This week, the New York Racing Association reported that it will be adding additional incentives and bonuses for owners and trainers at this year’s edition of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The event will be hosted on Thursday, June 8 through Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the association’s Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Once again, the thrilling festival will be highlighted by the Grade I, US$1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NURA Bets. This is on course to be the 155th edition of the race, which is the final leg for the Triple Crown on June 10, 2023. It will feature a total of 16 stakes events with purses exceeding US$7.65 million. The Belmont Stakes card will come with nine graded races.
This Year’s Bonuses
In its latest press, NYRA confirmed horses placed fourth through last in stakes races and horses placed second through last in non-stake races during the festival, will receive a Starter Bonus. Also, horses of trainers who participate in any of the races and are not stabled at the NYRA track will be eligible for a shipping bonus of US$1,000 for shipping expenses.
June 8 will have bonuses for owners of horses in the Grade 2 Wonder Again and Listed Jersey Girl which will be awarded to the fourth-place with US$5,000, fifth-place US$3,000, and sixth-place US$2,000 finishers. Meanwhile, seventh through last place-place finishers will each get US$1,000. Moreover, the second through last-place finishers of seven non-stake races for June 8 will be given US$1,000 to the owner and US$500 to the trainer.
For June 9, there will be bonuses for owners in the Grate 1 New York, Grade 1 Acord, Grade 1 Just a Game, Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup and Graced 3 Intercontinental of US$5,000 to the fourth-place, US$3,000 for up to fifth, and US$2,000 for sixth. Meanwhile, seventh through last-place finishers will get US$1,000. Trainers of fourth through last-place horses will be incentivized by US$1,000 each.
Last day will provide bonuses for owners in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes by NYRA Bets, Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan, Grade 1 Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap, Grade 1 Ogden Phipps, Grade 1 Jaipur, Grade 1 Woody Stephens, Grade 2 True North, Grade 2 Brooklyn and Grade 3 Poker will get four, fifth, and sixth-places with US$5,00, US$3,000, and US$2,000 respectively.
Recent News by NYRA
At the start of the month, New York officials gave their go-ahead to NYRA and its US$455 million loan for the renovation of Belmont Park. The proposed overhaul would include modern amenities and hospitality offerings. For its busiest weekend of the calendar – the Belmont Stakes which is held in June, will have a larger infield connected via underground pedestrian tunnels.
On an even more recent note, NYRA announced will be making enhancements to the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour package. Due to the high demand last year, the tour will be available every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during the Saratoga Race Course meet and will include two active Thoroughbred breeding farms – Song Hill Thoroughbreds and Old Tavern Farm.
Source: “NYRA Announces Bonuses for Owners, Trainers” BloodHorse, May 18, 2023