Gulfstream to boost purses, offer incentives during summer meet

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Gulfstream Park will increase gross purses by up to $1 million at the six-month summer meet, which begins April 5, according to a track release.

The track is using incentives to increase field size as one way to boost purses, including 10 percent supplements when there is a minimum of seven starters in two-turn dirt races and eight in off-the-turf races. Also, bonuses will be paid to Florida-breds in open maiden races.

The incentives program is the result of an agreement between Gulfstream, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, and the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

In all, purses could average up to $300,000 per program during the six-month meet, which runs through Sept. 30, according to the track. That’s a substantial increase from 2013, when Gulfstream first went head-to-head against crosstown rival Calder, which until that time had run the majority of dates on the south Florida circuit. Gulfstream now runs 10 months a year while also leasing Calder – now called Gulfstream West – from Churchill Downs Inc. for racing in October and November, and has shown steady increases in all-sources handle and purse payouts throughout that nearly five-year period.

Todd Pletcher, who soon will clinch a record 15th straight championship-meet training title, confirmed Thursday that he will maintain a year-round presence by having a south Florida stable after the four-month championship meet ends April 1. Numerous other prominent trainers already have set up year-round stables here, including Mike Maker, Ralph Nicks, Joe Orseno, and David Fawkes.

“When Gulfstream started its year-round program in 2013, the spring and summer product was lacking in depth and quality,” Gulfstream general manager Billy Badgett said in the release. “We now have a program that is getting stronger each year and many of the top horsemen who participate in our championship meet are now leaving horses year-round in Florida to support our program. This spring and summer promises to be our best.”

During certain periods in the summer, such as when Saratoga and Del Mar are in session, Gulfstream draws the third-highest handle in North America, ahead of tracks that traditionally had drawn better than Calder once did during that time frame.