Turfway Increases Purses, Adds Race Per Week
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Turfway Park will increase purses effective Jan. 30 with a slight across-the-board bump and an extra race per week, officials said.
Turfway general manager Chip Bach said pari-mutuel wagering and field sizes have remained fairly solid in January after a successful December meet in which handle jumped more than 20%.
According to the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the purse for each race will increase $500, and an extra race will be carded on Sundays for the remainder of the winter/spring meet, which concludes March 29.
"We've had decent handle and field size, but we're trying to take a conservative approach," Bach said. "The total increase is close to 10%. Right now we're accruing the purse money, but we don't want to look silly in February (if wagering and horse supply are impacted)."
The meet began Jan. 1. Through the first 12 programs, field size has averaged 9.15 horses per race, according to The Jockey Club Information Systems. Handle numbers weren't immediately available.
Purses for the meet thus far have averaged $106,934 per nine-race card. Under the new schedule, 10 races will be offered Sundays if the extra race fills.