Fair Grounds Raises Overnight Purses 10%, Boosts Stakes

Citing strong wagering during the first seven weeks of its meet, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots announced Jan. 9 a 10% purse increase across the board, along with $25,000 added to the purses of 10 stakes.

"We're extremely excited to announce a 10% increase to our daily purse structure along with the $25,000 boost to 10 stakes," Fair Grounds racing secretary Scott Jones said. "Based on the strong early handle returns and continued support from our owners, horsemen, and horseplayers, we are in a position to raise purses."

The 10% across-the-board purse increase will go into effect with the soon-to-be-released condition book, which begins with the Jan. 25 card. Entries are to be taken Jan. 18.  

The purse increase includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races. Maiden special weight races will now be worth $57,000. 

The seven remaining stakes listed at $75,000 have been increased to $100,000: the Louisiana Broodmare of the Year Stakes, the Louisiana Stallion of the Year Stakes, the Allen "Black Cat" Lacombe Memorial Stakes, the Black Gold, the Edward J. Johnston Memorial Stakes, the Red Camelia, and the Page Cortez Stakes.

In addition, three stakes run on Louisiana Derby Day, March 23, have been boosted by $25,000. The Tom Benson Memorial Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf route for older fillies and mares, will be run for a $150,000 purse, and both the Crescent City Derby and the Crescent City Oaks will be run for $125,000.