Churchill announces second purse increase

For the second time in a week's period, Churchill Downs will raise overnight

purses because of higher than expected all-sources wagering levels. Effective

immediately, overnight race purses will be increased 20 percent for the final

eight days of the fall meet, which concludes its 21-day run on November 28.

On November 12, Churchill Downs announced that overnight race purses would

jump 6.3 percent for the final 10 days of the season.

Purses for the final 83 scheduled overnight races -- which include allowance,

maiden special weight, claiming and maiden claiming events -- will rise from the

announced prize money in the condition book by an approximate blended average of

$6,600 per race.

The revised projection for total overnight purses awarded at the meet is $6.8

million, up from the original forecast of $6.2 million at the start of the

season. The daily average purse distribution (not including the November 5-6

Breeders' Cup programs) will be approximately $459,000 per day.

"We've been fortunate to have good weather and full, competitive fields

during our boutique, four-week fall meet, which has limited competition from

other racetracks during the fall," said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill

Downs. "Also, some of our high-level allowance and claiming races for our

top-tier horses have not filled and were not used, which means there's more

money available to distribute.

"We're thrilled that horse racing fans have responded to our product through

strong all-sources wagering, and that our owners, trainers, jockeys and breeders

will benefit from a 20-percent increase in prize money over the final stretch of

our season.

"As we've said before, these positive purse adjustments aren't long-term

solutions to the problems we continue to face in Kentucky's signature horse

racing industry. Purses remain well shy of their highest levels of recent years,

and Kentucky still isn't on a level playing field with states whose racetracks

have an immense competitive advantage by having their purses fueled by slot

machine and casino revenues."