Jockeys Receive Mount Fee Increase at Emerald

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The Jockeys’ Guild and the Washington HBPA have reached an agreement on a new mount fee schedule at Emerald Downs which will take effect when the track opens its 2011 racing season April 15.

Mount fees will now range from $55-$115 as opposed $45 to $105 under the old fee schedule.

“This agreement was a cooperative effort of the Washington HBPA, the jockeys, and the Guild,” said Darrell Haire, regional manager for the Guild, in a release. “I would like to thank Ronald Maus, the president of the Washington HBPA, and its board and staff for working with us on this agreement and also the spirit in which business was conducted.  I would also like to thank Paul George, chairman of the Washington Horse Racing Commission, and its members for their approval.”   
        
“The jockeys and the Guild are committed to help the Washington HBPA and Emerald Downs improve and promote racing for this great community,” said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys’ Guild, in a statement. “This agreement is the beginning of our work together. Through other cooperative efforts with the Washington HBPA, we believe we can have a positive impact on racing in the Seattle area.”    

Ron Maus, president of the Washington Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, concurred with Meyocks’ assessment saying, ”We strongly believe our industry benefits from our working cooperatively, and this is but one of our initiatives in making it so. We are pleased to have the Guild and its members as partners in the Washington racing industry.”

This new scale follows increases in mount fees through legislation at California tracks and negotiated increases at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Saratoga, Finger Lakes, Monmouth, Meadowlands, Atlantic City, Hawthorne, Arlington Park, Fairmount Park, Gulfstream Park, Calder, Tampa Bay Downs, Tropical Park, Fair Grounds, Louisiana Downs, Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Turf Paradise, Yavapai Downs, Indiana Downs, Hoosier Park, Delaware Park, Charles Town, Mountaineer, Prairie Meadows, Oaklawn, Fair Meadows at Tulsa, Remington Park, Will Rogers Downs, Sunland Park, SunRay Park, The Downs at Albuquerque, Ruidoso Downs, and Zia Park. 

Jockeys at Philadelphia Park, Penn National, and Presque Isle have also received raises in their losing mount fees. Negotiations are ongoing in other racing jurisdictions.