Fairmount Park Jockeys Receive Mount Fee Increase

The Illinois HBPA made a commitment at the start of the meet to keep purses at the $5,000 level or above.

 

Jeff Johnston, regional manager for the Jockeys' Guild, said, "The jockeys at Fairmount Park were courteous and understanding of the horsemen's concerns about the health of the industry at Fairmount Park.  The fees are still outdated but we want to work with the horsemen to better the industry in southern Illinois.

 

Jockey fees at other Illinois tracks, Hawthorne and Arlington, recently instituted a scale that establishes the minimum fee at $80 and has increses in place for 4th and 5th place finishes.  Recent increases in mount fees were also put into effect at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Saratoga, Finger Lakes, Calder, Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park with increases in California in place last fall.  Discussions continue with many other racing jurisdictions.  Jockeys at Philadelphia Park also received an increase in fees.

 

"I want to thank the HBPA Board for their recognition that jockeys were due an increase and chief steward Jeff Bowen for his help in reaching this agreement at a difficult time for racing in southern Illinois," said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys' Guild.  "We all need to work together to solve the problems which face our sport across the country and the jockeys are committed to doing their part."

 

"The Guild is working towards setting up a model three-tiered mount fee scale based on purses and other factors.  One of the tier levels is comprised of tracks that have the most serious issues facing them.  The jockeys recognize that Fairmount Park and its horsemen are dealing with major issues right now.  The Fairmount Park jockeys are greateful for this increase and look forward to working with the industry in southern Illinois to improve racing in that area."