The New York Racing Association (NYRA) rolled out an initiative beginning April 2, 2018, where runners can earn purse bonuses between five and 15% of money earned in qualifying races based on their number of starts at NYRA tracks. The program runs through April 1, 2019. Just over six months into the program, $347,320.50 (as of Oct. 18) has been earned by more than 400 eligible starters.
“It's designed to be a benefit to the people who are here year-round,” said trainer David Donk, “and I think anything that can financially benefit the clients, being the owners and horsemen, will end up being good for business. You've got a lot that are already at certain tiers and a lot of them that are dirt horses who should progress through the winter.”
Any winners' races at any NYRA track are eligible for bonuses, with starters earning bonuses after their fifth start at a NYRA track during the year-long program. The more starts a horse makes, the higher the percentage of money earned. No fewer than 50 individual starters entered for Saturday's Empire Showcase Day at Belmont Park, which has an 11-race card exclusively featuring New York-breds, are part of the program. Among those who have already earned extra percentages are the Uriah St. Lewis runner Discreet Lover (Repent), who garnered an additional $20,625 from the program for his win in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. Sept. 29.
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