This week, the New York Racing Association issued a press release to inform that it will be increasing purses at Saratoga Race Course. The new series of purse bumps will apply to New York-bred horses which will compete at the upcoming summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. Purses will increase by 30% in comparison to the non-New-York-breds.
Saratoga Race Courses summer meet will debut on Thursday, July 13, 2023, and will run through Monday, September 4, 2023. This year’s meet will have a four-day opening weekend, but after that, it will move to a five-day one with racing from Wednesdays, through Sundays. With the exception of the closing week, when the season will end on Monday.
Increase in Purses for Locally Bred Horses
Frank Gabriel, NYRA senior vice president of Racing Operations remarked that the organization is and will always be committed to supporting and bolstering the New York-bred program. He also mentioned that these purse increases will represent the sustained growth and advancement of the New York-bred market while also providing further incentives for owners in the program.
In its press, NYRA explained purses for registered New York-bred running in select open-company events will be 30% higher than purses offered for horses not bred in the Empire State. Also, New York State Breeding Fund Owner Awards and breeder awards will be paid on top of the newly added 30% increase in purse for locally bred horses for this meet.
In the open maiden special weight races, NY-breds will compete for a purse of US$136,500 with another potential US$23,571 due to NYSBFOA, while non-locally produced will be in contention for US$105,000. In allowance levels, the open first-level allowance will be U$149,500 for locally bred, while non-local horses will compete for a purse of US$115,000.
Furthermore, in its press, the association elaborated the open second-level allowances provide a New York-bred purse of US$156,000 (with a potential additional US$27,144 from NYSBFOA) and a non-New York-bred purse of US$120,000. Additionally, the third-level open allowances offer New York-breds US$162,500 (with a possible US$28,275 from NYSBFOA) and a non-New York-bred purse of US$125,000.
In the meantime, NYRA is also preparing for the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, as this week, the organization hosted a job fair to recruit seasonal staff members. The hiring event started on June 22 and will run through June 24, 2023, at the Thoroughbred track located at 267 Union Ave. Applicants are asked to enter through the Wright Street entrance or Gate 8.
Introducing Horse Racing to Younger Generations
In addition to delivering world-class Thoroughbred racing, NYRA is also always looking into ways of attracting younger audiences. One instance of that is when last summer the association collaborated with Amplify Horse Racing to offer “Amplifying the Future of Racing” which aimed to provide educational tours for youth and young adults and introduce them to the sector.
Source: Schott, Ken “NYRA announces significant purse increases for New York-breds at Saratoga Race Course” The Daily Gazette, June 22, 2023
