Francesca LeDonne Photo

Servis posts wins with three NYRA Starter Loyalty Program members

by Brian Bohl

Ten trainers saddled 12 total winners who earned bonuses totaling $26,155 as part of the New York Racing Association's innovative Starter Loyalty Program during the week of racing from February 21-24 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trainer Jason Servis was the only conditioner who won with multiple starters eligible for the NYRA Starter Loyalty Program during the week, posting three victories. His winners included Diamond member H Man, owned by M and A Racing and bred by Eric Fein, who captured Friday's sixth race and a $3,300 bonus for a total winner's share of $25,300. His stablemate, Mr. Dougie Fresh, a Gold member bred by Stephen McDonald, earned a $2,888 bonus for a $41,388 winner's share for winning Race 8 on Thursday. On Sunday, M and D Racing's Have Another, a Gold member, earned an additional $1,980 for winning the fourth race, worth a total of $28,380.

Other trainers who benefitted from the program were Chris Englehart, Merktan Kantarmaci, Todd Pletcher, Marco Salazar, Rodrigo Ubillo, Danny Gargan and Gary Gullo.

The Steven Jerkens-trained Formal Start earned the most bonus money during the week by capturing Saturday's Race 5. Owned and bred by Seacoast Thoroughbreds of N.E., Formal Start, a Platinum member, picked up an additional $4,400 for a total winner's share of $39,600.

"It's a great program and it's nice that it helps support the owners who keep racing going," Jerkens said.

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.

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.