Ontario-sired program bonus program to continue in 2017-18

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The HPBA of Ontario and Woodbine Entertainment Group have announced that the Ontario-sired bonus program will not be eliminated during eligible horses’ 2- and 3-year-old campaigns in 2017-18.

According to a press release put out by Woodbine, the program exceeded expectations in 2014, when $3.6 million was paid out, and in 2015, when $4.4 million was awarded. Woodbine made adjustments to the program for 2016 in an effort to realign the bonus to the $2 million that was budgeted.

Currently, eligible Ontario-sired horses earn a 20 percent bonus in claiming races and a 30 percent bonus in allowance and maiden special weight events. The bonus was 40 percent in 2014-15.

The two groups are scheduled to meet this fall to confirm the purses and conditions for the 2017 racing season.