Charles Town to cut 27 days from schedule

The West Virginia Racing Commission has granted a request by Charles Town to drop 27 racing days from its 2015 schedule in an attempt to keep purses at their current levels.

Charles Town, with support from the Charles Town Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, requested the date reduction last year after being assigned 220 dates, the legislatively required minimum.

Beginning in July, Charles Town will drop 23 Tuesday night cards. The West Virginia racino also will not race July 1-3 or on Dec. 30.

The West Virginia legislature on several occasions has reduced the percentage of revenue from the Charles Town casino that go to purses and the breeders fund.