Louisiana increases rider fees

The minimum losing-mount fee for jockeys riding at Louisiana racetracks will rise from $35 to $50 beginning May 13 under a new pay scale approved by the state racing commission.

The $50 minimum will apply to all races with a purse of less than $5,000. Any race with a purse higher than that will require owners to pay losing mount fees on a scale that tops out at $115.

Previously in Louisiana, the minimum losing mount fee ranged from $35 to $100.

The Jockeys' Guild, a national organization that represents riders, lobbied the Louisiana State Racing Commission to approve the new scale. Over the past two years, tracks in 11 states have adopted pay scales with higher starting minimums.