Workers Comp Policy Renewed

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (July 27, 2012) -- The California Thoroughbred Business League (CTBL) has renewed its agreement for a statewide workers' compensation program with Finish Line Self Insurance Group (FSLIG).  The program renewal became effective July 1, 2012. Unfortunately, due to higher workers’ compensation costs and a continuing decline in the pool of available subsidy funding, the new program will have changes to Jockey Mount premiums as described below. However, Starter Fees have not been reduced.

Finish Line has been in operation for seven years serving Quarter Horse horsemen, and has handled workers’ compensation for the Thoroughbred horsemen for the past year. Owners having workers’ comp insurance questions concerning the FSLIG Workers’ Compensation program may call (714) 820-2743.

The CTBL – composed of racing associations, horsemen's organizations, and fairs – oversees funds intended to provide relief to owners and trainers in three ways:
1. A subsidy for trainers’ backstretch workers' compensation;
2. A subsidy for jockey mount workers’ compensation;
3. A Starter Fee to owners of horses competing in overnight races, which finish sixth and beyond (and to fifth place finishers when their share of purse money is less than the corresponding Starter Fee).

Unfortunately, workers’ compensation costs have risen and the estimated pool of available subsidy funds has declined considerably since 2008.  Consequently, the CTBL has made the following change effective July 1, 2012:

Jockey Mount Workers’ Compensation Fee – The jockey mount insurance premium increased $35 to $175 per mount.  CTBL is subsidizing $70 per mount, or a 40% subsidy. The result is that owners will pay a net rate of $105, which is up from $90 currently. As in the past, this fee is automatically deducted from your horseman’s account. In the South, this will apply to all races beginning with the Del Mar Meeting on July 18 2012. In the North, the change will be effective with the opening of the Golden Gate Meeting on August 17, 2012. The subsidy will make up the difference prior to these respective dates.

Starter Fees – Owners of horses competing in overnight races will not see a deduction in the amount they receive. Horses which finish sixth and beyond (and to fifth place finishers when their share of purse money is less than the corresponding Starter Fee) shall continue to be paid as follows:
$350 per start in the South;
$260 per start in the North; and,
$130 per start at the Fairs on days when not overlapped with a “major” meet in their zone.