Churchill purses being increased

Churchill Downs has announced that overnight purses will be increased 10 percent, effective when racing resumes Thursday at the Louisville, Ky., track.

Purses for overnight races – which include overnight stakes, allowance, maiden special weight, claiming, and maiden-claiming events – will rise by an approximate blended average of $3,150 per race.

Keven Flanery, president of Churchill racetrack, said in a release that the raise was made possible through “the strength of our Kentucky Derby Week product and the fans’ corresponding response through strong all-sources wagering.” Tracks owned by Churchill Downs Inc. do not release business figures on a regular basis.

Total overnight purses for the meet are projected to be $12.6 million, up from an original forecast of $12.1 million. The daily average purse distribution, not including stakes money, will be approximately $323,723 per day. The number grows to $484,418 when stakes money is included.