Fair Grounds Announces Third Purse Increase of Meet
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Photo: Hodges Photography
Horses race on turf at Fair Grounds Race Course
For the third time in its ongoing 2020-21 meet, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a 10% purse increase, effective March 11. The raise was inspired by robust simulcast handle, according to the track.
The across-the-board overnight purse increase, which includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races, goes into effect for the final 13 days of the meet, which wraps up late this month.
"Our handle has continued to be strong, and we are pleased to be able to raise purses for the third time this meet," Fair Grounds' racing secretary Scott Jones said. "We'd once again like to thank the owners, trainers, and fans who have been supporting our day-to-day racing product. $60,000 for a maiden special weight pot is a very competitive number to get to."
To make up for the weather-related Feb. 11 cancellation, Fair Grounds has also added a unique Wednesday card March 24 to its racing calendar. In addition, in order to accommodate a television broadcast of the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), first post time for the March 20 card has been pushed back to 11:20 a.m. CT.
The Louisiana Derby is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series and offers qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the top four finishers toward one of 20 spots in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).