The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) Board has, at the suggestion of The Meadowlands, approved a pilot program to pay three per cent of the purse to those whose horses finish from fifth to last in all overnight races. This program excludes the Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club (MADC) races, which will continue their current format and has included this policy for years.
The purse distribution percentages will be adjusted to cover the cost and change with the number of starters.
For reference, to date in 2024 there have been 217 (non-MADC) races comprised of approximately 1,965 starters with 846 or 43 per cent of those receiving nothing for their efforts.
"Over the past two years, Meadowlands handle has been buoyed by full fields. Recognizing that the racing is ultra-competitive and that 10 horse fields have previously resulted in five connections receiving no money for their efforts, the hope is that helping to defray the cost of bringing a horse to race will keep horses racing here during the most competitive time of the year in the region," said the track in a statement on Saturday, March 9.
This project begins with the races of March 15 & 16 and will continue through June 1 at which time the effect will be evaluated and a decision made on its future.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)
Meadowlands purse structure
Hats off to the Meadowlands For their forward thinking, I do believe something like this was talked about in Ontario a few years back but fell on deaf ears, Here's hoping the numbers prove the Meadowlands right.