Expert: Ed Hess - 7/6/2009

Question
Standardbred trotter and pacer winning drivers earn five percent of the winning owner's 60% of the total purse for the race while thoroughbred winning jockeys earn ten percent of the winning owner's 60% of the total purse for the race.  Why the difference between the winning driver's (5%) and winning jockey's (10%) percentage of the winning owner's 60% of the total purse for race?

Answer
hi -- i am not familiar with the standardbred drivers and what they get and the standardbred owners either. i know that the jockeys always get 10% of the winning purse and the owner gets 60% of the purse. i guess it is the purse structure that makes the difference. the standardbreds do have a different purse division  then the thoroughbred people. it has always been that way since i can remember. hope this helps you. thanks ED HESS