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Thoroughbred Times

Posted: Friday, May 09, 2008 6:57 PM

Calder cuts purses for eight stakes


Calder Race Course has cut purses for eight stakes races on its schedule, track officials said on Friday.

The purse cuts come in the wake of mutuel handle declines resulting from the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association’s refusal to approve the distribution of the Miami Gardens, Florida, track’s races to out-of-state wagering outlets, including advanced deposit wagering companies.

The announcement follows a 30% purse cut that went into effect on April 27.

“We continue to be disheartened that the Florida horsemen are blocking out-of-state wagering on Calder’s races and, although we regret having to implement further purse cuts, it is a move that must be made in light of our current business situation,” said Steve Sexton, executive vice president of Churchill Downs Inc., Calder’s parent company.

Two $100,000 races—the Memorial Day Handicap (G3) on May 26 and the Mecke Handicap on July 4—will now feature purse values of $36,000 apiece.

Purses for six stakes races on the Summit of Speed card on July 12 have also been cut. Two races worth $500,000 apiece—the Princess Rooney (G1) and Smile Sprint (G2) Handicaps—will now be worth $400,000 apiece.

Purses for the Azalea (G3) and Carry Back (G2) Stakes will be $250,000 apiece, a $50,000 decrease. Two additional $100,000 races that will be contested on the Summit of Speed card—the J J’s Dream and the Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes—will also feature $36,000 purses.

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