New York Racing Association, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association announce ‘Per Start Credit’ program for Aqueduct winter meet
by Pat Mckenna; Andy Belfiore
The New York Racing Association, Inc. and the New York Thoroughbred
Horsemen’s Association have announced a new “per start credit” program for
owners and trainers to further enhance horsemen participation and help offset
the costs of workers’ compensation during the 2017-2018 winter meet at Aqueduct
Racetrack.
All owners and trainers, including those shipping in from out-of-town
racetracks or training facilities, who finish fourth through last in a race
this winter at Aqueduct will be guaranteed to earn at least $300 per starter through
this program. The per start credit will be applied to any outstanding balance
for the New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund, which provides workers’
compensation insurance for jockeys and exercise riders.
“This is a program that reflects NYRA’s continuing commitment to winter
racing,” said Chris Kay, CEO and President of NYRA. “The goal is to increase
field size and offer the best racing product possible. We’re pleased to work
with NYTHA toward achieving that goal.”
Owners are currently paid 60 percent of the total purse for a win, 20 percent for second, 10 percent for third, and five and
three percent for fourth- and fifth-place finishes, respectively.
With the existing breakdown, owners of horses who finish sixth through last
split the remaining 2 percent of the total purse, which can vary greatly
depending on purse and field size. Under the new program, those owners will now
earn a minimum of $300 per start. Trainers under the program will receive the
$300 per start credit when their horses finish fourth through last.
“NYTHA has long been a proponent of this and any program that might make the
cost of doing business in New York a little less prohibitive, and encourage
more interest in New York racing,” said NYTHA President Rick Violette, Jr. “The
funds will be used to help defray the ever-rising cost of workers’ compensation
insurance coverage for the jockeys and the exercise riders. While this is not
an answer to the workers’ compensation crisis, it will help horsemen in the
short term as we continue our work to find a long-term solution to the
problem.”
The per start credit program will encompass live racing days during the 2017-2018
winter meet at Aqueduct, applying to starts from December 6 through March 31.