Arlington Increases Purses 20% Beginning Aug. 20

Purses at Arlington International Racecourse will be raised 20% during the middle portion of its summer meet, according to levels listed in its recently released second condition book. That period covers racing there from Aug. 20-Sept. 12.

The purse increases are across the board and raise maiden special weight races from $27,000 to $32,400. The track's lowest purse is now $11,760 for a bottom-level maiden $5,000 claiming race for Illinois-breds.

Arlington opened for its meet July 23 for an abbreviated 30-day season that was delayed by COVID-19 and later by a lingering contract dispute between track management and Illinois horsemen. The meet, staged without the Arlington Million (G1T) and Beverly D. Stakes (G1T) this year, runs through Sept. 30.

Despite the shortened season, many of Arlington's regular horsemen returned there this summer, including Larry Rivelli, who is fast on his way to another leading trainer title. Jareth Loveberry, who rode six winners Aug. 6 at the Illinois oval, is first among riders.

Through Thursday, the track had averaged 6.8 starters over the first 56 races of its meet. It is racing three days a week on a Thursday-through-Saturday schedule.

Arlington has asked the Illinois Racing Board to run 68 live racing dates in 2021, from April 26 - Sept. 30, though its long-term racing future is in peril.