Churchill purses getting a 10.7 percent boost

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Effective Thursday, Churchill purses will undergo an across-the-board increase of 10.7 percent, with maiden-special races now starting at $95,000 and allowances at $97,000 (both figures include bonuses for Kentucky-breds).

Purses for seven stakes also have been boosted. Four stakes have gone from $100,000 to $125,000, and three overnight stakes from $100,000 to $120,000.

Track officials attributed the hike primarily to revenues from the slots-like historical racing machines that became operational last September at the company’s nearby Derby City Gaming facility.

Thursday marks the 20th card of the 38-day spring meet. Such purse supplements have become standard for the second half of the spring meet in recent years. Total purse payouts for the entire meet are now projected at $33.5 million.

◗ The 50th Downs After Dark card at Churchill is set for Saturday, nearly 10 years since the track first installed lights for the purpose of night racing. A pair of sprints for older horses – the Grade 3, $125,000 Aristides at six furlongs and the $120,000 Mighty Beau at five furlongs on turf – will highlight a card that starts at 6 p.m. Eastern.

From the rail, here’s the field of seven for the Aristides: Mr. Crow, Control Stake, Share the Upside, Zipp On By, Petrov, Wilbo, and Kowboy Karma.

Churchill is using a Woodstock theme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the upstate New York festival.

◗ A couple of main-track allowances for 3-year-olds and upward will serve as highlights of a Thursday card that kicks off another four-day week at Churchill with a 5 p.m. post time.

Race 1 is a $97,000 first-level race that drew a field of eight going 1 1/16 miles, while race 7 is a $99,000 second-level sprint that got a well-matched field of 10.

◗ A private memorial service will be held Saturday in Fremont, Mich., for Lynn Penrod, the wife of retired trainer Steve Penrod. The family asks that memorial contributions in her name be made to any animal welfare organization. Lynn Penrod died May 21 at age 63.