11VAC10-110-90. Coupling.

All horses entered in the same race and owned wholly or partially by the same owner or spouse 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 an overnight race. 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 infield tote board;

6. 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.