SHORTLINERS FROM AQHA

COURTESY OF AQHA.COM

SHORTLINERS: QUICK NEWS AND NOTES

*The Louisiana Racing Commission on Friday approved a change to the state’s claiming rules. The new rule, which goes into effect on November 20, allows a claimed horse to run back for the price he was claimed for, or higher, and eliminates the 30-day “jail period,” which requires a horse run for at least a 25-percent higher claiming price in his next start. The commission also approved the acquisition of Louisiana Downs by a partnership of Apollo Management and Texas Pacific Group, two private equity firms that are purchasing the Shreveport-area track’s parent company, Harrah's Entertainment.

*U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer on October 10 issued a preliminary injunction that will delay implementation of new rules that require employees whose names do not match Social Security numbers in a federal database to be fired within 90 days. In his ruling, Breyer said the rule, which was scheduled to take effect on September 14, “would result in irreparable harm to innocent workers and employers,” and also place a financial burden on employers and lead to legal workers being fired because of errors. President Bush sought the ruling after Congress failed to pass a comprehensive immigration reform policy. Numerous organizations oppose the rule, including the American Horse Council and National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.