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Fair Grounds Announces 10% Across the Board Purse Increase

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Strong Early Business Prompts Daily Bump and Stakes Boost

New Orleans, La (Jan. 9, 2024) – Inspired by strong handle during the first seven weeks of the 152nd racing season, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a 10% purse increase across the board, along with $25,000 added to the purses of ten stakes.

“We’re extremely excited to announce a 10% increase to our daily purse structure along with the $25,000 boost to ten stakes,” Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones said. “Based on the strong early handle returns and continued support from our owners, horsemen, and horseplayers, we are in a position to raise purses.”

The 10% across the board purse increase will go in effect with the soon to be released condition book #4, which begins with the Thursday, Jan. 25 card (drawn Thursday, Jan. 18).

The purse increase includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races. Maiden special weight races will now be worth $57,000.

The seven remaining stakes listed at $75,000 have been increased to $100,000: Louisiana Broodmare of the Year, Louisiana Stallion of the Year, Allen “Black Cat” Lacombe Memorial, Black Gold, Edward J. Johnston Memorial, Red Camelia, and Page Cortez. In addition, three stakes run on Louisiana Derby Day (March 23) have been boosted by $25,000. The Tom Benson Memorial, a 1 1/16 miles turf route for older fillies and mares will now be run for $150,000 purse, and both the Crescent City Derby and Oaks will now be run for $125,000.

Wagering, Purses Up in September

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Purses rose significantly in September this year compared to September 21 while wagering on U.S. races saw a slight uptick, with a similar split showing for the third quarter of 2022 vs. 2021, according to the economic indicator statistics released by Equibase Wednesday.

Wagering totaled $936,206,774 in September, a 2.68% increase from the total of $911,734,704 in September 2021. This year’s number, however, was a 9.98% drop-off from the $1,040,000,472 wagered in September 2020. Wagering per race day was $2,317,344, a 7% increase from last September, but an 18.67% drop from the $2,849,316 posted in September 2020.

 

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Oaklawn Increases Purses

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Oaklawn will offer across-the-board purse increases beginning  Mar. 11. Claiming and starter allowance races will receive a $4,000 bump, with maiden special weights and allowances up by $6,000. The minimum purse is now set at $29,000 with maiden special weights at $90,000 and allowances at $106,000.

With the past three weeks having seen an increase in both on and off track wagering, Oaklawn has added an additional day to its schedule on Apr. 7. The live meet will run through May 8.

 

Lone Star Park Raises Overnight Purses 20%

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Lone Star Park announced June 10 a 20% across-the-board overnight purse increase, effective immediately. Purses that ranged from $12,000 to $39,000 will now be worth $14,400 to $46,800.

Lone Star’s next live racing day is June 11, its first date of racing since the announced increase. Its centerpiece day of racing this weekend comes June 13 when the track hosts five stakes for either Texas-breds or progeny of Texas stallions.

The meet continues through July 11.

Oaklawn to Increase Purses

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ALLOWANCE RACES UP TO $110,000 AFTER 15% ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASE

Hot Springs, Ark. (Tuesday, March 9, 2021) – Oaklawn has announced the largest mid-season purse increase in the history of the track. Over the final eight weeks of the season, Oaklawn will pump another $2.5 million into overnight races, including increasing top allowance races to $110,000. The 15% across the board increase also takes maiden special weights to $93,000 and raises the bottom purse to $27,000.

“It’s been an interesting year to say the least, but it is very gratifying to announce this purse increase nearly a year after shutting the race meet and casino down to fans because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “I wasn’t sure we’d get here a couple of weeks ago with all the bad winter weather, but our horsemen and fans are resilient. February ended with a tremendous weekend of racing and it was exciting to see fans back in the Infield last week. I have no doubt the final eight weeks of racing are going to be exciting, especially with some of our marquee races still to come.”

Saturday’s 12-race card will be highlighted by the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds with Arkansas Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations, as well as the $500,000 Essex Handicap, $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2), $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes, and $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes. First post is 12 noon.

“Rebel Stakes weekend has grown to be almost as big as Arkansas Derby Day and we’re excited to be able to welcome more fans back just in time for the richest racing in our history,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “Weather permitting, the Infield will be open every Saturday throughout the end of the meet. The Infield is truly a rite of spring and it was certainly missed last year.”

Oaklawn’s 2021 live meet continues through Saturday, May 1.

Located in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, Oaklawn has been one of the premiere Thoroughbred racetracks in the country since 1904, best known as home of the $1 million Arkansas Derby. The Vegas-style casino features slots, live table games, and sports betting year-round. Live racing held Jan-May and simulcast racing throughout the year. Opening early 2021 are a 200-room luxury hotel, multi-purpose event center, state-of-the-art spa and new dining options. Website – http://www.Oaklawn.com, Phone – 1-800-OAKLAWN.

Fair Grounds Announces Third Purse Increase Of The Meet

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Continued Strong Business Prompts Another Daily Bump

New Orleans (March 3, 2021) – For the third time in the 2020-21 meet, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a 10% purse increase across the board. Much like the first two, the boost was inspired by strong simulcast handle. The purse increase, which includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races, goes into effect for the final 13 days of the meet, beginning with the Thursday, March 11 card. The draw for that card is Thursday, March 4.

“Our handle has continued to be strong, and we are pleased to be able to raise purses for the third time this meet,” Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones said. “We’d once again like to thank the owners, trainers and fans who have been supporting our day-to-day racing product. $60,000 for a maiden special weight pot is a very competitive number to get to.”

Jones also indicated that the purses for all of the non-stakes races carded for the Saturday, March 20th Louisiana Derby Day card will be bumped up to $75,000 apiece. In addition, in order to accommodate the NBC broadcast, post time on that day has been pushed back to 11:20 a.m. CT.To make up for the weather related February 11th cancellation, Fair Grounds has also added Wednesday, March 24th, to the live racing calendar.

Oaklawn Trims Purses at Start of Meet

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Approximate 15% reduction in overnight purses from first condition book.

Overnight purses have been reduced in advance of the start of the Oaklawn Park meet, a 57-day run which will begin Jan. 22. The Arkansas track is making the move due to limiting attendance because of social distancing requirements because of COVID-19. The news was first reported by Mary Rampellini of Daily Racing Form, who reported average daily purses will be about $600,000 instead of the originally projected $700,000, for about a 15% reduction. Stakes purses will not be altered.

An Oaklawn spokesperson confirmed the track’s first condition book is being reprinted with the new overnight purse structure.

Fair Grounds Announces Second Purse Increase of the Meet

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Fair Grounds Announces Second Purse Increase of the Meet

Continued Strong Business Prompts Another Daily Bump

New Orleans (January 8, 2021) – For the second time in the young 2020-21 meet, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a 10% purse increase across the board. Much like the first, the boost was inspired by strong simulcast handle during the first seven weeks of the 149th racing season, which includes solid bettor response to the newly implemented traditional early and late Pk5 wagers.

“Despite losing multiple days of turf racing, handle has remained quite strong,” Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones said. “Condition book four will be released the beginning of next week, and we’re happy to be in a position to raise purses for a second time. We’d once again like to thank the owners, trainers and fans who have been supporting our day-to-day racing product.”

As a result of the increase, which will go into effect for condition book #4 (which starts February 3, 2021), purses on allowance races will be bumped up $5,000, the mid-level races will be boosted by $3,000, while all other races will receive a $2,000 hike. Maiden special weight races will now be worth $55,000. The purse increase includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races.

Entries for the Wednesday, February 3 card will be drawn one week earlier on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

Fair Grounds Announces Purse Increase

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Strong Early Business Prompts Daily Bump

New Orleans (December 13, 2020) – Inspired by strong simulcast handle during the first three weeks of the 149th racing season, which includes solid bettor response to the newly implemented traditional early and late Pk5 wagers, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a 10% purse increase across the board.

“We’re extremely excited to announce a 10% increase to our daily purse structure,” Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones said. “Based on the strong early handle returns and continued support from our owners and horseman, we are in a position to raise purses.”

As a result of the increase, which will go into effect for condition book #3 (which starts January 1, 2021), purses on allowance races will be bumped up $3,000, while all other races will receive a $2,000 hike. Maiden special weight races will now be worth $50,000. The purse increase includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races.

Entries for the Friday, January 1 card will be drawn on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS ANNOUNCES PURSE INCREASE OF $1,500 PER RACE BEGINNING AUGUST 8

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The Annual Louisiana Cup Day Will Take Place on Saturday, September19 with the Support of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA)

 

Bossier City, LA – Harrah’s Louisiana Downs is pleased to announce that overnight purses will be increased by $1,500 for the remainder of the 2020 Thoroughbred meet. The adjustment will go into effect on Saturday, August 8 and will continue through the conclusion of the racing season on Wednesday, September 23.

“We thank our local horsemen for their support since the live racing season began on June 6,” said David Heitzmann, Director of Racing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. “This has been a very challenging year due to COVID-19, so we are pleased to reward these hard working men and women with a purse increase of $1,500 across the board.”

Further good news is that Louisiana Cup Day will be held at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs on Saturday, September 19.  The annual day of racing, which traditionally takes place in August, showcases accredited Louisiana-bred Thoroughbreds. Due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the event was put on hold, but Roger Heitzmann, Executive Director of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA); Ed Fenasci, Executive Director of the HBPA and David Heitzmann, director of Racing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, have worked diligently to put the annual stakes day back on the calendar.  On June 16, the LTBA Board of Directors voted to earmark $100,000 for Louisiana Cup Day.

“We are grateful to LTBA for allocating the funds so we can run Louisiana Cup Day once again this year,” added Heitzmann. “This is a very important day for our breeders, horsemen, and of course, the fans at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.”

Louisiana Cup Day Featured Stakes                                   

$40,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                    2 YO LA-Bred                        Six furlongs

$40,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies          2 YO Fillies LA-Bred             Six furlongs

$40,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint  3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred  Six furlongs

$40,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                        3 YO & Up LA-Bred              Six furlongs

$40,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic              3 YO & Up LA-Bred              1 1/16 miles (T)

$40,000 Louisiana Distaff                              3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred  1 1/16 miles (T)

 

Post Times and Racing Dates

The 2020 Thoroughbred racing season at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs got underway on Saturday, June 6. The 64-day meet will run Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through September 23. Post time is 3:05 pm (Central).

About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

 

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