East Rutherford, NJ — The SBOA of NJ Board have, at the suggestion of The Meadowlands management, approved a pilot program to pay three percent of the purse to those whose horses finish from fifth to last in all overnight races (excluding the MADC races which will continue their current format which has included this policy for years).

The purse distribution percentages will be adjusted to cover the cost and change with the number of starters.

For reference, to date in 2024 there have been 217 (non-MADC) races comprised of 1,965 (estimated) starters with 846, or 43 percent, of those receiving nothing for their efforts.

Over the past two years, Meadowlands handle has been buoyed by full fields. Recognizing that the racing is ultra-competitive and that 10 horse fields have previously resulted in five connections receiving no money for their efforts, the hope is that helping to defray the cost of bringing a horse to race will keep horses racing here during the most competitive time of the year in the region.

This project begins with the races of March 15 and 16 and will continue through June 1 at which time the effect will be evaluated and a decision made on its future.