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Horses with Electronic Chips Will be Allowed to Race Under Governor's Executive Order

A photo of horses racing
SCIOTODOWNS.COM
Racing at Scioto Downs south of Columbus

Ohio racehorses have traditionally been identified by a lip tattoo or a brand. But many horse owners have opted to use electronic chips instead. But those chips are not officially recognized under the state’s racing rules.

The Ohio Racing Commission updated its rules to include electronic chips to identify race horses. In the meantime, Gov. Mike DeWine has issued an executive order. His spokesman Dan Tierney said it’s good for 120 days.

“Essentially it will allow a horse that is chipped but not tattooed or branded to be eligible while the administrative code is eventually updated.”

Tierney adds this executive order is proactive to make sure it isn’t an issue while the racing rules are being updated.

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment. Jo started her career in Louisville, Kentucky in the mid 80’s when she helped produce a televised presidential debate for ABC News, worked for a creative services company and served as a general assignment report for a commercial radio station. In 1989, she returned back to her native Ohio to work at the WOSU Stations in Columbus where she began a long resume in public radio.