NYRA launches bonus plan for re-opened Belmont's fall meet

The New York Racing Association is launching the Belmont Big Apple Bonus, a new initiative created to reward owners and trainers participating in the fall meet at the new Belmont Park.

Scheduled to begin with the opening of the fall meet on Sept. 18, the Big Apple Bonus will provide up to $8,500 in awards per horse shipping or relocating to Belmont Park from other racing jurisdictions. Owners and trainers currently based at NYRA are fully eligible for these bonuses, which complement the record overnight purses to be offered during the fall meet.

“Combining the richest fall purses in NYRA history with targeted incentives like the Big Apple Bonus will position owners and trainers for success at the new Belmont Park,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA senior vice president for racing and operations. “Our goal is to create important and accessible racing opportunities for those who choose to race in New York. We look forward to opening a re-imagined Belmont Park in September.”

Beginning Sept. 18, horses relocating or shipping from racetracks less than 400 miles from Belmont Park will qualify for a $3,000 bonus for their first start at the fall meet. The bonus will be divided between the owner and the trainer, with $2,000 paid to the owner and $1,000 to the trainer.

Horses relocating or shipping from racetracks more than 400 miles from Belmont Park will qualify for a $6,000 bonus for their first start of the fall meet. This geographic area includes, but is not limited to, Woodbine Racetrack, Turfway Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Oaklawn, Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds, Del Mar and Santa Anita Park. The bonus will be divided between the owner and the trainer, with $4,000 paid to the owner and $2,000 paid to the trainer.

Horses from either region who receive the Big Apple Bonus will qualify for an additional owner incentive of $2,500 if the horse makes three consecutive starts at Belmont Park. A horse who starts a race at any non-NYRA track following the initial Big Apple Bonus payment will forfeit eligibility in the third consecutive start bonus.

“The reopening of Belmont Park this fall will be a historic moment in New York racing," said Tina Marie Bond, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA). "We are all very excited about the new surfaces and the state-of-the-art new building that will be second to none. There will be a boost for all overnight races, and New York-breds will be racing for record purses. We have year-round racing and great programs for our backstretch workers. Encouraging our owners and trainers to bring in new horses to compete at Belmont, as well as attracting new owners and trainers to compete here, is a welcome initiative to boost participation and grow our product.”

To qualify for the Big Apple Bonus, the horse’s previous start or recorded workout must have taken place at a non-NYRA track.