Big Apple Bonus (rewards for owners and trainers to enter horses at Belmont Park, 2026)

The New York Racing Association began a program called “Big Apple Bonus” in September 2026, to coincide with the re-opening of the renovated Belmont Park. Owners and trainers were offered an incentive to ship or relocate a horse to Belmont Park.
 
The New York race tracks were called the “Big Apple” in the 1920s because the courses there offered the largest purses. The name “Big Apple Bonus” is historically appropriate.
 
   
Wikipedia: Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a Thoroughbred horse racetrack in Elmont, New York, United States, just east of New York City limits. It is one of the most well known racetracks in the country, as it hosts the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown. The original structure opened on May 4, 1905 and was demolished in 1963. A second grandstand opened in 1968 and was demolished in 2024. The third iteration of Belmont Park opened in September 2026.
 
Operated by the New York Racing Association (NYRA), Belmont Park is typically open for racing from late April through mid-July (known as the Spring meet), and again from mid-September through late October (the Fall meet).
   
Belmont Park
Belmont Big Apple Bonus launching in September
Patrick McKenna
May 26 2026
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the Belmont Big Apple Bonus, a new initiative created to reward owners and trainers for participating in the fall meet at the new Belmont Park.
 
Scheduled to launch with the opening of the fall meet on September 18, the Big Apple Bonus will provide up to $8,500 in awards per horse shipping or relocating to Belmont Park from other racing jurisdictions. Owners and trainers currently based at NYRA are fully eligible for these bonuses, which complement the record overnight purses to be offered during the fall meet.
 
“Combining the richest fall purses in NYRA history with targeted incentives like the Big Apple Bonus will position owners and trainers for success at the new Belmont Park,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA SVP for Racing & Operations. “Our goal is to create important and accessible racing opportunities for those who choose to race in New York. We look forward to opening a re-imagined Belmont Park in September.”
     
X/Twitter
NYRA (🌳)
@TheNYRA
🍏 Announcing the Big Apple Bonus, a new initiative to reward participation in the fall meet at the new #BelmontPark! 
Horses shipping or relocating to Belmont Park from other racing jurisdictions can earn up to $8,500 in awards ⤵️
From nyra.com
2:24 PM · May 26, 2026
 
X/Twitter
TDN
@theTDN
🍎 The Belmont Big Apple Bonus, a new initiative created to reward owners’ participation at the new Belmont Park, will kick off in September.
@TheNYRA
The bonus will provide up to $8,500 in awards per horse shipping or relocating to Belmont Park.
From thoroughbreddailynews.com
2:56 PM · May 26, 2026
 
BllodHorse
Bonus to Benefit Horsemen Who Support Belmont Fall Meet
Those who ship horses to Belmont Park will be eligible for extra money.
Edited Press Release
NYRA Release Date: May 26, 2026
The New York Racing Association announced May 26 the Belmont Big Apple Bonus, a new initiative created to reward owners and trainers for participating in the fall meet at the new Belmont Park.
 
Scheduled to launch with the Sept. 18 opening of the fall meet, the Big Apple Bonus will provide up to $8,500 in awards per horse shipping or relocating to Belmont Park from other racing jurisdictions. Owners and trainers currently based at NYRA are fully eligible for these bonuses, which complement the record overnight purses to be offered during the fall meet.