WVBC Program Awarded $1.17M for 2016 Purses
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Photo: Coady Photo
Charitable Annuity wins 2015 WV Breeders' Classic
The West Virginia Racing Commission July 19 signed off on $1,170,000 in funding for purses for the 30th edition of the West Virginia Breeders Classics Oct. 8 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
The nine-race program for West Virginia-accredited racehorses will be highlighted by the $500,000 West Virginia Breeders' Classic for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles. Total purses for the evening program are up $90,000 from 2015.
The Breeders Classic remains the richest state-bred stakes in the United States.
The second-richest race of the program is the $150,000 West Virginia Cavada Breeders' Classic for fillies and mares at seven furlongs. There will be two $80,000 stakes, four $75,000 stakes, and one $60,000 stakes on the program.
The Classics program was founded by Sam Huff and Carol Holden and launched in 1987, one year after the inaugural Maryland Million. They still hold the contract for the event, which is funded by video lottery terminal revenue.
Holden, during the July 19 racing commission meeting, noted last year's contract had a clause that it be renewable for another three years.