Charles Town Classic to Offer $1 Million Purse in 2019

The West Virginia Racing Commission Dec. 13 approved a 2019 stakes schedule for Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races that includes a reduced purse for the Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2). 

Thursday's unanimous vote differed from approval of the track's 2018 stakes schedule, when racing commissioners initially balked at the $1.2 million purse of the 2018 Charles Town Classic (G2) before relenting in February.

This year, Charles Town Races requested a $1 million purse for the 2019 Charles Town Classic, a 16.7% reduction from 2018. The WVRC voted 3-0 to approve the track's 2019 non-restricted stakes schedule. The Charles Town Classic will be run April 20, 2019.

"We did listen to some of what was said last year, and seeing that nobody really wanted to go through that again, we did what we could to spread a little of the money to those other stakes without taking so much away from the Charles Town Classic that it would prevent it from accomplishing what we'd like it to accomplish," said Erich Zimny, Charles Town's vice president of racing and sports operations. "We're obviously pleased and want to thank both the racing commission and horsemen for allowing this to be a much smoother process, and now we can get to work on putting together the elements of a good event."

Last year, commissioner Ken Lowe Jr. opposed the $1.2 million Charles Town Classic purse and in January made a motion to approve a $300,000 purse for the race, suggesting money would be better spent on a series of $100,000 stakes races that would keep more money in the state.

Track officials emphasized that a seven-figure purse is needed for the Charles Town Classic to attract top horses and interest. They said the approach has generated a big day of wagering that also has sparked tourism in the state, and that the increased attention has helped improve pari-mutuel handle throughout the year.

In February, BloodHorse researched some relevant numbers and found that since 2008, the year before the Charles Town Classic was added, handle at Charles Town was up 2.4% to $190.04 million in 2017. This handle increase occurred despite a 47% reduction in total races—2,018 to 1,369—from 2008-17. Pari-mutuel wagering per race in 2017, at $138,790, was up 50.9% from 2008. 

On Thursday, Lowe expressed some continuing reservations about the $1 million purse, as did commissioner Anthony Figaretti, but both approved the stakes schedule.

After being run for $500,000 in 2009, the Charles Town Classic offered a $1 million purse from 2010-12, $1.5 million from 2013-15, $1.25 million from 2016-17, and $1.2 million in 2018. 

The 2018 Charles Town Classic was won by Stronach Stables' Something Awesome. Grade 1-winning favorite Diversify struggled and finished last.