Timonium doubles bonus money for trainers
The trainers’ awards at the upcoming Timonium meet have been doubled to $20,000 after the Maryland State Fair board put up $10,000 in an attempt to bolster racing at the seven-day meet.
According to the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association website, trainer Ferris Allen, who serves on both the fair board and the board of the MTHA, suggested increasing the trainers’ bonus as a way to increase horsemen’s participation at the meet.
The trainers’ participation pool, which rewards the top five trainers at the meet based on a points system for first, second, third, and total starters, has been increased from $10,000 to $15,000. A separate $5,000 award will be given to the trainer who earns the most purse money at Timonium.
If the top-earning trainer also is among the top five points earners, he will only receive the earnings award and will be replaced in the participation pool by the next eligible trainer.