BISMARCK - Responding to a jockey shortage at small upper Midwest racetracks, the state Racing Commission on Thursday set aside $4,100 to lure them to the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo.
Fargo's 2006 season starts July 28 and runs on weekends through Labor Day, followed by one weekend of harness racing.
Les Schmidt, North Dakota Horse Park track manager, asked commissioners to match the track's $4,100 jockey incentive fund. Commissioners allocated the money from its promotion fund.
Last weekend, seven horses at the Fort Pierre, S.D., track did not run in races in which they were entered because of a lack of jockeys, Schmidt said.
At the Aberdeen, S.D., track Sunday, seven jockeys were available, some with little experience and one who weighed 138 pounds, he said. One had no experience.
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"They pulled him out of the stands and gave him a license and made him a jockey," Schmidt said.
There are fewer jockeys in the U.S. because "we're all getting too big," he said. Foreign jockeys who come to the U.S. don't gravitate to Dakota tracks because they don't know of them, he said.
Schmidt said horsemen he talked to in Aberdeen last weekend asked whether there would be enough jockeys if they come to Fargo.
To qualify for portions of the $8,200, jockeys must ride in at least 15 of Fargo's 19 race days. To attract experienced jockeys, bonuses will be bigger for those who ride horses that win, place or show.
The track and commission have created jockey incentives in other years, but not as large.
In other business, the commission rejected Schmidt's request for a racehorse owner's license, which would allow him to enter horses in Fargo and Belcourt races.
Commissioner Tom Secrest of Hettinger said it's a conflict of interest or - just as bad - creates the appearance of a conflict of interest.
"You're looking for trouble," he said.
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The decision also applies to Chippewa Downs Track Manager Doug Demontigny. Schmidt and Commissioner Jim Clement of Mandan protested the decision because it means Schmidt is barred from Fargo and Belcourt races.
"When I asked the question, I didn't know I wasn't going to run in North Dakota at all," Schmidt said.
Clement voted against the motion.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Janell Cole at (701) 224-0830
