Timonium meet opens with larger purses

The seven-day Maryland State Fair season at Timonium begins Friday and runs through Sept. 5. Purses and the trainers’ bonus program have been increased in an attempt to boost field size.

Racing will be conducted over the five-eighths of a mile Timonium oval Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays the next two weekends and on Labor Day, Sept. 5. In a change, simulcast wagering will be offered at Timonium on dark days during the meet. The Maryland Jockey Club opened a simulcast facility at Timonium several months ago.

“I’m hoping the higher purses and the trainers’ bonus get the horsemen’s attention,” said Georganne Hale, the track’s director of racing.

Hale said purses have been boosted 10 percent across the board and will average about $150,000 per day. Timonium shares the purse account of the Maryland Jockey Club tracks of Laurel Park and Pimlico, and the decision was made to increase purses to encourage more participation from horsemen.

Maiden races at the meet will offer a purse of $32,000. The opening-day feature is a first-level optional-claiming race with a purse of $35,000. Maryland-breds will be eligible for a 30 percent statebred bonus in all races.

Trainer bonuses have been increased from $10,000 to $20,000 this year, with the added funds coming from the Maryland State Fair.

The traditional trainers’ bonus has been increased from $10,000 to $15,000. Horsemen get points for wins, seconds, thirds, and starters. The top five point earners split the bonus on a sliding scale.

A new $5,000 bonus has been created that will go to the trainer who earns the most purse money at the meet. If the winning trainer also qualifies for part of the participation bonus, he will only receive the earnings bonus and will be replaced in the participation bonus by the next eligible trainer.

Takeout at Timonium is 17 percent on win, place, show, and two-horse and two-race exotics. The takeout on all other wagers is 25 percent.