Lexington, KY — The new cycle of United States Trotting Association district meetings kicked off on Saturday morning (Oct. 5) when the organization’s District 6 directors convened at Red Mile to consider 23 rule change proposals submitted by members, other directors, and the USTA staff.

The directors from District 6 meet to discuss 23 rule change proposals on Saturday. USTA photo.

Led by district chairman Joe Pennacchio, the assemblage included fellow directors Chris Antonacci, Joe Frasure, Jerry Haws, Stephen Oldford and Dein Spriggs. Also in attendance from the USTA were its Chairman of the Board, Ivan Axelrod; Executive Vice President/CEO, Mike Tanner; and Chief Operating Officer, TC Lane.

Over the course of almost two hours, the group advocated nine of the proposals for acceptance, recommended that 10 be rejected, and tabled four others for additional discussion at the USTA annual board of directors in March.

Of particular interest to the group, was the consideration of two competing rules – including one authored by Oldford and Spriggs – that would define eligibility parameters for amateur drivers, and another that would tighten rules concerning the use of the whip and increase penalties for violations.

The district directors made the following recommendations:

Proposal #1 (Elimination of heat racing) REJECT
Proposal #2 (Extended pari-mutuel meets) ACCEPT
Proposal #3 (Prohibit gene doping) ACCEPT
Proposal #4 (Pylon requirements) TABLED
Proposal #5 (Extended saddle pads) REJECT
Proposal #6 (Racetrack maintenance) TABLED
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) ACCEPT
Proposal #12 (Standards for fair start pole) REJECT
Proposal #13 (Amateur driver eligibility) REJECT
Proposal #14 (Amateur driver eligibility) ACCEPT
Proposal #15 (Trainer’s license minimums) TABLED
Proposal #16 (Driving colors – “P” license) ACCEPT
Proposal #17 (Whip regulations) TABLED
Proposal #18 (Sex change reporting requirement) ACCEPT
Proposal #19 (Remeasure track circumferences) REJECT
Proposal #20 (Recording ownership percentage) ACCEPT
Proposal #21 (Multiple embryo transfers/year) REJECT
Proposal #22 (Definition of Standardbred) ACCEPT
Proposal #23 (Non-Standardbred definition) ACCEPT