairman Joseph Faraldo and joined by fellow directors Michael Kimelman, Jordan Stratton and newly elected track director, Alex Dadoyan, the 23 rule change proposals that will be considered at the full board meeting in March were discussed with those in attendance.

Below are the rule change recommendations of the 35 USTA members present (view the complete list of rule change proposals here):

Proposal #1 (Elimination of heat racing) – REJECT
Proposal #2 (Extended pari-mutuel meets) – ACCEPT
Proposal #3 (Prohibit gene doping) – ACCEPT
Proposal #4 (Pylon requirements) – REJECT
Proposal #5 (Extended saddle pads) – ACCEPT
Proposal #6 (Racetrack maintenance) – ACCEPT
Proposal #7 (Jail period for claimed horses) – REJECT
Proposal #8 (Interfered horses purse money) – REJECT
Proposal #9 (Weighted post-position draw) – REJECT
Proposal #10 (Distinguishable starting point) – REJECT
Proposal #11 (Post July 1 qualifiers) – REJECT
Proposal #12 (Standards for fair start pole) – REJECT
Proposal #13 (Amateur driver eligibility) – ACCEPT
Proposal #14 (Amateur driver eligibility) – REJECT
Proposal #15 (Trainer’s license minimums) – ACCEPT
Proposal #16 (Driving colors – “P” license) – ACCEPT
Proposal #17 (Whip regulations) – REJECT
Proposal #18 (Sex change reporting requirement) – ACCEPT
Proposal #19 (Remeasure track circumferences) – REJECT
Proposal #20 (Recording ownership percentages) – REJECT
Proposal #21 (Multiple embryo transfers/year) – REJECT
Proposal #22 (Definition of Standardbred) – ACCEPT
Proposal #23 (Non-Standardbred definition) – ACCEPT