Not sure if I am posting in the right place- so I apologize ahead of time… a client of mine wants to return to harness racing- wondering generally how track and trainer costs are running right now in east central PA and NJ? Any info or links would be greatly appreciated.
It really depends on what your friend is looking for. Easiest way is to find a consistent claimer and look at the programs. I throw out the “big barn” trainers, and look at the smaller outfits but with good stats.
Day fees are around $25-$45 a day plus any equipment and tack needed also you pay farrier and vet bills. You also pay for paddocks and tips for the groom are always a good thing.
Enjoy the Standardbreds, it is the best ROI in any racing.
Thanks! Going trotters as that is my client’s experience and rigging. Watched qualifiers at the tracks all week and even tried jogging. Definitely going claimers this late in the season… and agree with smaller trainers we want to stay rather local.
Never gave this a thought before …What a different world!
… fascinating that one can qualify at a fair race for pm (York)
I don’t think you can… as far as I know, you still have to qualify at a regular track to race at the fairs.
[QUOTE=propspony;7684833]
I don’t think you can… as far as I know, you still have to qualify at a regular track to race at the fairs.[/QUOTE]
Fair circuits generally have their own qualifiers -loads of fair horses never hit a ‘real’ track in their lives. The reverse is true - if a horse proves fast enough, they rarely have to qualify on a regular track unless it is over 30 days between starts.
In Pennsylvania you have to show a qualifying line from a regular track. At least our horses always had to. I think you have to go in 2:20 for trotters and 2:15 for pacers. We qualified at The Meadows.
[QUOTE=propspony;7684961]
In Pennsylvania you have to show a qualifying line from a regular track. At least our horses always had to. I think you have to go in 2:20 for trotters and 2:15 for pacers. We qualified at The Meadows.[/QUOTE]
Just going by the general rules as set by SC and USTA noy by a specific jurisdiction.
- All races are to be one-mile dashes. Horses must show an acceptable time at a pair-mutual track with timer, generated on or after May 25, within the following time standards:
2yo trotters 2:10
2yo pacers 2:06
3yo trotters 2:08
3yo pacers 2:04
PA fair racing commission. 2014
I believe however, that once qualified, you will be charted when you race and those lines will count at a regular track.
Not all jurisdictions follow the rules set by the governing bodies to the letter - they are given latitude to do exactly what PA did. To further complicate things, there are reciprocal agreements.
Any race that is charted, including Specials and Baby Races count as a start.
Well yes, I think we might be talking about two different things though…
The OP commented they thought it was cool that one could qualify, for say, Chester, by racing at York… Which isn’t necessarily the case, since to race at York, you need to qualify at a regular track (say Chester) first. That’s all I was getting at.
That said, OP harness racing, IMHO is one of the most wonderful horse sports you can get into. The people are fun, the purses, esp in PA are good, and the costs are nowhere near as high as TB racing. Not to mention, the horses are wonderful. Standardbreds need to be given so many kudos. Great minds, sweet temperaments… Heck my friends back home take their racehorses and do all kinda of fun things with them, from team penning to judged trail rides, and gymkhanas. These aren’t always their cheap claimers either! Lolol!
Seriously, enjoy it, and if you can, look into the USTA’s driving schools. They’re a BLAST!!!
