Pennsylvania Code
Title 7 - AGRICULTURE
Part VIII - State Horse Racing Commission
Subpart D - Standardbred Rules of Racing (Harness)
Chapter 205 - RULES OF STANDARDBRED RACING-TEMPORARY REGULATIONS
ENTRY, DRAWING OF POST POSITIONS, POST DRAW
Section 205.321 - Qualifying races for overnight events

(a) Within 45 days of being entered, a horse that has not raced previously at the gait chosen must start in a qualifying race under the supervision of the Board of Judges and acquire at least one charted line by a licensed charter. To provide complete and accurate chart information on time and beaten lengths a standard photo-finish shall be in use.

(b) A horse that does not show a charted line for the previous season or a charted line within its last six starts must start in a qualifying race as set forth in subsection (a).

(c) The Judges may require any horse that has been on the Judges' List to start in a qualifying race. If a horse has raced in individual time not meeting the qualifying standards for that class of horse, it may be required to start in a qualifying race.

(d) The Judges may permit a horse to qualify by means of a timed workout consistent with the time of the races in which the horse will compete if adequate competition is not available for a qualifying race.

(e) To enable a horse to qualify for an overnight, qualifying races should be held at least 1 full week prior to the opening of any race meeting that opens before July 1st of a season and shall be scheduled at least twice a week. Qualifying races shall also be scheduled twice a week during the meeting unless otherwise agreed upon by the track member and representative horsemen's association.

(f) Where a race is conducted to solely qualify drivers, the race need not be charted, timed or recorded. This section is not applicable to races qualifying both drivers and horses.

(g) If a horse takes a win race record in a qualifying race or a matinee race the record must be prefaced with the letter "Q" wherever it appears, except in a case where immediately prior to or following the race the horse taking the record has been submitted to an approved urine or blood test.