Day rates

[serenarider]

What are the average day rates for the track?

[Hold Your Peace]

At mid-level tracks like Laurel, Colonial, Calder etc; you're looking at $60 to $75 a day these days.

New York or Southern California would be over $100 a day these days. I suspect somebody like Pletcher might be as much as $120 a day these days.

You could probably still find trainers at smaller tracks like Charles Town for around $50 a day.

Depending on the trainer you could also be looking at vet bills that easily average $50 a day though.

You take an outfit like Pletcher's, that uses the vet heavily, and I bet when all costs were considered that it's close to $200 a day (training, vet, farrier, misc;) to have a horse with them in New York.

[Sock Monkey]

It really depends which track.

$60 - $75 can get you a good trainer on a good circuit. As Hold Your Peace said, you'll pay more for the big guys.

I know some guys in OK are still charging in the low 20s/day. In LA at EVD/DED, the lowest I know of is $30 and the highest is $65. I don't know what Steve Asmussen charges, though. I suspect it's more than $65.

I'm curious what day rates are at the really cheap tracks.

[tbrace]

Out in Idaho and places like that, it is still $30 or so a day.

NorCal tracks are about $60-$70.

It will always be in direct proportion to the purses available.

It costs no more to train a horse in SoCal than in NorCal for the trainer (however, they will all say it does), but the owner pays about 50% more, because the purses are higher in SoCal.

In many ways, it is fair. Pay more to win more. The key is placing your horse at a track where he can win, and therefore pay his way.

[serenarider]

Thanks guys. My filly should be ready to run in Dec. I took it slow with her so she will be 3 in Jan. I will start her here in Fl. I am thinking Tampa. So I was trying to get a idea or rates. She is a nice homebred that I am having fun with and do not want to mess her up. lol She is in my pic here.

[madelyn]

Here in KY it is hard to get a good job done for under $45 a day.

Riders are $15 a ride, stall rent is $7+ a day. Groom is about $15 a day. What is left goes to bedding, feed, supplements, and stable supplies. Below that price, you see nags show up for races with rough lacklustre coats, bones showing, unconditioned, long feet, etc. Here, you get what you pay for.

[Hold Your Peace]

Thanks guys. My filly should be ready to run in Dec. I took it slow with her so she will be 3 in Jan. I will start her here in Fl. I am thinking Tampa. So I was trying to get a idea or rates. She is a nice homebred that I am having fun with and do not want to mess her up. lol She is in my pic here.

My guess at Tampa would be $55 a day for somebody decent.

Stalls are at a premium at Tampa so line up a trainer who'll have a stall for her as soon as possible before the meet begins at Tampa.

[Playwithfire]

I bet day rates are only going up too with the cost of feed rising quickly...so lock in that rate soon!

[madelyn]

I don't think a rate can be "locked in" - day rates are directly affected by feed rates, rising employment costs, worker's comp insurance, etc. If feed goes up, the trainer will likely raise the day rate. A trainer can't afford to go into his own pocket to feed your horse.

[TBLADY]

I pay $50 + expenses in Ky and I love the results I have got thus far

[madelyn]

I pay $50 + expenses in Ky and I love the results I have got thus far

When you say "+ expenses" what are you paying above $50 a day??

[TBLADY]

Vet ,blacksmith, race day meds via vet, hauling, massage ther,...the usual.