Fair Grounds raising purses for remainder of meet

Fair Grounds on Wednesday announced it was raising purses for the remainder of the 2018-19 meet, which ends March 24. Maiden and allowance-race purses will be increased by $2,000, according to a news release, and all other races will have their purses boosted $1,000. The release attributed the increase to “stronger parimutuel handle as well as an increase in gaming revenue throughout the racing season.” Fair Grounds also operates a slot-machine casino attached to the racetrack as well as video poker parlors in the region.

◗ A five-win day on the Sunday card pushed James Graham to a 46-39 lead over second-place Adam Beschizza in the Fair Grounds jockey standings entering this week’s racing.

◗ There’s no racing Sunday at Fair Grounds because of the Super Bowl.