Ellis Park raises purses

Reversing a trend this year of racetrack purse cuts, Ellis Park is raising purses for overnight races 5 percent, effective Wednesday and continuing through the end of its meet Sept. 1.

In a press release, the track's owner, Ron Geary, attributed the increase in part to the track's new agreement with the Kentucky Benevolent and Protective Association regarding its split of advance deposit wagering. That agreement calls for 6 percent of that wagering to go into purse funds.

Ellis Park's racing secretary, Dan Bork, said Friday the 5 percent purse increase applies to association funds but not to purse supplements for Kentucky-breds or to stakes races.