Charles Town purses get a big bump

Charles Town will increase its purses by approximately 17 percent beginning Aug. 8 as the result of legislation that will return money to the track that was diverted to the West Virginia workers' compensation program in the mid-2000s.

Purses for maiden races at Charles Town will climb from $23,000 to $27,000, or 17 percent, due to the increase. Allowance and claiming races will increase from 12 percent to 22 percent.

Additionally, the local Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Charles Town have reached an agreement to increase losing mount fees for jockeys to a minimum of $100.

“This is certainly a significant help in bolstering our purse structure, which had taken a hit in recent years due to a diminishment in gaming revenues going into it,” said Charlie McIntosh, the track’s director of racing operations.

Entries for the first card carrying the increased purses will be taken Saturday.