Confirmed ban / limit
Published text names the material.
Bedding rules
What the track already allows
Published house rules only. If a track’s stall application does not name the material, the row says Unpublished — ask the racing secretary.
Peter Iovino, racing secretary at Saratoga Casino Hotel, confirmed in writing: shavings only, because haulers will not take sawdust.
Sawdust is the fine mill dust. Shavings and chips are the coarser cut.
Haulers and compost yards often take straw. Many will not take sawdust.
That is why some racing secretaries already write “shavings only” or “sawdust is not permitted.”
Hemp hurd is not on any stall application reviewed for this page. It would be added the same way shavings were added — in writing, by the racing secretary, after a washout study.
Allowed options
Published text names straw, shavings, and/or pellets.
Unpublished
Stall app or house rules do not name the material.
| Track | Circuit | Published bedding rule | Source | Hemp status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga Casino Hotel (harness), Saratoga Springs NY | NY harness | CONFIRMED. Peter Iovino, racing secretary at Saratoga Casino Hotel, letter dated 19 August 2026, confirmed in writing: shavings only, because haulers will not take sawdust. 2026 stall application: “All horses stabled at SCH must use track required bedding.” | Iovino letter on this site + 2026 SCH stall app | Not listed. Would require the same written spec as shavings. |
| Keeneland, Lexington KY | KHRC / Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) | CONFIRMED. House rules: “Unless a request for shavings has been approved by the Racing Secretary, all stalls must be bedded with straw. Sawdust is not permitted.” Fall 2026 stall app: check box Straw or Shavings. “All bedding used in the stalls must be approved by Keeneland.” Trainer may change type only with Keeneland’s approval. | Keeneland 2022 Fall Condition Book house rules; Keeneland Fall 2026 stall application §11 Bedding | Not listed. |
| Gulfstream Park + Palm Meadows, Hallandale / Palm Beach FL | HISA | CONFIRMED LIMIT. “Due to environmental issues, a limit of 10% straw per allotment.” Condition book: “Gulfstream Park limits and enforces straw bedding to 10% of the Trainer’s stall allotment.” Used straw and/or shavings go in manure containers. | Gulfstream 2026 Spring/Summer stall application; GP condition book waste section | Not listed. Default is not straw. |
| Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs AR | HISA | CONFIRMED OPTIONS. 2024–25 and 2026–27 stall applications: “CHECK BEDDING YOU WILL BE USING: Straw / Pellets.” No shavings box. No sawdust line. | Oaklawn stall applications | Not listed. |
| Santa Anita Park (incl. Fasig-Tipton sales barns on grounds), Arcadia CA | CHRB / HISA | ALLOWED. Fasig-Tipton consignor letter at Santa Anita: “Straw and shavings are permitted. Santa Anita Park recommends using one of the vendors listed.” | Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita consignor letter | Not listed. |
| New York Racing Association (NYRA) — Belmont Park, Aqueduct, Saratoga Race Course (thoroughbred) | NYSGC / HISA | ALLOWED LANGUAGE, NO SAWDUST BAN FOUND. House rules: put “used straw or shavings” in manure containers. NYRA 2026 RFQ buys “Horse Feed and Stall Bedding” for all three TB plants. Historical note (2000 Saratogian): Evergreen Recycling hauled “mostly straw and some sawdust” from Saratoga Race Course — that is the thoroughbred plant, not the harness plant. Do not collapse NYRA TB with SCH harness. | NYRA stall/house rules; NYRA RFQ 2026-0012; Saratogian Aug 29, 2000 | Not listed. |
| Laurel Park / Pimlico, MD | HISA | ALLOWED LANGUAGE. Horsemen’s guide: “Savings must be placed in shavings bins at all times.” Hay and straw stored only in approved areas. Separate manure bins and shavings bins. | Laurel Park Horsemen’s Guide | Not listed. |
| Fair Grounds, New Orleans LA | HISA | ALLOWED LANGUAGE. Waste rule names “Hay, manure, shavings and/or bedding wastes.” Ship-in stalls: Fair Grounds provides bedding. Strip bedding on departure. | Fair Grounds stall application | Not listed. |
| Horseshoe Indianapolis | HISA | ALLOWED LANGUAGE. Departure rule: strip “all bedding materials, shavings, straw, etc.” | 2026 TB stall application | Not listed. |
| Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park, Churchill Downs Training Center | CDI / KHRC / HISA | UNPUBLISHED. 2026 Rules and Conditions for Racing and Training incorporate house rules and stall applications. Public PDFs reviewed do not name sawdust, shavings, or straw as allowed or banned. | CDI 2026 Rules and Conditions | Not listed. Ask the racing secretary. |
| Del Mar | CHRB / HISA | UNPUBLISHED. Stall application terms do not name the bedding species. | DMTC stall app terms | Not listed. |
| Monmouth, Parx, Penn National, Finger Lakes, Meadowlands, Yonkers, Red Mile, Woodbine, Kentucky Downs, Lone Star, Remington, Zia, Ruidoso, Arapahoe, Emerald Downs, Los Alamitos, Tampa Bay, Presque Isle | mixed | UNPUBLISHED on the public stall apps reviewed for this pass. Do not invent a row that says “shavings only.” | — | Not listed. |
A blank row is not a no. It is “ask the racing secretary.” That is the same person who already writes the spec.
Peter Iovino’s letter is a bedding rule. It is not an order for hemp hurd.
The letter is at Saratoga Casino Hotel, the harness track. The 1,820 published stalls are NYRA Saratoga Race Course, a separate thoroughbred facility. The rule shows a track already rejects sawdust. The 1,820 is the published count this site uses for barn-side math.
Figures are estimates if a barn bought the bag.
Estimate if converted.
Same stall counts already on the map. No new count. No national sum.
| Track | Stalls | Hurd sold @ $16 | Agent spread | Barn-side vs pine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga Race Course Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,820 Published | $293,536 | $18,346 assumption | $1,967,420 |
| Churchill Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,400 Published | $225,493 | $14,093 assumption | $1,513,400 |
| Belmont Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 2,200 Estimated | $354,347 | $22,147 assumption | $2,378,200 |
| Aqueduct Racetrack Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,400 Estimated | $225,493 | $14,093 assumption | $1,513,400 |
| Keeneland House rules — unless a request for shavings has been approved by the Racing Secretary, stalls must be bedded with straw. Sawdust is not permitted. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,900 Estimated | $306,267 | $19,133 assumption | $2,053,900 |
| Santa Anita Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. High land and haul cost. Freight from South Dakota will eat the $16 spread. | 2,000 Estimated | $322,133 | $20,133 assumption | $2,162,000 |
| Del Mar Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. High land and haul cost. Freight from South Dakota will eat the $16 spread. | 1,700 Estimated | $273,813 | $17,113 assumption | $1,837,700 |
| Los Alamitos Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. High land and haul cost. Freight from South Dakota will eat the $16 spread. | 1,200 Estimated | $193,280 | $12,080 assumption | $1,297,200 |
| Oaklawn Park Stall application offers straw or pellets. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,600 Estimated | $257,707 | $16,107 assumption | $1,729,600 |
| Gulfstream Park Straw limited to 10% of the trainer’s stall allotment. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,400 Estimated | $225,493 | $14,093 assumption | $1,513,400 |
| Tampa Bay Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,100 Estimated | $177,173 | $11,073 assumption | $1,189,100 |
| Fair Grounds Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,300 Estimated | $209,387 | $13,087 assumption | $1,405,300 |
| Laurel Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,200 Estimated | $193,280 | $12,080 assumption | $1,297,200 |
| Pimlico Race Course Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,000 Estimated | $161,067 | $10,067 assumption | $1,081,000 |
| Monmouth Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,400 Estimated | $225,493 | $14,093 assumption | $1,513,400 |
| Parx Racing Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,400 Estimated | $225,493 | $14,093 assumption | $1,513,400 |
| Penn National Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,000 Estimated | $161,067 | $10,067 assumption | $1,081,000 |
| Presque Isle Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 700 Estimated | $112,747 | $7,047 assumption | $756,700 |
| Finger Lakes Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,000 Estimated | $161,067 | $10,067 assumption | $1,081,000 |
| Turfway Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Ellis Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 800 Estimated | $128,853 | $8,053 assumption | $864,800 |
| Horseshoe Indianapolis Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,100 Estimated | $177,173 | $11,073 assumption | $1,189,100 |
| Hawthorne Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Prairie Meadows Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Canterbury Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 800 Estimated | $128,853 | $8,053 assumption | $864,800 |
| Remington Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,200 Estimated | $193,280 | $12,080 assumption | $1,297,200 |
| Will Rogers Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 700 Estimated | $112,747 | $7,047 assumption | $756,700 |
| Lone Star Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,200 Estimated | $193,280 | $12,080 assumption | $1,297,200 |
| Sam Houston Race Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,000 Estimated | $161,067 | $10,067 assumption | $1,081,000 |
| Retama Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 800 Estimated | $128,853 | $8,053 assumption | $864,800 |
| Zia Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 700 Estimated | $112,747 | $7,047 assumption | $756,700 |
| Sunland Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Ruidoso Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 800 Estimated | $128,853 | $8,053 assumption | $864,800 |
| Turf Paradise Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,100 Estimated | $177,173 | $11,073 assumption | $1,189,100 |
| Emerald Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Grants Pass Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 400 Estimated | $64,427 | $4,027 assumption | $432,400 |
| Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,100 Estimated | $177,173 | $11,073 assumption | $1,189,100 |
| Mountaineer Casino Racetrack Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Colonial Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,200 Estimated | $193,280 | $12,080 assumption | $1,297,200 |
| Delaware Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,100 Estimated | $177,173 | $11,073 assumption | $1,189,100 |
| Thistledown Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Mahoning Valley Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 800 Estimated | $128,853 | $8,053 assumption | $864,800 |
| Delta Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Evangeline Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Louisiana Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 1,000 Estimated | $161,067 | $10,067 assumption | $1,081,000 |
| Fonner Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 600 Estimated | $96,640 | $6,040 assumption | $648,600 |
| Wyoming Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 350 Estimated | $56,373 | $3,523 assumption | $378,350 |
| The Red Mile Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 700 Estimated | $112,747 | $7,047 assumption | $756,700 |
| Meadowlands Racetrack Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 900 Estimated | $144,960 | $9,060 assumption | $972,900 |
| Yonkers Raceway Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 800 Estimated | $128,853 | $8,053 assumption | $864,800 |
| Saratoga Casino Hotel (harness) — year-round backside. Peter Iovino confirmed in writing: shavings only, because haulers will not take sawdust. Typical occupancy reported on the property is about 350 standardbreds at a time (WNYT, June 2026). That is occupancy, not a published stall count. | ||||
| Northfield Park Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 700 Estimated | $112,747 | $7,047 assumption | $756,700 |
| Scioto Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 600 Estimated | $96,640 | $6,040 assumption | $648,600 |
| Harrington Raceway Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 500 Estimated | $80,533 | $5,033 assumption | $540,500 |
| Pocono Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 600 Estimated | $96,640 | $6,040 assumption | $648,600 |
| Tioga Downs Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 400 Estimated | $64,427 | $4,027 assumption | $432,400 |
| Cal Expo Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 500 Estimated | $80,533 | $5,033 assumption | $540,500 |
| Los Angeles County Fair / Pomona Bedding rule not published on this site. LTL from Wakonda can erase the $1/bag spread. Match the barn to the nearest existing processor before treating spread as cash. | 400 Estimated | $64,427 | $4,027 assumption | $432,400 |
Why sawdust gets banned
- Haulers. Saratoga Casino Hotel: haulers will not take sawdust. That is the Iovino letter.
- Compost market. Straw mixed with manure has a buyer (historically mushroom houses). Fine sawdust is a different waste stream. Wood products compost slower than straw.
- Dust. Fine sawdust raises respirable particles. Screened pine shavings and pellets are what racing barns already buy when they leave straw. HISA does not name a species. HISA welfare language is clean, not dusty, bedding.
Two published sawdust bans, not a national rule. Keeneland: sawdust is not permitted. Saratoga Casino Hotel: shavings only. Gulfstream limits straw to 10%. Oaklawn offers straw or pellets.
How this ties to hemp hurd
Hurd is sized like a chip or a screened shaving, not like mill sawdust.
It is not approved on any row above.
The path stays the path already on HISA: Cornell washout on the exact bagged lot, then a racing secretary writes the spec.
Tracks already write a spec. Hurd is not on it yet.