Fair Grounds to Raise Purses 10% Beginning Jan. 1
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Photo: Hodges Photography
Racing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Citing strong simulcast handle during the first three weeks of the 149th racing season, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a 10% across-the-board purse increase. The raise was planned by track officials before the start of the meet.
"We're extremely excited to announce a 10% increase to our daily purse structure," Fair Grounds racing secretary Scott Jones said. "Based on the strong early handle returns and continued support from our owners and horsemen, we are in a position to raise purses."
The purse hike goes into effect Jan. 1 with the start of the track's third condition book. Purses on allowance races will be bumped $3,000, and all other races will receive a $2,000 hike. Maiden special weight races will now be worth $50,000.
The purse increase includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races.
Fair Grounds is averaging approximately 8.3 starters a race since the meet began on Thanksgiving, ahead of last year's meet-long average of eight runners per race.