Ohio Fair Harness Racing “We Are Racing”
96th Annual Ohio Fairs Convention: Ohio Fair Managers Association February 11, 2021
Renée Mancino OHHA Executive Director Susan Schroeder OHHA Project Coordinator Bill Peters OHHA Regional Coordinator What is the Ohio Harness horsemen’s Association (O.H.H.A.)?
• The OHHA is a non-profit trade association of standardbred racing owners, trainers, drivers, breeders, and associated industry members established in 1953.
• The Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association provides all aspects of support and representation for its 3,700+, Active members while striving to provide a broader voice for its collective membership to increase their effectiveness in the day-to-day racing operations at Ohio's sixty-six racing fairs and four Standardbred Racinos, MGM Northfield Park, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, Miami Valley Gaming, and Eldorado Scioto Downs Racino.
• The Association provides representation, manages the business of racing, represents the collective horsemen with the Racing Commission, Legislative, and Executive Branches of Ohio Government.
• The Association provides and administers a self-funded medical healthcare plan and retirement Trust Plan, as well as fire, mortality, sulky, and liability insurance for horsemen.
• The Association also lobbies to promote and protect the horseman's interests as well as provide suggestions for proactive industry legislation in response to industry wide problems.
• In addition to representation, the Association provides information and publications; monthly newsletter publication, quarterly magazine, various directories and staking guides, which provide timely information for Ohio’s Harness Horsemen. These publications now include the Huff’s Guide. WHAT IS GAMING IN OHIO?
In 2009 Ohio legalized gaming with a 33.4% Effective Tax Rate. (Casinos straight line tax rate: 33.0% Racino straight line tax rate: 33.5%). • Casino gaming was authorized by a 52% vote on the Gaming Initiative Petition for a Constitutional Amendment. - The Constitutional Amendment authorized Casino Gaming under Article XV, Section 6. - The Casino Gaming initiative set aside 3% of the tax to support purses, breeding programs, and operations of an Ohio commercial horse racetrack. - Video Lottery Sales Agents were authorized to operate video lottery terminals under the direction of the Lottery Commission, to benefit education in the State of Ohio. The Video Lottery Sales Agent’s sales commission revenue share is from 9-11%, “to benefit breeding and racing in Ohio”. - The 9-11% revenue share is subject to initial capital expenditures by the Racino and memorialized by Final Agreement with Ohio’s Horsemen. The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association has Final Horseman’s Agreements with all Four Racinos. • Ohio’s 11 gaming properties generated $622.62M in tax revenue for the State of Ohio in 2019, a 4.9 % increase over 2018. • The racetrack VLT total gross revenue for Fiscal Year 2019 was $1.1 Billion a $71.3 Million increase over Fiscal Year 2018. The increase is credited to a fifth full year of all seven Racinos being open. Last Racino to open, Hollywood Gaming Dayton, August 22, 2014. In 2019 Ohio benefited from all eleven gaming properties in full operations for the fifth full year.
• During FY 2019, The Ohio Lottery transferred $1.15 Billion to the Ohio Education fund, an increase of $66.2M over fiscal year 2018. This represented the thirteenth consecutive year of profit growth. Of the profits realized, Net VLT Revenue increased from $330.7M to $354.6M over 2018, a 7.2% increase for Fiscal Year 2019. With this transfer, the Ohio Lottery has provided more than $24.75 billion in profits to the State of Ohio. HORSE RACING NATIONWIDE:
$15.6B in Direct Value, $21B in Added Value to the economy, more than 241,000 Direct jobs nationwide.
30 Standardbred Racetracks and more than 200 Standardbred Fair Tracks wagering $1.45B and racing for total purse money of $423M - 2019 Ohio wagering on harness racing was $147M, about 35% of the nationwide total. Ohio is home to the Nationwide Breed Registry for Standardbred Racing: The United States Trotting Association, located in Westerville, Ohio. HARNESS RACING IN OHIO:
• 4 Pari-mutuel Harness Racetracks. 66 Standardbred Racing Fairs.
Miami Valley Gaming – Monroe, Ohio Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway MGM Northfield Park – Northfield, Ohio Dayton, Ohio SCD- 90 racing days - Purse money paid $ 16,927,043.
MVR - 87 racing days - Purse money paid $ 14,365,375. Eldorado Scioto Downs – Grove City, Ohio DTN- 78 racing days - Purse money paid $ 9,382,400.
NFLD - 220 racing days - Purse money paid $ 29,443,641. 4 Fair Circuits for the 65 Fairs • Ohio Fair Racing Conference (21) • Home Talent Colt Stakes (15) • Ohio Colt Racing Association (19) • Southern Valley Colt Racing Association (10)
In 2020 there were over 2,700 horses nominated to these Fair Circuits. • There are Two Components to the Base Fair Stakes Purse Funding.
• VLT Discretionary Supplement – Private Revenue Share Supplement, March 31, 2021 Revenue Cut- Off date. – April 22, 2021 OHHA Board Review and Allocation Decision – November 30, 2021 Report due for Discretionary Component
• Ohio Fair Funds Money
– State Tax Money, R.C. 3769.082, the Ohio Fairs Fund – Apply for a Distribution by November 1st in the year prior to use. HARNESS RACING IN OHIO:
Ohio’s County Fairs raced 137 Live Days for $8,302,899 in purse money OHHA provided $5,742,450 million dollars to the OH Fair System for Racing and Related Expenses. Including $12,000 per-fair to spend on whatever their Fair needed. HARNESS RACING IN OHIO:
• With Fair Racing there were 612 Live days (475 + 137 Fairs) of standardbred racing in Ohio
• Total number of races in 2019 was: 8,214, the County Fairs hosted 1,468 races
• Total number of Ohio standardbred horse starts in 2019: 66,543 8,682 starts at the County Fairs, 57,861 starts at the four harness racetracks in Ohio. Horse Racing is a live spectator sport that relies on in-person fans. Equine Racehorses are finely tuned athletes. No spectators permitted Facebook, YouTube No racehorse owners permitted www.ohha.com/livestream We went digital www.harnessracingohio.com June 15th to October 15, 2020 digitally produced, 81 Live Fair Dates and 5 Saturday Night at the Races livestream broadcasts.
• 947,000 people reached
• 133,408 Engagements
• 318,500 Views
• 13,971 Facebook Comments
• 1,500 Facebook Shares
Viewership from 35 states and 11 Countries
2021 digital production planned for all 65 Fairs and 126 Live Fair Racing Days • Distribution of monies shall not be paid to county agricultural societies and independent agricultural societies that conduct automobile or motorcycle races on the racetrack during any year for which such distribution is requested, unless such automobile or motorcycle races are not conducted during the days and nights that horse racing is being conducted at such fair. R.C. 3769.082(C).
• Setting a “Rain Out” date is important, please make sure to include it in your Huff’s Guide Listing.
• If the races in a division cannot be contested due to unfavorable weather or other unavoidable cause, the races may be transferred to a suitable track approved by the Director of the Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Exposition Commission. – Notable are the herculean efforts many Fair Racing programs go to make sure their programs go forward! It is critical to plan ahead for a make-up day. • H.B. 665 clarifies OH Fairs Fund, RC. 3769.082, 3769.086 and 3769.0811.
• Effective date April 12, 2021 A. Gives flexibility for last-minute rescheduling of racing dates and locations in an emergency if: (1) The cause for moving the location, date, or time of the race occurs during a state of emergency declared by the Governor; or (2) The receipt of the Director’s approval is not practical. Any alternative accommodations for a race must be agreed to by the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association B. Clarifies Ohio Fairs Fund distribution and use of the Fair funds by county agricultural societies, independent agricultural societies, and the Ohio Expositions Commission. If a county or independent agricultural society or the Ohio Exposition Commission is unable to conduct an annual fair:
B. 1. A society must return the Ohio Fairs Fund money distributed by the Director to the society for general operations, horse racing; and
C. 2. The Commission must return the Ohio Fairs Fund money distributed by the Director for horse racing. • However, the society or Commission may keep the general operations and horse racing money if it cancels the annual fair because of unfavorable weather or unavoidable cause, provided that the society or Commission still conducts live horse racing. – Keep in mind that the origin of this money is tax based. There is a duty of care involved when State monies are allocated and spent in the private sector. • The private VLT Supplemental Distribution is a private sponsorship NOT state tax money. – The private VLT Supplemental Distribution for the Stake Race Purses is returned to the OHHA in the event of a cancellation, except for $200 per horse, which should be distributed in addition to the nomination and entry fees (by division) to owners of horses that had not scratched by cancellation time. Any Overnight race supplements or Special Race Grants must be returned. – The VLT Supplemental Distribution Expenditures must be reported by November 30, 2021 • Make sure you adhere to the rules when using monies from the Ohio Fairs Fund – New Chart of Accounts Coding System and Best Practices – Richard Cunningham, Senior Audit Manager, Ohio State Auditor’s Office (330) 438-0617 – The Ohio Fairs Fund Monies must be returned to the Ohio Department of Agriculture in the event of any cancellations. – Any county agricultural society or independent agricultural society which uses the moneys distributed under this section for any purpose other than that provided in this section is not eligible to receive distribution from the Ohio Fairs Fund for a period of two years after such misuse of such moneys occurs. R.C. 3769.082(G). Third Party Liability Insurance
Third Party Insurance- In Effect for Covered Members Racing at a Fair When racing at a Fair OHHA Members are covered by a Secondary Excess Coverage Insurance Policy. Covers injury or loss caused by racehorses to a “Third Party”. General Aggregate of $5M.
No longer have to be a scheduled, “Covered Facility” for this policy to be in effect at all times for OHHA Members that stable at a Fairgrounds. If the individual is a Member of the OHHA then they are a “covered member” under the OHHA policy. Non-Members are NOT covered!
Member versus Member claims are not covered. Horse Mortality Insurance
Fire-Disaster-Mortality In Effect for Covered Members Racing at a Fair When racing at a Fair OHHA Members are covered by a Secondary Excess Coverage Insurance Policy. Covers fire or the loss of a racehorse.
No longer have to be a scheduled, “Covered Facility” for this policy to be in effect at all times for OHHA Members that stable at a Fairgrounds. If the individual is a Member of the OHHA then they are a “covered member” under the OHHA policy. Non-Members are NOT covered!
On-Track Accident and Disability Insurance
ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY AND WITH INTENT TO DEFRAUD ANY INSURANCE COMPANY OR OTHER PERSON FILES A STATEMENT CONTAINING ANY MATERIALLY FALSE INFORMATION, OR CONCEALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF - When racing at a Fair OHHA Member Drivers are covered when they MISLEADING, INFORMATION CONCERNING ANY MATERIAL, THERETO, COMMITS A FRAUDULENT INSURANCE ACT, WHICH IS A CRIME. CLAIMANT COMPLETES THIS SECTION have the unfortunate circumstance of being in an accident. Date of Accident Track Name & Address - Provides coverage for medical costs and short-term disability Claimant's Name Birth Date Social Security Number Email Address insurance Address City St Zip Code Telephone Number ( Cell Number ( Occupation (Circle) Driver Trainer Driver and Trainer USTA License # Name & Address of Other Employment Describe Where & How Accident Occurred Nature of Injury Name & Address of Physician First Consulted and Other Physicians Consulted (Attach add'l sheet if needed) This information is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. Claimant's Signature Date CERTIFICATION BY TRACK OFFICIAL This is to certify that was injured on while engaged as a Claimant's Name Date of Accident . The accident occurred Trainer or Driver Explanation of Accident Print Name: Signature: Title: Date: Telephone:_( ) Fax: ( ) Page 1 of 2 Sulky Insurance Sulky Insurance Claim Form Driver Sulky Insurance in Effect for Covered Members Racing at a Fair Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Report Must Be 2237 Sonora Drive • Grove City, OH 43123 Filed Within 30 614-221-3650 • 800-353-6442 Days of Accident (Please type or print all information except signature) When racing at a Fair, OHHA Member Sulky Owners have TO BE FILLED IN BY SULKY OWNER OR OHHA FIELD REPRESENTATIVE Date of Accident ______Track ______Race Number ______Name of Horse Involved ______coverage for their sulky (excludes wheels) while racing at a LIST ALL OWNER(S) OR LESSEE(S) Current OHHA Member Circle Yes or No ______Address ______Yes No ______Address ______Yes No ______Address ______Yes No Driver of Horse ______Address ______Yes No County Fair. Sulky Owner ______Address ______Yes No Sulky Owner’s Signature X ______Read insurance conditions on reverse side before signing TO BE FILLED IN BY JUDGE OR OHHA TRACK REPRESENTATIVE Parts of Sulky Damages (describe) ______Make ______Color ______Size Description of Accident______Signature X______Judge or OHHA Track Representative TO BE FILLED IN BY REPAIR FIRM ONLY Make ______Color ______Size ______Serial Number (Must be included) List Parts to Be Replaced: $ Company Name $ Address $ City, State, Zip $ Company Phone Number $ List Labor Charge $ TOTAL ESTIMATE OF REPAIR: $ Estimator’s Signature X List Miscellaneous Materials: PLEASE NOTE $ This form must be completely filled out and name signed $ where “X” indicates before claim will be considered. List Labor Charge $ TOTAL REPAIR COST ESTIMATE: $ FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Date Received Authorized for payment by: ( ) Allowed ( ) Disallowed Final $ Date Check Mailed: Remarks: Make Check Payable to: Ohio State Racing Commission Rules of Racing OSRC Preferences Directive • By administrative rule, a Fair Board must give all horses granted stalls and eligible the opportunity to compete at the Fair, unless a waiver is granted by permission of the Ohio State Racing Commission to limit the overnight events. Events will be limited by applying a “preference date” as referred to in this letter and administrative rule 3769-15-31- (B). • Race Office shall apply date as a preference to limit the number of races they write for any one condition offered on the condition sheet. Fair Racing Waiver Letter Sample • Submit to the Ohio State Racing Commission • An appearance at a Racing Commission hearing has not been required, they are approved on a summary basis by the Executive Director and ratified by the Ohio State Racing Commission. Ohio State Racing Commission Rules of Racing - Drivers • Rule passed in 2015 still applies, Driver conduct is stringently policed by the Presiding Judge at the Fairs. • Same rules apply at the Fairs as the Pari-mutuel racetracks. Ohio State Racing Commission Rules of Racing - Drivers • Penalties for violations on Driver Conduct rules are stringent levied and enforced by the Presiding Judge. • Penalties for violations are cumulative at the Fairs and the Pari-mutuel racetracks. Ohio State Racing Commission Rules of Racing - Officials • Officials are obligated to notify Racing Officials of any conduct injurious to a horse. • Same rules apply at the Pari-mutuel Fairs as the Pari-mutuel racetracks. Ohio State Racing Commission Rules of Racing - Disease In Ohio, Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is categorized as a Dangerously Contagious or Infectious and Reportable Disease under O.A.C. 901:1-21-02. OH Department of Agriculture regulations require any equine imported into the state for Exhibition (O.A.C. 901:1-17-07) or all horses, ponies and mules moved within Ohio for exhibition (O.A.C. 901:1-18-08) shall be tested yearly for EIA and have a negative test result. If the result is positive then there are quarantine requirements outlined in the Regulations. Standardbreds are also REQUIRED by OSRC Rule to test negative for EIA and Coggins each year. USTA database lists the effective date for negative test results on their online eTrack entry system. Clerks of course or charters using the online system check this at the time of entry, the horse must have a negative test result within one year from the date the horse will race. Horses are denied entry in the box on race day if they do not have the negative test. The test is fairly routine and veterinarians can have a result returned as quickly as 24 hours. Ohio State Racing Commission Rules of Racing – Medication and Testing Adopted September 23, 2019 and December 16, 2020, the Ohio State Racing Commission adopted new Therapeutic Medication Rules. Effective Dates: January 1, 2020; and March 1, 2021 Ohio State Racing Commission Rules of Racing – Racehorse Identification In Ohio the law has been amended for horse identification, effective May 23, 2019 Governor Mike DeWine signed an Executive Order permitting the use of microchips as a means to identify racehorses—Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses—who are entered to race at any of Ohio’s seven racetracks, as well as at the Buckeye State’s county fairs. With Governor DeWine’s Executive Order racehorses can now be identified by tattoo, freeze brand or microchip. “Racetrack personnel will be equipped with microchip readers in order to facilitate the proper identification of those horses with microchips,” Mr. Crawford added. “This Executive Order will ensure that the Ohio State Racing Commission will be able to uphold the integrity of racing by identifying horses using the most updated technology,” Bill Crawford, Executive Director of the Ohio State Racing Commission acknowledged. Ohio Fair Racing Conference Ohio Fair Racing Conference Member Fairs: Attica Independent (Seneca County) Napoleon (Henry County) Berea (Cuyahoga County) Northfield (Summit County) Bowling Green (Wood County) Oak Harbor (Ottawa County) Burton (Geauga County) Painesville (Lake County) Croton (Hartford Independent) Paulding (Paulding County) Delaware (Delaware County) Richwood Independent (Union County) Hicksville (Defiance County) Tiffin (Seneca County) Marion (Marion County) Upper Sandusky (Wyandot County) Marysville (Union County) Van Wert (Van Wert County) Montpelier (Williams County) Wauseon (Fulton County) Mt. Gilead (Morrow County) Ohio Fair Racing Conference Member Fairs all Receive a Resource Guide, which includes: Timeline, Contact Database, Matching Grant Information, Promotional information, Fire and Disaster Insurance, Forms (W9, Driver-Trainer Accident Form-Third Party Liability Claim Form, Sulky Insurance Claim Form, etc.! Ohio Fair Racing Conference, six-year nomination comparison. Ohio Fair Racing Conference - Rules No changes relative to a Fair’s Operations. Entry Fees increased to accommodate the purse distribution accounting. Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Horses must race in a minimum of four Fair Fund races or Horses are not Eligible for the Ohio Fairs Championship Ohio Sires Stakes Championship Final and Consolation Horses are not Eligible for the Ohio Fairs Championship Horses with placing violations will have points deducted unless there is a final, unappealable decision on the placing violation when calculating points for Ohio Fairs Championship eligibility. THE BUCKEYE STALLION SERIES Privately Administered and Funded Ohio Stakes Series Two and Three-Year Old Stakes Series- 8 Divisions Per Leg – 5 Legs $17,500 divisional races per Leg and a $60,000 Final - Unlike OSS Races these Stakes Races are eligible to be hosted at a County Fair. Yearly Fair Application Date: October 1st. - Host Fair must able to start 8 horses either on the gate or by using trailers. - Host Fair must be willing to provide a contribution towards the total event purse per race as host. - Host Fair must race them during their fair and still continue to host Ohio Fairs Fund Races. - Host Fair must have a minimum of 32 dedicated open stalls for the day of the event. - Host Fair’s racetrack must be, “all weather” and able to be raced on when sloppy. - As a point-based Series, the races must be held. Host Fair must provide a scheduled rain-date. - Host Fair must be able to showcase these races and provide added promotion for the event. - Host Fair must provide the same medication and testing procedures in place at the pari-mutuel racetracks and chain-of-custody safeguards. Includes all post-race testing and 90 minute TCO2 testing blood draw. - Host Fair Race Dates must coincide with and be close in proximity to the Ohio Sires Stakes race events for the same gait and division. Prefer Buckeye Stallion Series dates after complimentary Sires Stakes Leg for each Division and Gait. Capital Improvement Grants Applications and Reports – 100% Matching Funds Grant Facilitate construction and fund expenses for Capital Improvements solely to, or specifically for, a Standardbred Fair Live Racing Program. The program started in 2019 is a “100% Matching Funds” Grant Program, all funds requested must be matched in their entirety. • OHHA Committee Decision made on 2021 Grants January 2021. Agreement in the mail to recipients by February 1, 2021 Report Due by November 30, 2021 • 2022 Initial Application for the Grant due by 5:00 p.m., November 30, 2021 • Capital Improvements Grant requests in 2019, 34 for $857,000. 2020 Grant requests 34 for $744,000 in Capital Improvement Projects, in 2021, 16 Grant requests for $504,629 in Capital Improvement Projects. Feature Race Grants Applications and Reports Yearly Deadlines: - November 30th Final Report Due for that year’s Grant. - November 30th Final Grant Applications Due to request funding for the following year’s Racing Grants. • OHHA Board Decision made on 2022 Feature Race Grants will occur January 15, 2022 • Feature Race Grants – Started in 2016 with 13 requests for $258,000 to 2021 with 70 race requests and $381,500 approved. • For 2020 the average “Match” by Fairs on those requests is 32% of the final purse total. The rules of receipt require a 20% ”Match”. Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association 2237 Sonora Drive Fair Deposit ACH Form – Please Update! Grove City, OH 43123 Ph.: 614-221-3650 Fax 614-221-8726 www.ohha.com Almost 100% on digital transfer to the Fairs. Funds are transferred approximately one-week prior to Fair Name on Account the scheduled fair racing days. Bank Information: Branch, Address, etc. Bank Routing Number Account Number Any additional information required unique to your financial institution. ______Signature of person authorizing the ACH transfer. Please email or fax this form back to the OHHA office. If you have any questions, please call or e-mail. Susan Schroeder Project Coordinator [email protected] Ohio State Racing Commission Ohio State Racing Commission • 77 South High Street, 18th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108 • 614-466-2757 http://www.racingohio.net/ Office Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm Executive Director: William Crawford Commissioners: Chairman Scott Borgemenke April 2019 to March 31, 2023 Commissioner Beth Hansen- April 2019 to March 31, 2023 Commissioner William W. Patmon Jr.- April 2019 to March 31, 2023 Commissioner Gregory H. Simpson- April 2017 to March 31, 2021 Commissioner Thomas R. Winters- April 2017 to March 31, 2021 Ohio Fair Racing Timeline – Note- Fair Racing Resource Guide will be available online by May 1, 2021 February 19, 2021 Return Huff’s Guide Tear Sheets to the OHHA Office March 31, 2021 OHHA internal cut-off date for revenue review on 2021 Fair Purse Supplements and Fair Support Supplements. April 1, 2021 Return OHHA Associate Membership April 1, 2021 On-Track Fair Insurance responsibility form must be returned to the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association's Office. From 2016-20, the OHHA picked up a portion of the cost for this for all racing fairs! The same proposition was approved January 16, 2021. May 1, 2021 USTA Matching Funds Grant applications due Reminder à May 1, 2021 Must submit your Pari-mutuel Fair Racing Application to the Ohio State Racing Commission for issuance of the Fair Racing Permit. Please note, if your Fair is planning on limiting overnight events being offered in any manner, and that is notated in your Huff’s Guide information returned, that you also fill out and submit a O.A.C. 3769-15-31(B)(2) waiver letter to the Ohio State Racing Commission as soon as possible in order to limit overnight events by date for all that enter. A Fair Board must give all horses granted stalls, eligible, and entered the opportunity to compete at the Fair, unless a waiver is granted by permission of the Ohio State Racing Commission to limit the overnight events. Ohio Fair Racing Timeline, continued November 30, 2021 2021 Feature Race Grant Final Report Due November 30, 2021 2022 Feature Race Grant Application Due November 30, 2021 2022 Capital Fund Improvement Applications Due, and 2021 Capital Fund Improvement Reports Due November 30, 2021 2021 VLT Discretionary Supplement Revenue Reports Due Questions ? Thank You! Managing your Harness Racing funds Funding Sources • OHHA • Department of Ag - Ohio Fair Fund • Fair Circuit • Horseman Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association • 2021 Purse Allocation - $ per division (8) $ • 2021 Racing/Expense Allocation - $ These funds may be used for overnight purses, track maint. ,barn maint. , racing officials, or other expenses • Direct Deposit 30 days before Start of Fair • Grant Races – Must complete the Grant application – $500-$5000 Ohio Dept. of Agriculture – Ohio Fair Fund • 202 General Operation – $ • 202 Track Expense and Other Harness Racing Expenses - $ • 202 Stake Racing Purses - $ per division (8) - $ • 202 Non Stake Purses – $ ( $3000 of this may be used to meet your required match of $500 per division ) Colt Stake Circuit • Monies that are collected from horse owners who have entered their horses in the various divisions • Colt Stake Support • Could include the following • Huff’s Guide • Pass reimbursement • Trophy sponsorship • Purse support Horsemen • Starting Fees – There is a starting fee that is added to the purse, this money is collected the day of race.