What Determines a Coupled Entry?

[thezeeman333]

I always thought the same owner and the same trainer of two different horses were always a coupled entry.
In the Herecomesthebride Stakes at Gulfstream on March 11, there are two horses :3: Northern Passion and :5: Dixie Strike.
They are both owned by John C. Oxley and trained by Mark Casse, but are not coupled.
Can anyone explain the process of how and why two horses are coupled in a race?
Thanks

[therussmeister]

Florida may have a rule allowing such things in Graded Stakes - just a guess.

[tbwinner]

Usually in stakes, same owner entries are uncoupled.

[nearco]

Rules vary from state to state. In some states, which probably includes Florida, any Graded Stakes means no coupled entries. In other states there is a purse threshold, i.e in NY anything over $500k means no coupling.
The idea being that the more money/prestige on the line (and often sizable entry fee), the more likely that all horses are trying.

[thezeeman333]

Thanks for the responses