(Edited press release)
Losing mount fees for jockeys riding at Turf Paradise will be increased beginning Jan. 1, 2009.
The new scale calls for losing mount fees to range from $55 on the low end to $105 in races with a purse $100,000 or more. Previously, the losing mount fee was $45.
“We are happy that we were able to reach an agreement with the Arizona HBPA,” said Terry Meyocks, national manger of the Jockeys’ Guild. “This is the first meaningful increase in losing mount fees in Arizona in decades. I would like to thank Tom Metzen, the executive director of the Arizona HBPA, our Guild rep, Scott Stevens, and the Guild’s regional manager, Darrell Haire, for their work in reaching this agreement. The jockeys look forward to working with the horsemen and Turf Paradise management to help grow racing in the Phoenix area.”
This new scale follows increases in mount fees through legislation in California last fall and negotiated increases this year at Finger Lakes, the New York Racing Association tracks, Monmouth, Meadowlands, Atlantic City, Calder, Hawthorne, Arlington, Fairmount Park, Indiana Downs, Hoosier Park, and Tampa Bay Downs. Jockeys at Philadelphia Park and Penn National have also received raises in their losing mount fees.
“We appreciate the cooperation of the horsemen’s groups, racing commissions, and track managements that have helped achieve these needed raises in losing mount fees,” said Meyocks.
