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Finger Lakes Boosts Purses 15 Percent, Reinstitutes Full Stakes Schedule For 2021 Season

Thoroughbred racing returns Monday afternoon to Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR), with a first race post time of 1:10 pm.

Officials recently announced a 15 percent increase in overnight purses for the 2021 meet and the reinstituting of a full stakes schedule. The increase comes after gaming operations were permitted by New York State to resume a 20-hour business day after several months of reduced operating hours. The gaming facility at Finger Lakes, closed for nearly six months last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened in September, but operated with reduced hours of operation from November through early April.

Average daily purses are projected to increase approximately $18,000 per day as a result.

“As our business continues returning to normal, we are pleased to put this purse increase in place to benefit our horsemen and women who have struggled like so many during this past year, while sustaining our racing program post-pandemic,” said FLGR general manager Chris Riegle.

Finger Lakes Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (FLHBPA) president Chris Vaccaro added: “Coming off of a year with so much uncertainty and difficulty, this increase signals the start of a positive road forward for our membership as we work together to strengthen racing at Finger Lakes now and for the future.”

The 101-day season schedule will begin with no fans in attendance, just as the entire shortened 2020 season took place. A recent announcement by the state that fans will be able to return to racetracks in limited capacity numbers could spell changes to that policy in the near future, however.

“We look forward to reviewing specific guidance from the state on reopening protocols with fans in attendance so that we can soon welcome back many of our loyal patrons who enjoy a day at the races,” added Riegle.

While fans await to return to the races, they may view all of the action streaming online in several ways, including the FLGR YouTube channel, as well as fingerlakesbonusbets.com where they can wager as well.

After opening today, Finger Lakes will resume racing on Monday, May 3 with three-day race weeks that run Monday through Wednesday until the week after Labor Day. Thursday will be added to the weekly schedule at that point until the conclusion of the meet on Wednesday, Nov. 24. First race post time will be 1:10 p.m. daily through Nov/ 4. To accommodate the end of daylight saving time, post time will move to 12:15pm as of Nov. 8.

The 2021 stakes schedule features 13 events headlined by the 50th running of the $150,000 New York Derby for top New York-bred 3-year-olds on July 19 and The New York Breeders' Futurity on Oct. 18 for New York-bred 2-year-olds with an estimated offering of $200,000. Precursors to the Futurity include the Lady Finger and Aspirant Stakes on Sept. 27, both with estimated purses of $100,000. The stakes season begins with the $50,000 George W. Barker Stakes on June 21.

About Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack: In operation since 1962, the facility added gaming to its offerings in 2004. Nearly two million visit annually. Gaming Floor open 8am – 4am, daily. Those interested in stabling at Finger Lakes are encouraged to visit fingerlakesgaming.com/racing/horsemen to learn more about the many amenities, incentives and advantages offered for horsemen and women.

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Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet Stakes Schedule Worth Record $13.44 Million

Led by America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 1, Churchill Downs will present 40 stakes races cumulatively worth a record $13.44 million during its 38-day Spring Meet that runs April 24-June 26.

Derby Week (April 24-May 1) kicks off the nine-week 147^th Spring Meet in style with 18 stakes events that total a record $10.14 million over the six-day stretch, culminating with the 147^th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) for 3-year-olds at 1 ¼ miles.

Half of the 14 races on Derby Day are stakes races, including four Grade 1 events: the Derby; $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic; $500,000 Churchill Downs presented by Ford and $500,000 Derby City Distaff. There also will be a trio of Grade 2 events: the $500,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile; $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU; and $500,000 American Turf.

One day earlier, Churchill Downs will host the Derby's female counterpart, the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at 1 1/8 miles – the nation's most lucrative race for 3-year-old fillies. The six stakes that day total $3 million: the Oaks; $500,000 La Troienne (G1); $400,000 Alysheba (G2); $300,000 Eight Belles presented by Smithfield (G2); $300,000 Edgewood (G2); and $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco (G2).

Derby Week stakes action that precedes Oaks and Derby days includes the $125,000 William Walker on Opening Night, Saturday, April 24; the newly-renamed $120,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes on Champions Day, Tuesday, April 27, which honors the legendary African-American who was a three-time Derby winner and arguably the greatest jockey American racing has ever known; $125,000 Kentucky Juvenile on Wednesday, April 28; and the $150,000 Unbridled Sidney and $120,000 Opening Verse Overnight Night Stakes on Thurby, Thursday, April 29.

After Derby Week, there will be 22 stakes worth a total of $3.3 million.

Stephen Foster Preview Day is Saturday, May 29 with seven stakes that total $825,000: the $125,000 Matt Winn (G3); $125,000 Regret (G3); $125,000 Aristides (Listed); $125,000 Blame; $125,000 Shawnee; $100,000 Audubon; and $100,000 Douglas Park Overnight Stakes.

The $600,000 Stephen Foster (G2), which annually attracts some of the nation's top older horses, is situated on closing day, Saturday, June 26, for a second consecutive year. The 1 1/8-mile race anchors a seven-race stakes bonanza that totals $1.6 million and includes the $250,000 Fleur de Lis (G2) for fillies and mares and $250,000 Wise Dan (G2) for turf horses.

The lucrative prize money is attributed to returns from historical horse racing at Derby City Gaming, Churchill Downs Incorporated's $65 million facility that opened September 2018 at nearby 4520 Poplar Level Road.

The first condition book of scheduled races features $106,000 maiden races on Derby Week and $91,000 maiden races after Derby. The Churchill Downs stable area reopens Tuesday, March 16, and the first day of training is Friday, March 19.

2021 CHURCHILL DOWNS SPRING MEET STAKES SCHEDULE

Date	Running	Grade	Purse	Race	Conditions	Distance	Surface
Saturday, April 24	6^th	Listed	$125,000	William Walker	3yo	5 ½ F	Turf
Tuesday, April 27	3^rd		$120,000	Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes	4&up	1 ½ M	Dirt
Wednesday, April 28	27^th		$125,000	Kentucky Juvenile	2yo	5 F	Dirt
Thursday, April 29	11^th		$150,000	Unbridled Sidney	3&up, f&m	5 ½ F	Turf
Thursday, April 29	16^th		$120,000	Opening Verse Overnight Stakes	4&up	1 M	Turf
Friday, April 30	147^th	I	$1,250,000	Longines Kentucky Oaks	3yo f	1 1/8 M	Dirt
Friday, April 30	36^th	I	$500,000	La Troienne	4&up, f&m	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Friday, April 30	18^th	II	$400,000	Alysheba	4&up	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Friday, April 30	66^th	II	$300,000	Eight Belles presented by Smithfield	3yo f	7 F	Dirt
Friday, April 30	37^th	II	$300,000	Edgewood	3yo f	1 1/16 M	Turf
Friday, April 30	27^th	II	$250,000	Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco	3&up	5 ½ F	Turf
Saturday, May 1	147^th	I	$3,000,000	Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve	3yo	1 ¼ M	Dirt
Saturday, May 1	35^th	I	$1,000,000	Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic	4&up	1 1/8 M	Turf
Saturday, May 1	86^th	I	$500,000	Churchill Downs presented by Ford	4&up	7 F	Dirt
Saturday, May 1	35^th	I	$500,000	Derby City Distaff	4&up, f&m	7 F	Dirt
Saturday, May 1	36^th	II	$500,000	Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile	4&up, f&m	1 M	Turf
Saturday, May 1	97^th	II	$500,000	Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU	3yo	1 M	Dirt
Saturday, May 1	30^th	II	$500,000	American Turf	3yo	1 1/16 M	Turf
Saturday, May 8	2^nd		$100,000	Mamzelle Overnight Stakes	3yo f	5 F	Turf
Saturday, May 15	84^th	III	$125,000	Louisville	4&up	1 ½ M	Turf
Saturday, May 22	18^th	III	$125,000	Winning Colors	4&up, f&m	6 F	Dirt
Saturday, May 22	8^th		$100,000	Keertana Overnight Stakes	4&up, f&m	1 ½ M	Turf
Saturday, May 29	24^th	III	$125,000	Matt Winn	3yo	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Saturday, May 29	52^nd	III	$125,000	Regret	3yo f	1 1/8 M	Turf
Saturday, May 29	33^rd	Listed	$125,000	Aristides	4&up	6 F	Dirt
Saturday, May 29	2^nd		$125,000	Blame	4&up	1 1/8 M	Dirt
Saturday, May 29	2^nd		$125,000	Shawnee	4&up, f&m	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Saturday, May 29	2^nd		$100,000	Audubon	3yo	1 1/8 M	Turf
Saturday, May 29	1^st		$100,000	Douglas Park Overnight Stakes	4&up	1 1/16 M	Turf
Saturday, June 5	5^th		$100,000	Mighty Beau Overnight Stakes	3&up	5 F	Turf
Saturday, June 12	45^th	III	$125,000	Old Forester Mint Julep	4&up, f&m	1 1/16 M	Turf
Saturday, June 19	11^th		$100,000	Roxelana Overnight Stakes	3&up, f&m	6 ½ F	Dirt
Friday, June 25	11^th		$100,000	Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes	3&up	7 F	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	40^th	II	$600,000	Stephen Foster	4&up	1 1/8 M	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	46^th	II	$250,000	Fleur de Lis	4&up, f&m	1 1/8 M	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	32^nd	II	$250,000	Wise Dan	4&up	1 1/16 M	Turf
Saturday, June 26	120^th	III	$125,000	Bashford Manor	2yo	6 F	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	120^th	Listed	$125,000	Debutante	2yo f	6 F	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	2^nd		$125,000	War Chant	3yo	1 M	Turf
Saturday, June 26	2^nd		$125,000	Tepin	3yo f	1 M	Turf

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Monmouth Park Announces Stakes Schedule Worth $6.15 Million

Led by the Grade 1, $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes, Monmouth Park is set to offer $6,150,000 in stakes races when the track kicks off its 76th season on Friday, May 28.

This year's race meet, which runs through Sept. 26, will feature 46 total stakes, 10 graded events, and 10 stakes restricted to New Jersey-bred horses.

Last year's Haskell Day saw Horse of the Year Authentic capture New Jersey's most prestigious race en route to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic, earning the $1 million BetMakers bonanza by capturing all three events. This year's Haskell Day will once again feature six stakes races, including Monmouth Park's other Grade 1 event, the United Nations Stakes, which will have a purse boost from $300,000 to $500,000.

The 19th annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival, with three stakes events, will be renewed on Aug. 29, with the $125,000 Charles Hesse III Handicap headlining that card.

Stall applications, which are due by March 31, are now available online at www.monmouthpark.com or in hard copy format in the Monmouth Park racing office.

The entire 2021 stakes schedule is:

Run Date	Stakes Name		Purse	Division	Distance

28-May-21	Jersey Derby		$100,000	3 YO	1 mile (Turf)
29-May-21	Mr. Prospector Stakes	Listed	$100,000	3 and up	6 furlongs
30-May-21	Politely Stakes		$75,000	F & M 3 and up	5 furlongs (Turf)
31-May-21	Spruce Fir Handicap	NJ Breds	$75,000	F & M 3 and up	6 furlongs
5-Jun-21	Monmouth Stakes	G3	$150,000	3 and up	1 1/8 miles (Turf)
6-Jun-21	Lady's Secret Stakes	Listed	$100,000	F & M 3 and up	1 1/16 miles
12-Jun-21	Salvator Mile	G3	$150,000	3 and up	1 mile
13-Jun-21	TVG.com Pegasus Stakes	Listed	$150,000	3 YO	1 1/16 miles
19-Jun-21	Get Serious Stakes		$75,000	3 and up	5 furlongs (Turf)
20-Jun-21	Eatontown Stakes	G3	$150,000	F & M 3 and up	1 1/16 miles (Turf)
26-Jun-21	Boiling Springs Stakes		$75,000	3 YO Fillies	1 1/16 miles (Turf)
27-Jun-21	Smart N Classy Handicap	NJ Breds	$75,000	F & M 3 and up	1 Mile
3-Jul-21	Regret Stakes		$75,000	F & M 3 and up	6 furlongs
4-Jul-21	John J. Reilly Handicap	NJ Breds	$75,000	3 and up	6 furlongs
10-Jul-21	Blue Sparkler Stakes		$75,000	3 YO Fillies	5 1/2 furlongs (Turf)
11-Jul-21	My Frenchman Stakes		$75,000	3 YO	5 1/2 furlongs (Turf)
17-Jul-21	TVG.com Haskell Stakes	G1	$1,000,000	3 YO	1 1/8 miles
17-Jul-21	United Nations Stakes	G1	$500,000	3 and up	1 3/8 miles (Turf)
17-Jul-21	Monmouth Cup	G3	$300,000	3 and up	1 1/8 miles
17-Jul-21	Molly Pitcher Stakes	G3	$250,000	F & M 3 and up	1 1/16 miles
17-Jul-21	WinStar Matchmaker Stakes	G3	$150,000	F & M 3 and up	1 1/8 miles (Turf)
17-Jul-21	Wolf Hill Stakes		$75,000	3 and up	5 1/2 furlongs (Turf)
18-Jul-21	Jersey Girl Handicap	NJ Breds	$75,000	F & M 3 and up	1 mile (Turf)
24-Jul-21	Irish War Cry Handicap	NJ Breds	$75,000	3 and up	1 mile (Turf)
25-Jul-21	Tale of the Cat Stakes		$75,000	3 YO	1 1/16 miles (Turf)
31-Jul-21	Monmouth Oaks	G3	$200,000	3 YO Fillies	1 1/16 miles
1-Aug-21	Colleen Stakes		$75,000	2 YO Fillies	5 furlongs (Turf)
7-Aug-21	Tyro Stakes		$75,000	2 YO	5 furlongs (Turf)
8-Aug-21	Oceanport Stakes	Listed	$100,000	3 and up	1 1/16 miles (Turf)
14-Aug-21	Incredible Revenge Stakes		$75,000	F & M 3 and up	5 1/2 furlongs (Turf)
15-Aug-21	Jersey Shore Stakes		$75,000	3 YO	6 furlongs
21-Aug-21	Philip H. Iselin Stakes	G3	$200,000	3 and up	1 1/16 miles
22-Aug-21	Rainbow Heir Stakes		$75,000	3 and up	5 1/2 furlongs (Turf)
28-Aug-21	Miss Liberty Stakes	Listed	$100,000	F & M 3 and up	1 1/16 miles (Turf)
29-Aug-21	Charles Hesse III Handicap	NJ Breds	$125,000	3 and up	1 1/16 miles
29-Aug-21	NJ Breeders Handicap	NJ Breds	$100,000	3 and up	6 furlongs
29-Aug-21	Eleven North Handicap	NJ Breds	$100,000	F & M 3 and up	6 furlongs
4-Sep-21	Red Bank Stakes	Listed	$100,000	3 and up	1 mile (Turf)
5-Sep-21	Sapling Stakes		$100,000	2 YO	1 mile
6-Sep-21	Sorority Stakes		$100,000	2 YO Fillies	1 mile
11-Sep-21	Rumson Stakes		$75,000	3 and up	5 furlongs
12-Sep-21	Presious Passion Stakes		$75,000	3 and up	1 1/2 miles (Turf)
18-Sep-21	Pinot Grigio Stakes	NJ Breds	$75,000	F & M 3 and up	5 furlongs (Turf)
19-Sep-21	Joey P. Handicap	NJ Breds	$75,000	3 and up	5 furlongs (Turf)
25-Sep-21	Violet Stakes	Listed	$100,000	F & M 3 and up	1 1/16 miles (Turf)
26-Sep-21	Smoke Glacken Stakes		$75,000	2 YO	6 furlongs

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Jockey Club Gold Cup, Flower Bowl Both Moved To Saratoga Meet

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the stakes schedule for the 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses. The summer meet will open on Thursday, July 15, and conclude on Monday, Sept. 6.

Earlier this month, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that live sports and entertainment venues with a minimum reserved seating capacity of 10,000 will be permitted to re-open to a limited number of spectators beginning on Feb. 23 with approval from the New York State Department of Health. All attendees must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event and adhere to health and safety requirements, including mandatory facial coverings and social distancing.

NYRA will continue to closely monitor New York State-issued regulations to determine how they impact Saratoga Race Course. Additional details on fan attendance and tickets for the 2021 summer meet will be provided as information becomes available.

The 2021 summer meet, which will offer at least one stakes race every live racing day, will be highlighted by the 152nd renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 28 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Aug. 7, as the anchors of two of the most prestigious racing days in North America.

The Saratoga meet will also include the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Grade 1, $600,000 Flower Bowl, both previously run during the fall meet at Belmont Park.

Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

Whitney Day will feature three Grade 1 events, led by the Whitney at 1 1/8 miles offering an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

Completing the trio of Grade 1s on Whitney Day will be the $500,000 Longines Test for sophomore fillies and the $1 million Saratoga Derby Invitational, the second jewel of the Turf Triple series for sophomore males in its first running with Grade 1 status. Whitney Day will also include the Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls for older fillies and mares on turf, and the $120,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure.

Whitney weekend kicks off Aug. 6, with the Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame for sophomore turf milers; the Grade 3, $200,000 Troy, presented by Horse Racing Ireland, for 4-year-olds and up going 5 ½ furlongs on the turf; and the $120,000 Alydar at nine furlongs for older horses.

Whitney weekend concludes on Aug. 8, with three stakes highlighted by the upgraded Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational, the second leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies. The August 8 card will also include the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies, and the $120,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose at one mile on turf for older fillies and mares.

New York-breds will take center stage on Friday, Aug. 27, for New York Showcase Day, featuring six stakes for state-breds worth a combined $1.15 million. The lucrative card is headlined by the $250,000 Albany, a nine-furlong test for sophomores. Also featured are a trio of $200,000 stakes in the Fleet Indian for sophomore fillies; the Funny Cide, presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, for juvenile sprinters; and the Seeking the Ante for juvenile filly sprinters. Rounding out a special Empire State-bred slate are a pair of $150,000 turf events with the West Point Handicap presented by Trustco Bank for 3-year-olds and up and the Yaddo for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

The 152nd edition of the Travers is the centerpiece of a blockbuster day of racing on Saturday, Aug. 28. The 2021 Travers Day card will include seven stakes, including six Grade 1 events, offering $4.6 million in total purse money with automatic berths in the Breeders' Cup to the winner of the Grade 1, $750,000 Sword Dancer [Turf], the Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign [Distaff], and the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina [Filly & Mare Sprint].

In addition, the Travers Day card will also include the Grade 1, $600,000 Forego, a seven-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and upward, and the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs. Rounding out the signature day at the Spa is the Grade 2, $400,000 Ballston Spa for turf fillies and mares.

The traditional local prep for the Travers, the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy, will be held on Saturday, July 31. It will be joined by the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up, and the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green at 1 3/8 miles on the turf. Closing out Jim Dandy weekend on Aug. 1 is the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam for 3-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs.

Additional upgraded races for the Saratoga summer meet include the previously listed Grade 3, $200,000 Caress, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for older fillies and mares slated for Saturday, July 24, in addition to 20 stakes receiving a $20,000 boost to offer a $120,000 purse.

Opening Day, Thursday, July 15, will begin with a pair of graded stakes: the Grade 3, $150,000 Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies and the Grade 3, $120,000 Quick Call for 3-year-olds going 5 ½ furlongs on the grass.

Saratoga's first Grade 1 of 2021 is the $500,000 Diana for turf fillies and mares on Saturday, July 17. The following Saturday, July 24, will see the Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks take center stage.

Among the other 20 Grade 1 races at the Spa will be the $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial on July 29, and the $150,000 New York Turf Writers Cup on Aug. 26 for steeplechasers; the $600,000 Alabama on Saturday, Aug. 21; and the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap, a Breeders' Cup qualifier for the Mile, on Saturday, Aug. 14, to be held on the same card as the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special presented by Miller Lite.

Closing Weekend of the Saratoga meet will feature a pair of Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Win and You're In events previously held in the fall at Belmont Park with the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup [Classic] at 10 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, and the $600,000 Flower Bowl [Filly and Mare Turf], an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares, to anchor a Saturday, Sept. 4 card that also includes the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress and the Grade 3, $300,000 Saranac.

To accommodate the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Flower Bowl, the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward and the Grade 3, $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya will move from Saratoga to the Belmont fall meet.

On Sept. 5, 2-year-old fillies will sprint seven furlongs in the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway.

Closing Day on Monday, Sept. 6, will feature the Grade 2, $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap as well as the prestigious Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs to conclude the 153rd Saratoga meeting.

Beginning in 2021, the use of Furosemide (Lasix) is prohibited within 48 hours of all stakes races conducted at NYRA tracks.

To view the complete stakes schedule for the 2021 summer meet, visit NYRA.com/stakes.

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