Kentucky Downs will increase purses 8% in non-stakes races for the upcoming September meet from what was announced previously in the condition book. Maiden special weights for Kentucky-breds will now have purses of $135,000; first-level allowances are set at $145,800; and second-level allowances at $156,600. The increase applies to every non-stakes race at the meet except the four starter-allowances carrying $100,000 purses as qualifiers for the Claiming Crown later this year at Gulfstream Park.
“Not everybody has stakes horses, and Kentucky Downs gives those owners an opportunity to run for as much money as some stakes offer,” said Ted Nicholson, vice president of racing at Kentucky Downs. “We know much of the money earned will be reinvested in the industry, starting at the horse auctions in Lexington that come right after our meet. Money attracts horses, and horses mean jobs. Every horse that comes to Kentucky Downs to race is a benefit to area businesses, including hotels and restaurants.”
Kentucky Downs operates a turf-only meet, which will be held Sept. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12. Overall purses will total $15,259,400, which includes $10 million for 16 stakes races. Overnight races are scheduled to average $876,000 a day.
The additional funds for overnight races are split evenly between association money and purse supplements from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF). The additional Kentucky-bred purse supplements were approved last week by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's KTDF advisory committee.
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