Purses cut on eight Calder stakes

Calder Race Course announced on Friday that due to the Florida Horsemen's

Benevolent and Protective Association's (FHBPA) continued refusal to approve the

distribution of Calder races to out-of-state wagering outlets, including

advance-deposit wagering (ADW) companies, the racetrack has been forced to cut

purses for eight upcoming stakes races, including the six on the July 12 Summit

of Speed card.

The $100,000 Memorial Day H. (G3) on May 26 has been reduced to an overnight

stakes with a value of $36,000, as has the $100,000 Mecke H. on July 4.

Purses for the six stakes races on the July 12 Summit of Speed program have

been reduced as follows: the $500,000 Princess Rooney H. (G1) down to $400,000;

the $500,000 Smile Sprint H. (G2) down to $400,000; the $300,000 Azalea S. (G3)

down to $250,000; the $300,000 Carry Back S. (G2) down to $250,000; the $100,000

J J's Dream S. down to $36,000; and the $100,000 Frank Gomez Memorial S. down to

$36,000.

Friday's announcement follows a 30 percent 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.

"Both the Florida horsemen and Calder continue to lose handle daily, and

customers who enjoy wagering on Calder races are being unjustly penalized as a

result of this situation," he continued. "We continue to hope that the Florida

horsemen will reconsider their stance of not discussing a purse contract until a

slots agreement is reached, despite the fact no slots will be operational in

2008. Unfortunately, if this impasse continues we will have to make some

difficult decisions regarding additional reductions to the overnight purses, as

well."

The only wagering outlets currently permitted to accept wagers on Calder Race

Course are simulcast outlets within the state of Florida and New York Off-Track

Betting (NYOTB) facilities.