With the backstretch now open at Woodbine Racetrack, Woodbine Entertainment announced that it is introducing a Starter Bonus for trainers for the 2024 racing season.
A Starter Bonus of $50 will be paid to all trainers who start a horse in an overnight race that finishes outside of the top-five. The Starter Bonus is not applicable to stakes races.
“We appreciate and understand that our trainers are managing rising operating costs just like we are,” said Tim Lawson, Vice President of Thoroughbred Racing for Woodbine. “The Starter Bonus idea has been discussed previously with our horse people and this off-season we took a close look at it and found a way to implement it this season that will support our trainers and put some money back in their pockets.
“Ultimately, our goal is to further increase our investment in our horse people when we are in a position to do so, but in the meantime, we are constantly looking for creative ways to ease some day-to-day financial pressures for trainers throughout the long meet.”
Woodbine also shared that it has allocated approximately 1,900 stalls, 90-100 more stalls than last year. Horses started to ship-in earlier this week with the training track scheduled to open on Saturday, March 2, and the all-weather main track for training on Monday, March 11, subject to weather.
The 129-day 2024 racing meet at Woodbine Racetrack opens on Saturday, April 27.
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