Francesca LeDonne Photo

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez saddles a pair of Starter Loyalty Program winners

by NYRA Press Office

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez sent out two winners during the week of racing from January 24-27 at Aqueduct Racetrack, as one of nine conditioners to saddle a winner who earned a bonus check for his horses' performances as a participant in the New York Racing Association's (NYRA) 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, 11 winning horses from 28 total races at the Big A were members of the Starter Loyalty Program. Rodriguez picked up victories during the week with Platinum member Tribecca and Gold member Haul Anchor.

Rodriguez joined trainers Merktan Kantarmaci, who also saddled two winners, along with single-race winners Steve Asmussen, David Cannizzo, Brad Cox, Chris Englehart, John Kimmel, Robert Falcone, Jr., and Todd Pletcher.

Rodriguez, who notched his 1,000th career win here at Aqueduct in March, boasts eight NYRA training titles on an impressive resume, including a recent tie for the Aqueduct fall meet title with Pletcher.

Tribecca, a chestnut son of Bustin Stones, went gate-to-wire to win an allowance optional claiming sprint on January 27 picking up the $36,850 winner's share of the purse plus a 12.5 percent Platinum Starter Loyalty bonus of $4,606 for total earnings of $41,456 for owners Red Storm Stable and Gerard Stuchbury.

"It's a very good program for the owners and the trainers," said Rodriquez. "This horse is New York-bred and we claimed this horse to try and run him through the winter. Today was good, we get an extra bonus and it helps to pay the bills."

Tribecca was claimed on September 1 for $25,000 out of a Saratoga Race Course turf sprint and has hit the board in four of five starts for his new connections.

"He looked good today. I think that's the way he wants to run, just break good and see if he can make the lead," said Rodriguez, who also sent out Haul Anchor to win the opener on January 26.

Other winning members of the Starter Loyalty Program last week included Fair Regis (Jan. 25, Race 2); Arewehavingfunyet (Jan. 25, Race 5); No Hayne No Gayne (Jan. 25, Race 7); Golden Vale (Jan. 25, Race 9), Big Muddy (Jan. 26, Race 7); Mr. Buff (Jan. 26, Race 8); No Distortion (Jan. 26, Race 9); Tayler's the Boss (Jan. 27, Race 6), and Win with Pride (Jan. 27, Race 7.)

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.