11VAC10-110-90. Coupling.

All horses entered in the same race and owned wholly or partially by the same owner or spouse or other common ownership ties shall be joined as a mutuel entry and shall constitute a single wagering interest, except as provided for in subdivision 7 of this section. No trainer shall enter more than two horses in a an overnight race except in split races. No trainer of any horse shall have any ownership interest or lease interest in any other horse in the same race unless such horses are coupled as a single wagering interest. The following provisions shall apply to mutuel entries:

1. The racing secretary shall be responsible for coupling entries for wagering purposes;

2. No more than two horses having common ties through ownership, which would result in a mutuel entry and a single wagering interest, may be entered in an overnight race;

3. When two horses having common ties through ownership are entered in an overnight race, preference shall be given to the horse with the earliest preference date or the most stars;

4. Two horses having common ties through ownership shall not start as a mutuel entry in an overnight race to the exclusion of another horse nor shall a trainer be permitted to run two horses in a race to the exclusion of another horse;

5. The racing secretary shall be responsible for assigning horses to the mutuel field when the number of wagering interests exceeds the numbering capacity of the totalizator system infield tote board; and

6. The uncoupling of two horses having common ties through training is subject to the approval of the trainer. In an overnight race, the racing secretary may uncouple entries having common ties through training; and

7. In any thoroughbred stakes race with added or guaranteed money of $50,000 or more, the racing secretary may uncouple mutuel entries of horses sharing common ties through training or ownership or both.