By T. D. Thornton
A proposed New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) rule that would require Thoroughbred trainers and assistant trainers to complete four hours of continuing education coursework each year as a condition of licensure was tabled until an unspecified date at the Nov. 1 NYSGC meeting.
“We received a very late comment from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association [NYTHA] which raised a couple of specific questions that require some staff evaluation,” executive director Robert Williams said at the meeting just before the vote was put off.
Williams said the NYTHA comments, which were not included in the meeting packet, dealt with “whether there are enough [online courses], and where they can be accessed.”
According to an explanation of the proposed rule in the New York State Register, the required coursework was to be based on existing programs that are available via The Jockey Club and from stewards at New York racetracks.
“The commission at this time has no indication that anyone intends to charge for this type of program, but it is likely that future programs might arise that would impose a fee for attendance…particularly if the trainer does not attempt to comply with the requirement until the last moment,” the State Register rule analysis noted.
Under the proposed rule, trainers who live out of state and have 12 or fewer starts during the previous 12 months could request a waiver from the requirement via state stewards.
The NYSGC received only one other public comment. The Association of Racing Commissioners International wrote in support of the rule, and “expressed interest in tracking earned continuing education credits in its database.” @thorntontd
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