Francesca LeDonne Photo

Trainer John Toscano, Jr. saddles two NYRA Starter Loyalty Program winners from January 18-21

by NYRA Press Office

Longtime New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) trainer John Toscano, Jr., who saddled two winners during the week of racing from January 18-21 at Aqueduct Racetrack, was one of six trainers to send out victorious participants in NYRA's innovative Starter Loyalty Program. He was also one of two trainers in the program to notch multiple wins.

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, nine winning horses from 25 total races at the Big A were members of the Starter Loyalty Program. Toscano Jr., posted a pair of claiming victories during the week with Diamond member Questeq and Gold member Miss Loyalty.

"I think it's a terrific program for horsemen," said Toscano, Jr. "It gives smaller horseman an incentive for competing on the circuit we're stabled at versus running out of town."

Toscano, Jr. joined trainer Rudy Rodriguez, who saddled three winners, along with Randi Persaud, Mark Hennig, Chad Brown, and Robert Barbara who each sent out one winner to each earn a bonus check through the program.

Questeq, with Luis Rodriguez Castro up, sprinted to victory in a January 18 claiming event and picked up the $20,350 winner's share of the purse, plus a Diamond Starter Loyalty bonus of $3,053, for a total of $23,403 for owner Woodland Farms.

The aptly-named Miss Loyalty, a Gold NYRA Starter Loyalty member piloted by Dylan Davis, romped to victory in a one-mile claiming event on January 19 to earn the $15,400 winner's share of the purse, plus a bonus of $1,155 for a total of $16,555.

Other winning members of the Starter Loyalty Program last week included Summer Punch (Jan. 18, Race 1); Potamac (Jan. 18, Race 4); Big Birthday (Jan. 18, Race 7); Aikenetta (Jan. 19, Race 7), Felix in Fabula (Jan. 19, Race 7); Local Counsel (Jan. 19, Race 8); and Mad Munnys (Jan. 20, Race 4).

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.