Tag: The Biz

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Board of Directors has approved an increase in claiming prices and changes in race conditions in some categories along with a blended purse increase for overnight races that will begin July 1 and extend at least through the end of 2022.

The changes were developed in conjunction with the Maryland Jockey Club. The purse hike will average 10% to 11%, with a bottom purse of $17,000 for a $5,000 condition claimer and the highest purse at $70,000 for an open allowance race.

The increase in claiming prices stemmed from discussions on providing a higher return on investment for Thoroughbred owners who race in Maryland by elevating the value of racehorses, and combating the inflation of expenses and auction prices in the current environment. The purse increase, in many categories, reflects the changes in claiming prices.

The MTHA board also considered the possibility there could be a limit on purses based on claiming prices should the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority opt to adopt a rule in the future. The purse-to-claiming-price ratio rule was not included in the HISA Racetrack Safety Program that takes effect July 1 because some stakeholders around the country expressed concerns.

Under the revised structure, maiden claiming prices will be $45,000-$36,000 (which includes a Maryland-bred or Maryland-sired waiver), $30,000-$24,000, $20,000-$16,000, and $12,500-$10,000. Purses for each of those categories, as well as maiden special weights, will be higher. There will no longer be a maiden claiming $25,000-$20,000 with a Maryland-sired waiver.

There is also a change in a claiming eligibility rule: A horse is ineligible if it has started for less than $5,000—unless it has finished first, second or third for $5,000 or more since starting for less than $5,000.

The complete list of revised purses, conditions, and claiming prices appears here.

After cancellation of live racing for two weeks at Laurel in January, the MTHA board authorized a 20% hike in purses from Jan. 16 through the end of February. A 10% increase (based upon the purse structure prior to the lost days) was in place through March and for the short spring meet that ended May 8.

“The temporary purse increases benefited horsemen at a critical time, but committing to a purse hike through at least the end of 2022 will provide consistency for our racing program and help horsemen plan for the remainder of the year,” MTHA President Tim Keefe said. “In addition, this seemed to be a good time to increase various claiming prices and gauge the impact it could have on our owners and our racing product.”

MTHA projections show that even with the purse increase the Thoroughbred Purse Account will maintain a strong cushion at the end of this year and into 2023.

To view changes, click here.

The post Maryland Purses, Claiming Prices For Select Races To Increase July 1 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Delaware Jockeys' Health and Welfare Fund held a Jockey Health Day on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in the Delaware Park jockeys' quarters. Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance (Premier PT) hosted the event for the second year in a row.

A team of four doctors and three athletic trainers offered their services free of charge for this event; Dr. Kelly Ryan, Dr. Megan McQuarrie, Dr. Sean Sussman, Dr. Sarah Robinson, and Athletic Trainers Mandy Minutola, Kennedie Ebersole, and Paige Ezell. About 20 jockeys attended the event to undergo physical examinations, baseline concussion testing, and onboarding onto the HeadCheck health management system.

Delaware Park has had a licensed athletic trainer during live racing with a treatment room in the jockeys' quarters since 2018.

Premier PT, in partnership with Laurel Park track physician Dr. Kelly Ryan of Medstar, has utilized HeadCheck, a web-based end-to-end solution to execute concussion protocols, mitigate risk, and support recovery. HeadCheck gives participating racetracks the ability to instantly remove and return jockeys to riding by sharing possible injury alerts, performing baseline tests and physical examinations, completing injury reports and medical clearances, and collecting jockey emergency contact information and other pertinent information. HeadCheck uses strict HIPAA compliance with multi-level access where private health information is only provided to medical personnel. Tracks participating in the program include Delaware Park, Laurel, Timonium, Charles Town, Finger Lakes, Parx, and Penn National.

“Myself and our Maryland colony are very fortunate for the relationship we have with Delaware in an effort to improve safety for our local jockeys. Mandy Minutola and Premier PT are excellent examples of utilizing the sports medicine model at the racetrack. Delaware Park is one of the first to successfully have an athletic trainer at the track managing jockey health,” stated Dr. Kelly Ryan. “Other tracks should model their system to provide concussion and injury management. Their efforts have been invaluable in improving and customizing the HeadCheck system, and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

The 88-day Delaware Park meet opened on Wednesday, May 25, and concludes on Saturday, November 5. Live racing occurs on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Beginning in June, select Fridays will be added through November 4. The first race daily post time is set for 12:30 p.m. (ET) at Delaware Park.

The post Delaware Park Jockeys Onboarded Onto HeadCheck Health Management System During Jockey Health Day appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association will name its Scholarship Program in honor of Kent Stirling, who served as the executive director of the horsemen's organization, then the FHBPA, for 20 years.

“This is a fitting tribute to someone who devoted his life to our industry and to our people,” FTHA President Joe Orseno said. “Kent was diligent in his efforts on behalf of the owners and trainers, but the backstretch workers who most benefit from the Scholarship Program held a special place in his heart.”

The Kent Stirling Scholarship Program awards grants for tuition, books and other educational expenses to the trainers and backstretch workers at Gulfstream Park who are licensed and live year-round in Florida, and to their immediate dependents. The grants can be used at any accredited college, university, community college or trade school.

More than $110,000 in scholarships have been awarded since the program was started five years ago. Current scholarship students are pursuing careers as diverse as oceanographer, clinical psychologist, registered nurse, athletic trainer, and dialysis technician.

Stirling, who passed away in 2017, was a trainer for 20 years before taking on the role of executive director in 1995. An authority on therapeutic medications, he was an advocate for horsemen and backstretch workers on the state and national level.

“The honor of having the Scholarship Program named after him would have thrilled Kent,” said his wife, Sheri Holmes Stirling, the Vice President of Administration at Gulfstream Park. “He worked tirelessly for the betterment of backside workers, but also for the betterment of all around him. He believed that education elevated the mind and soul. Kent's entire family and I are thrilled with this recognition of his time and dedication to the FHBPA.”

Scholarship applications are now available. The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, July 5, 2022. For more information, or to apply, click here.

The post FTHA Scholarship Program Named In Honor Of Kent Stirling appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The union representing assistant starters at the New York Racing Association tracks of Belmont, Aqueduct, and Saratoga has informed NYRA that its members will strike on Belmont Stakes (G1) day June 11 if their demands over health insurance benefits are not met, Thoroughbred Daily News reports.

Recent discussions between NYRA and Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers failed to reach a solution on the issue and the union served NYRA with a Notice of Intent to Strike.

TDN reached out to union representative Robert Olenick, who refused to comment.

NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna told the publication that NYRA has negotiated in good faith throughout the process.

“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,” McKenna said. “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.”

Contingency plans call for bringing in non-union starters on Belmont Day.

To read the full story at thoroughbreddailynews.com, click here.

The post NYRA Assistant Starters Threaten Belmont Stakes Day Strike Over Health Insurance Benefits appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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