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Preakness Stakes Bonus Offered To Maryland-Bred And -Sired Runners

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association will offer a series of bonuses for runners bred or sired in the state that perform well in October's Preakness Stakes, potentially totaling $500,000.

If a horse that's both Maryland-bred and -sired wins the Preakness on Oct. 3, the winner's owner and breeder will each receive a bonus of $225,000, and the owner of the winner's sire will receive $50,000.

For a Preakness winner that's Maryland-bred, but not Maryland-sired, the owner and breeder will each earn a $225,000 bonus.

A Preakness winner that's Maryland-sired, but not Maryland-bred, would earn the winning racehorse owner $225,000 and the stallion owner $50,000.

Finishing second for horses in any of the above categories would earn their connections 20 percent of the winner's bonus – $45,000 for owners and breeders, and $10,000 for stallion owners. Running third in the Preakness would earn 10 percent – $22,500 for owners and breeders, and $5,000 for stallion owners.

Past Maryland-bred Preakness winners include Deputed Testamony (1983), Kauai King (1966), and Challedon (1939). Last year's race featured the Maryland-bred multiple stakes winner Alwaysmining.

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Pennsylvania Breeder, Owner Awards To Remained Unchanged Through Pandemic-Affected Season

Following is an open letter to breeders from the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused much hardship in the breeding and racing world. Its effect on our families has been physically and mentally demanding, and in some cases, devastating. We hope that the worst is behind us. We'd like to thank our breeders who donated money to help others feed and care for their horses during this time of need. With the reopening of Pennsylvania racing, it is imperative that our breeders begin to earn as much as possible to make up for the unexpected shutdown.

Let us first start by saying that breeder awards will be paid at the same rate as before the closure, which includes the additional 25 percent for maiden races, finishing first through third. That's 50 percent for PA-Sired PA-Breds and 25 percent for non-PA-Sired PA-Breds. Breeder awards in all other races will continue to be paid at 40 percent and 20 percent respectively.

Secondly, owner bonuses will remain the same as before the closure. Parx will be at 40 percent, Penn National at 20 percent and Presque Isle at 30 percent. Many of our breeders are also racing their horses, so it is important to keep those percentages at the same level. By doing this, we help to solidify our commitment to those breeders who sell their horses commercially and to the new owners that purchase at the sales.

Restricted races, which are very much a staple for many of our breeders and an alternative for new owners, will continue to be offered at all three racetracks.

Also, where would Pennsylvania be without PA Day at the Races? At this point, it is unclear when fans will be allowed back in the stands but we will be moving our big day to sometime around Labor Day, which will include PA-Bred Stakes Races! Fans or not, those of you who look forward to this full card, PA-Bred day will not be disappointed.

We feel that the combination of awards, bonuses and restricted races listed above are necessary in order to bring Pennsylvania breeding and racing back with a splash. We would like to thank the PTHA and the HBPA for their continued contribution making the Pennsylvania breeding program the best in the country! It is only with all of our organizations working together that we are and will continue to be PA Proud! Go Pa!!

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Indiana Announces Revamped 2020 Indiana Thoroughbred Breeder Program

Changes to the 2020 Indiana Thoroughbred racing program have been approved as Indiana's racetracks prepare to commence racing in mid-June after the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the start of the racing season. The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved the recommended program in a virtual meeting last week.

Due to casino closures and the potential for reduced revenues once reopened, funding available for the program decreased significantly, with the new projected revenue being around $8.2 million. However, even with the decreased numbers, the Indiana Thoroughbred racing program offered for 2020 remains strong.

“Going into this year's racing program, we were excited to offer a program with many enhancements; however, due to the unique situation we are now in, many of those elements had to be put on hold until the 2021 program,” says Jessica Barnes, director of racing and breed development for the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. “I'm thankful the tracks, horsemen's groups and commission were able to all come together to offer the best program we could during these unprecedented times.”

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino was originally scheduled to open April 14, but the track and the backside were closed due to the statewide COVID-19 pandemic quarantine on March 16. With approval from the governor's office, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) recently released a phased approach to begin horse racing in Indiana, with the backside of the tracks now open. The plan calls for racing to commence at the two pari-mutuel tracks the week of June 16 without spectators. If there is no change to Governor Holcomb's “Back on Track Indiana” plan, spectators will be able to return to the tracks on July 4.

The new race schedule will see a reduced number of races, totaling 206 restricted Thoroughbred races. While the lucrative restricted Indiana-bred stakes schedule remains intact, there have been purse reductions enacted across the board. The six Indiana Signature Stakes (which includes the two newest races that were approved in February), and typically pay out $150,000, have been reduced to $100,000, while the other 22 restricted Indiana-bred and Indiana-sired stakes will be contested at $75,000. In total, the restricted stakes will pay more than $2 million in 2020.

One noticeable change between the initial 2020 program and the one recently approved is within the Indiana Breeders Awards. The award percentage, designed to reward breeders for foaling in Indiana, will remain at 2019 levels.

“I'd like to thank the track for the assistance they've offered the program,” says Blaine Davidson, member of the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Advisory Committee. “We're very, very fortunate to even be able to race this year, and I'm very pleased with what I've seen. I know it's not what everyone expected, but we're making it work.”

While the commission has approved the revised plan, Barnes is quick to point out that things are able to change as the casinos open up and patrons return to the track for on-track wagering.

“If we get a month or two into the reopening, and projections are better than what we have forecasted, we have the flexibility to go back to the commission with a revised proposal,” explains Barnes. “This is a fluid situation, and our program has the ability to adjust in a manner that will best benefit our breeders, owners and trainers.”

More information can be found on the program's website (http://in.gov/hrc/tb/).

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