The New York Racing Association announced May 26 the Belmont Big Apple Bonus, a new initiative created to reward owners and trainers for participating in the fall meet at the new Belmont Park.
Scheduled to launch with the Sept. 18 opening of the fall meet, 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 NYRA senior vice president for racing and operations Andrew Offerman. "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, Turfway Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 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 should the horse make three consecutive starts at Belmont Park. A horse that 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 an historic moment in New York racing," said New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association president Tina Marie Bond. "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 NY-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.
Detailed list of Big Apple Bonus rules, requirements
The fall meet at the new Belmont Park will offer record purse levels across all overnight categories. First-level optional-claiming events will be offered for $105,000 and second-level optional-claiming races will be offered for $108,000. Maiden special weight races will receive an 18% increase from $85,000 to $100,000, while New York-bred maiden special weights will enjoy a 25% boost from $80,000 to $100,000.
Live racing begins at the new Belmont Park Sept. 18 with an opening day program anchored by the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event, which provides a "Win and You're In" berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). To celebrate the unveiling of the new Belmont Park, NYRA will increase these record overnight purses by an additional 50% specifically for the opening day program.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
