Benefits Of NY Winter
Racing Program

Lucrative Purse Structure

Including its strong stakes program, Aqueduct’s 2018 winter meet averages nearly $500,000 in daily overnight purses. Maiden special weight races at Aqueduct, with a $60,000 purse minimum, rank among the highest nationally during the winter months.

Winner’s purse share for maiden special weight races:

Per Start Credit Program For Winter Meet

Owners receive a minimum of $300 for runners finishing 4th through last; trainers receive $300 for all runners finishing 4th through last. The Per-Start Credit offsets the cost of NYJICF workers’ comp payments – shippers pay just $215 per start for a maximum of $2,150; initial payment for horsemen based in New York is $1,500, and will be paid off in five starts. 

Robust New York-Bred Owners Incentive Awards

New York-breds who finish first, second or third while competing in open company races at NYRA tracks earn their owners a bonus of 20% (New York-sired) or 10% (non-New York sired), up to $20,000 per award. In 2017, more than $15 million was distributed in breeder, stallion, and owner awards for New York-bred thoroughbreds.

Advantages For Backstretch Employees

Backstretch workers at Aqueduct and Belmont Park have access to a host of NYTHA-sponsored programs, including the free health clinic, free dental and eyeglass programs, recreation program and a scholarship program for workers and their immediate families.

For additional information, please contact Andy Belfiore, NYTHA Executive Director.

Andy Belfiore
[email protected]
(718) 848-5045