Officials have released the first condition book for the 62nd consecutive year of live Thoroughbred racing at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack, which kicks off on Monday, April 24 with a 1:15 pm first post. The 90-day season runs through Wednesday, Nov. 22. Stall Applications are still being accepted.
Racing Secretary Jerry Richards, in his second year at Finger Lakes, has added a claiming distance series to the 2023 condition book. The series is named after North Warning, the current track record holder at one mile and five-eighths. Action kicks off on June 19 and features three legs and a final, with the distance increasing with each leg.
“We're very exciting about the upcoming racing season and the North Warning series,” Racing Secretary Jerry Richards said. “Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack has a long-time history of distance racing and I'm very happy to bring back some semblance from the past.”
Leg one, to be run at one mile and seventy yards, carries a purse of $12,600 added per division, and will be run as a $5,000 claimer. The claiming price increases to $6,250 for leg two and the purse amount moves to $15,000 added. Leg two, scheduled for July 31, is to be run at one mile and an eighth. The claiming price increases again to $8,000 for leg three and will be run at the classic distance of mile and a quarter on Sept. 11. The purse(s) will grow to $20,000 for that event. The series finale is set for Oct. 23 at one mile and five and a half furlongs and will be run under starter ($8,000 or less) conditions. The purse in the finals is guaranteed at $25,000.
There is a one-time $250 nomination fee, which is due by June 7. All nomination fees will be added to the purse for legs one and two. Supplemental fees will be accepted between June 8 through July 19 and will be added to leg 3. The cost to supplement to the series is $1,000.
Horses earn their way into the final by earning points throughout the preliminary legs with four points for a win, three points for a second, two points for a third and one point for fourth. The top 12-point earners from the preliminary legs make the finals. In the event of a claim the points follow the horse.
For more information about the North Warning series, or the first 2023 Condition Book, please contact the Finger Lakes race office at 585-924-3232, ext. 271. The full first condition book can be found at: https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorsemenAreaDownloadAction.cfm?sn=CB-FL-20230424-20230524D
About Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack: In operation since 1962, the facility added gaming to its offering in 2004 and expanded again in 2013. FLGR is highlighted by over 1,100 gaming machines, the 448-seat Buffet, Remedy Bar & Lounge, as well as live and simulcast thoroughbred racing. Gaming doors open at 8 a.m. and racing doors open at 11:30 a.m. daily. Home of the $200,000 (estimated) New York Breeders' Futurity and $150,000 (added) New York Derby. For more information, visit www.fingerlakesgaming.com.
About North Warning: The Northern Jove gelding made 43 Finger Lakes starts and captured 13 wins, 7 seconds and 8 thirds in his career and currently holds the track record at one mile and five-eighths. Bred by Mrs. Henry D. Paxson, North Warning was trained by both Dan Conway, Jr. and Stephen Ubbink and won both at sprinting and running long. He broke out in 1994 when he was a seven-time winner at Finger Lakes all over a route of ground.
The post Finger Lakes Adds ‘North Warning’ Claiming Distance Series For 2023 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
