How Much an Owner Makes

The purse is the prize money for each race that the horses and their owners compete for. Typically, 

the top five horses in a race earn the following percent :

50 percent to the winner

25 percent to second place

12 percent to third place

8 percent to fourth place

5 percent to fifth place

So if a race has a $10000 purse the winner gets $5000 (50%) second gets $2500 (25%), 3rd gets $1200 (12%), fourth gets $800 (8%) and fifth gets $500 (5%). Winning a race during a month will pay the bills for the month. Even getting a few 3rds or fourths can be profitable. Out of these amounts, the track will automatically deduct the 5% driver fee, the 5% trainer fee and the the starting fee, and the owner will receive a check for the net balance.