|
House Bill 254 |
House Author: Hilderbran et al. |
|
Effective: 9-1-11 |
Senate Sponsor: Wentworth |
House Bill 254 amends the Texas Racing Act to require the Texas Racing Commission to establish as Texas Derbies the following annual stakes races:
· one race open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds
· one race open only to three-year-old Texas-bred Thoroughbreds
· one race open to three-year-old quarter horses
· one race open only to three-year-old Texas-bred quarter horses
The bill sets out provisions relating to race conditions, entrance qualifications, and the preference system used to determine race finalists. The date and location of each derby is determined by the commission in consultation with specified entities.
House Bill 254 requires the commission to appoint a state veterinarian to conduct a prerace examination of each horse entered in a race and sets out requirements for the examination. The bill establishes a Texas Derby escrow purse fund and sets out procedures governing the use of the fund. The initial Texas Derby may not be held before January 1, 2015.