The 20% bonus previously announced by the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association is for overnight races only and does not apply to stakes races.
The bonus program, which will span the entire 2009 season at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, pays an additional 20% for winning horses in overnight races that are Pennsylvania owned, trained or sired. Qualifying winners will automatically receive the 20% as part of their purse cheques, and no action is required on their part.
In the first three days of racing, approximately $31,500 in bonuses were awarded.
This will be the second year in which the PHHA has offered bonuses at the northeastern Pennsylvania oval. The 2008 bonus program was designed to help compensate for a meet that was shortened to allow for construction of a new, $6.2 million paddock.
Last year, approximately $800,000 in purses were awarded under the old program. Thanks to this year’s full-length meet, along with some added accumulation in the purse account, the 2009 bonus program is expected to award as much as $1.5 million in additional earnings. The program’s performance will be evaluated on a monthly basis.
“Last year’s bonus program added an extra dimension of excitement to fields that were already very tightly competitive,” said Mr. Beal. “We want to build on that momentum for 2009 and deliver the most thrilling year of Pennsylvania racing yet.”
He added, “This is a great win-win for fans and our members alike. Any time we can increase the quality of racing and reward Pennsylvania horsemen at the same time, we have to take advantage of the opportunity.”