Pennsylvania Code
Title 58 - RECREATION
Part IV - Horse Racing Commission
Chapter 163 - RULES OF RACING
WEIGHTS, PENALTIES AND ALLOWANCES
Section 163.161 - Weights, penalties and allowances

Universal Citation: 58 PA Code ยง 163.161

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

(a) The following weights are carried when the weights are not stated in the conditions of the race:

(1) SCALE OF WEIGHTS FOR AGE

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
ONE-HALF MILE
2...xxxxxxx105108111114114
3...117117119119121123125126127128129129
4...130130130130130130130130130130130130
5 and up...130130130130130130130130130130130130
SIX FURLONGS
2...xxxxxxx102105108111111
3...114114117117119121123125126127128128
4...129129130130130130130130130130130130
5 and up...130130130130130130130130130130130130
ONE MILE
2...xxxxxxxx9699102102
3...107107111111113115117119121122123123
4...127127128128127126126126126126126126
5 and up...128128128128127126126126126126126126
ONE MILE AND A QUARTER
2...xxxxxxxxxxxx
3...101101107107111113116118120121122122
4...125125127127127126126126126126126126
5 and up...127127127127127126126126126126126126
ONE MILE AND A HALF
2...xxxxxxxxxxxx
3...9898104104108111114117119121122122
4...124124126126126126126126126126126126
5 and up...126126126126126126126126126126126126

(2) In races of intermediate lengths, the weights for the shorter distance are carried.

(3) In races exclusively for 3-year-olds or 4-year-olds, the weight shall be 126 pounds, and in races exclusively for 2-year-olds, it shall be 122 pounds.

(4) In a race, except handicaps and races where the conditions expressly state to the contrary, the scale of weights shall be less, by the following: for fillies 2 years old, 3 pounds; for mares 3 years old and upwards, 5 pounds, before September 1 and 3 pounds thereafter.

(5) In all overnight races except handicaps, not more than 6 pounds may be deducted from the scale of weights for age, except for allowances, but in no case may the total allowances of any type reduce the lowest weight below 101 pounds, except that this minimum weight need not apply to 2-year-olds or 3-year-olds when racing with older horses.

(6) In overnight handicaps and in claiming handicaps, the top weight may not be less than 122 pounds.

(b) Weight penalties are obligatory.

(c) Weight allowance, including apprentice allowance, shall be claimed at time of overnight entry.

(d) The weight allowance may not be abandoned after the posting of entries except by consent of the stewards.

(e) Penalties and allowances of weight are not cumulative, unless so declared by the conditions of a race.

(f) A horse shall start with only the allowance of weight to which he is entitled at the time of starting, regardless of his allowance at the time of entry.

(g) A horse incurring weight penalties for a race is not entitled to the weight allowances for that race.

(h) A horse not entitled to the first weight allowance in a race is not entitled to the second, and so on.

(i) A claim of weight allowance to which a horse is not entitled does not disqualify unless protest is made in writing and lodged with the stewards at least 60 minutes before post time.

(j) A horse may not incur a weight penalty or be barred from a race for having been placed second or lower in a race.

(k) A horse may not be given a weight allowance for failure to finish second or in any lower place in a race.

(l) Penalties incurred in steeplechase or hurdle races do not apply to races on the flat or vice versa.

(m) When the decision of a race is in dispute, the horses involved in the dispute with respect to the credit of the winner shall be liable to the weight penalties attached to the winning of that race until a winner has been adjudged.

(n) Eligibility, penalties and allowances of weight for races will be determined after considering the reports, records and statistics published by the Daily Racing Form and Morning Telegraph.

(o) A race not reported in Daily Racing Form or Morning Telegraph may not be considered unless otherwise stated in the conditions of the race, except that, in the case of an imported horse, the racing record of the horse shall be filed with the racing secretary prior to time entry is made to qualify for eligibility. This section does not apply in the classification of maidens.

(p) A horse may not incur a weight penalty for a placement from which he is disqualified, but a horse placed through the disqualification of another horse shall incur the weight penalties of that placement.

(q) A horse involved in a dead heat for first place is liable to weight penalty for the amount received.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.