The New York State Gaming Commission on Monday approved a set of new rules that will allow Thoroughbred and Standardbred racetracks in the state to expand the carryover options for their pick 4 and pick 5 wagers. The rules, which were passed unanimously at the Monday meeting, will give racetracks the ability to designate their pick 4 or pick 5 wagers as having a 100 percent carryover or a 75 percent carryover with a 25 percent consolation payout, the same rules in place for the pick 6 in the state. Carryovers are applied to eligible pools if no ticket has the correct sequence. Currently, the New York Racing Association has a 100 percent carryover of the net pool for its pick 5 wager, but no carryover policy for its pick 4 bet, which has a mandatory payout each day to the tickets with the most winners. :: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets. In other action at the meeting, the commission tabled a vote to approve a set of new claiming rules in order to consult with the commission’s equine medical director on the possible consequences of one of the rules. The rule that drew attention would reduce the so-called “jail time” period for claimed horses from 30 days to 20 days and allow horses to start at the same price at which they are claimed for a 10-day period following the 20-day period. “Jail time” refers to a period in which a claimed horse is not allowed to start at a certain price compared to the claiming price, a practice meant to discourage trainers from dropping a horse in value to grab a quick purse. In New York, the current jail time rule prohibits a horse from starting for less than 25 percent above its claiming price for 30 days. In 2014, New York regulators increased the jail time parameters as part of a suite of new policies arising from an investigation into a spate of horse deaths at Aqueduct. At the time, regulators said that more restrictive parameters could reduce injuries. At the Monday meeting, John Crotty, a commissioner, questioned why the restrictions were being loosened when horse welfare and safety remains a pressing concern in New York and elsewhere. Rob Williams, the commission’s executive director, said that there was no evidence that the higher restrictions led to reduced injuries. At that point, Brian O’Dwyer, the commission’s chairman, said that he wanted to table the approval until the commission could get a response from Dr. Scott Palmer, the commission’s equine medical director. Williams said that the new rules were developed in consultation with the New York Racing Association and the state’s horsemen’s groups. NYRA had submitted a response to the publication of the rules saying it supported the new measures. The rules are expected to be offered again for approval at the next scheduled meeting of the commission. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.