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Honor Up highlights 10 winners who benefited from NYRA Starter Loyalty Program from January 10-13

by NYRA Press Office

Saratoga Seven Racing Partners' Honor Up was one of ten members of the New York Racing Association's (NYRA) innovative Starter Loyalty Program to pick up a win at Aqueduct Racetrack for the week spanning January 10-13.

Implemented on April 2, 2018, the Starter Loyalty Program provides Silver- through Diamond-level purse bonuses between 5 and 15 percent on money earned in a qualifying race, based on their number of starts at NYRA tracks through April 1, 2019.

Over the past week, 10 of the 30 total winners of races at the Big A were members of the Starter Loyalty Program. Michelle Nevin was the only trainer with two horses having their picture taken, including stakes winner Honor Up, who won the Say Florida Sandy for New York-bred 4-year-olds and up on Saturday.

Honor Up, rallying wide under Manny Franco at the top of the lane, blew past Gold for the King, Morning Breeze and Royal Asset, before overtaking Syndergaard to complete seven furlongs in a final time of 1:23.56. He earned a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure for the winning effort.

Honor Up, a Gold member trained by Nevin, picked up the winner's share of the purse, $55,000, plus a Starter Loyalty bonus of $4,125, for total earnings of $59,125 for his connections, Saratoga Seven Racing Partners.

Other winning members of the Starter Loyalty Program last week included, Cookie Crisp (Jan. 11, Race 2), Daria's Angel (Jan. 11, Race 4), Charlie McCoy (Jan. 11, Race 7), Archumybaby (Jan. 12, Race 2), Javelin (Jan. 12, Race 5), Spartiatis (Jan. 12, Race 6), Stoney Bennett (Jan. 12, Race 7), Stan the Man (Jan. 13, Race 2) and Leap to Glory (Jan. 12, Race 5).

For more information on the Starter Loyalty Program, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/horsemen/2018-19-sta...

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NYRA 2018-19 Loyalty Program, at a glance:
From the period between April 2, 2018 through April 1, 2019

• NYRA Silver: Starts 5 and 6
  
  • Runners will compete for 5% more purse money
• NYRA Gold: Starts 7, 8, and 9
  
  • Runners will compete for 7.5% more purse money
• NYRA Platinum: Starts 10 and 11
  
  • Runners will compete for 12.5% more purse money
• NYRA Diamond: Starts 12 and higher
  
  • Runners will compete for 15% more purse money

For example, for $100,000 stakes races this winter at Aqueduct, a NYRA Silver member could receive an additional $2,750 on top of the $55,000 winner's share of the purse. For a stakes at the same level, a NYRA Platinum member could earn an additional $6,875 above the $55,000 winner's share.

The number of starts transfer with horses that are claimed or have undergone ownership changes.

Qualifying starts for bonus money include any winners' races. Maiden races do not award purse bonuses but are counted as starts. For example, if a horse breaks his maiden on his fifth start of the season, his sixth start will be in a winners' race and therefore he would be considered a Silver member.

Races not counted as a qualifying start include any race in which a horse is beaten by 25 lengths or more, or any race in which a horse is placed on the vet's list for lameness or unsoundness. The horse must be declared an official starter to get credit for the start. Only two starts in a 30-day period are counted toward the program. The third start during that period of time is not eligible for program participation. Additionally, award money is not paid on breeders' purse supplements.