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NYRA to Offer New York-Sired Bonus Program

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, in conjunction with the New York Racing Association, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund has introduced a lucrative new purse enhancement for owners of New York Stallion-sired New York-breds competing on the NYRA circuit.

Effective immediately, the 'New York-Sired Bonus' will provide an additional $5,000 to the winning owner of a New York-sired New York-bred who finishes first in all open company and New York-bred restricted maiden special weight, allowance, and allowance optional claiming races. The bonus does not apply to horses entered for a claiming tag.

“This agreement, coupled with the updated residency requirements for mares, ensures the best incentives and opportunities for all who participate in the New York-bred program,” said Najja Thompson, NYTB Executive Director. “As we enter the heart of the racing season, there is no better time to get involved in the New York-bred program.”

The New York-Sired Bonus program is funded through the NYRA Purse Account and will be awarded retroactively for qualifying winners dating back to November 18, 2021. NYRA will begin processing and paying out retroactive awards in the coming weeks. Moving forward, bonus payments will be made in the month following the qualifying win.

“The marketplace for New York-breds is extremely strong, and NYRA is pleased to support initiatives designed to fuel the continued growth of the breeding industry throughout New York,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “Beyond their continued success on the racetrack, the New York-bred program generates jobs and positive economic impact in every corner of the state.”

Designed to further incentivize participation in the growing New York-bred program, the New York-sired bonus will remain in place at all subsequent NYRA race meets. The bonus aligns with the residency rules concerning mares purchased at public auction established by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund in 2020. For a complete description of the New York-bred program mare residency rules, click here.

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NYRA Assistant Starters Threaten to Strike on Belmont Day

At an impasse with NYRA over health insurance benefits, the union representing assistant starters at Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga has informed the racing organization that it will wage a strike starting on the day of the GI Belmont S. if its demands are not met.

With recent discussions between NYRA and Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers failing to produce a solution, the union served NYRA with a Notice of Intent to Strike.

The union is asking for NYRA to pick up the health coverage from the time an assistant starter retires until they are eligible for medicare. When reached by the TDN, union representative Robert Olenick refused to comment.

“NYRA has negotiated in good faith throughout this process,” said NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna. “The same cannot be said for Local 3 IBEW, who have now resorted to threats and intimidation tactics to extricate themselves from a contract agreed to by both parties that has been in place for more than a decade. NYRA is committed to achieving an equitable solution, but it is unfortunate and counterproductive for the union to threaten to intentionally disrupt the Belmont Stakes.”

McKenna added that NYRA believes a strike will not cause a major disruption to the Belmont card.

“The reality is that NYRA has contingencies in place to ensure there would be absolutely no impact to the event no matter the action taken by Local 3 IBEW,” he said.

Contingency plans include bringing in non-union starters to man the gate on Belmont Day.

This is not the first time the union has threatened to strike on Belmont Day. Prior to the 2012 Belmont, the assistant starters threatened to strike, but the two sides reached an agreement in the days leading up to the race. The core issue in 2012 was a dispute about how overtime pay would be awarded.

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NYRA Clocker Penalized For Allegedly Altering Workout

A New York Racing Association (NYRA) clocker has been suspended for 30 days and fined $2,500 “for altering a published work of a horse to make the horse eligible to race.”

A New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) ruling dated May 19 states that Richard Gazer, a NYRA employee, has appealed his penalties and has been granted a stay while that process plays out.

But the ruling does not list any details about the circumstances, like the horse involved or the date of the alleged wrongdoing.

Asked via email to provide the specifics omitted from the ruling, NYSGC communications director Brad Maione wrote back, “The ruling speaks for itself. Since the matter is under appeal we cannot provide any more details at this time.”

David Grening, writing for DRF.com, got the scoop on Gazer's side of the story directly from the clocker, who has worked in that capacity for about 40 years.

“The horse in question is Papi On Ice (Keen Ice), who on May 1 was initially credited with a five-furlong work in 1:04.60 over the Belmont Park training track for trainer Randi Persaud. The work now reads a half-mile in :51.33,” Grening reported.

On Mar. 19, Papi On Ice debuted in a $20,000 maiden-claimer at Aqueduct and was “very sluggish early on” after brushing the gate at the break, according to the Equibase chart. The 3-year-old colt was pulled up and got walked off.

On Apr. 16, Papi On Ice ran fifth and last in an Aqueduct MSW, beaten 26 ¾ lengths after breaking inward and bumping a rival.

Grening reported that getting beaten more than 25 lengths triggered a precautionary placement on NYRA's “poor performance” list. He wrote that in order to get off that list, a horse must work a half-mile in :53 or faster. But the rule, “oddly, does not allow for a workout farther than a half-mile.”

Because Papi On Ice's workout was initially published as a five-furlong move, the racing office would not accept the colt's entry for an early May race, Grening reported.

Gazer told DRF that the time of the work was not changed, but the distance was shortened to comply with NYRA's rule. Gazer added that he did not supervise the work himself, but said he was told by the clocker who timed Papi On Ice that the horse did work a properly timed half mile as part of the longer five-eighths breeze on May 1.

“I believe I was well within the guidelines of what the protocols are,” Gazer told DRF.

The ruling cites four NYSGC rules under section 4022, all of which have to do with powers of the stewards to regulate and control the conduct of licensees.

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Aqueduct Spring Draws over $115M in Handle

The recently concluded 15-day spring meet at Aqueduct Racetrack generated $115,750,073 in all-sources handle, a 35.5 percent increase over the 11-day spring meet held in 2021, according to The New York Racing Association, Inc. Wednesday.

On-track handle for the 2022 Aqueduct spring meet, which includes wagering from New York State residents utilizing NYRA Bets, was $11,332,663. The 2021 Aqueduct spring meet, which was conducted without fans in attendance, saw on-track handle of $5,734,531. Average daily handle for the spring meet was $7,716,672 compared with $7,765,368 in 2021. The 2022 Aqueduct meet included 134 races with 37 on the turf. A total of 95 races were held with 29 on the turf. Average field size was 7.00 in 2022 compared with 7.16 in 2021.

The spring/summer meet at Belmont Park kicks off Apr. 28. First post is 1:20 p.m. EST.

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