Turfway to increase allowance, maiden special weight purses
Mar 11, 2014 22:04:26 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Mar 11, 2014 22:04:26 GMT -5
Turfway to increase allowance, maiden special weight purses
Turfway Park will increase purses for allowance and maiden special weight races through the end of the current meet, racing director Tyler Picklesimer announced on Wednesday.
The increases reflect Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) money available for those categories.
KTDF money already allotted to eligible races will be increased by 50 percent; for example, the previous maiden special weight purse of $20,500 included a $12,000 KTDF supplement. Going forward, the purse will be $26,500 and include an $18,000 KTDF supplement.
"Due to the unusual number of weather-related cancellations this year, we would have ended the meet with a large surplus of KTDF money," Picklesimer said. "After meeting with the KTDF Advisory Committee, we were encouraged to offer the additional KTDF funds during the current meet's remaining allowance and maiden special weight races, which are the only races to which we can add it. That will allow Kentucky-bred horses the opportunity to earn more for their owners and trainers and allow horsemen to make up some of the opportunities for income lost to this difficult winter."
"Anything we can do to make racing more lucrative at Turfway is positive," Turfway Park general manager Chip Bach said. "This decision helps mitigate the impact the winter had on our horsemen. We believe this added incentive will increase interest in the race days remaining this meet."
Turfway scheduled live racing on Fridays and Saturdays in March, with Sundays approved as optional days. The track has already used one optional day, March 2, and plans to race an additional Sunday, March 30, to close out the winter/spring meet.
Turfway Park will increase purses for allowance and maiden special weight races through the end of the current meet, racing director Tyler Picklesimer announced on Wednesday.
The increases reflect Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) money available for those categories.
KTDF money already allotted to eligible races will be increased by 50 percent; for example, the previous maiden special weight purse of $20,500 included a $12,000 KTDF supplement. Going forward, the purse will be $26,500 and include an $18,000 KTDF supplement.
"Due to the unusual number of weather-related cancellations this year, we would have ended the meet with a large surplus of KTDF money," Picklesimer said. "After meeting with the KTDF Advisory Committee, we were encouraged to offer the additional KTDF funds during the current meet's remaining allowance and maiden special weight races, which are the only races to which we can add it. That will allow Kentucky-bred horses the opportunity to earn more for their owners and trainers and allow horsemen to make up some of the opportunities for income lost to this difficult winter."
"Anything we can do to make racing more lucrative at Turfway is positive," Turfway Park general manager Chip Bach said. "This decision helps mitigate the impact the winter had on our horsemen. We believe this added incentive will increase interest in the race days remaining this meet."
Turfway scheduled live racing on Fridays and Saturdays in March, with Sundays approved as optional days. The track has already used one optional day, March 2, and plans to race an additional Sunday, March 30, to close out the winter/spring meet.