Gulfstream stakes slate tops $11 million

Gulfstream Park will offer a stakes program worth a record $11.61 million in purses during the 2015-16 championship meet, which begins Dec. 5.

The $1 million Florida Derby will again highlight the schedule and is the marquee event on the April 2 card, which includes eight stakes with purses totaling $2.4 million.

Seven of the record 73 stakes on the schedule have received purse increases, topped by the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap and Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap, each of which will be worth $500,000, up from $350,000 last winter. The purse of the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks has been elevated to $250,000. The Grade 2 Orchid, Grade 3 Appleton, and Grade 3 Pan American all have been boosted to $200,000, while the purse of the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes was upped from $75,000 to $100,000.

The Oaks, Orchid, Appleton, and Pan American will be run with the Florida Derby on April 2.

The $1.1 million Claiming Crown will kick off the stakes program on opening day. There will be seven Saturday cards offering at least five stakes each.

Gulfstream Park 2015-16 Stakes Schedule

“We’re looking forward to what will be a memorable and exciting championship meet at Gulfstream Park,” said P.J. Campo, Gulfstream’s general manager and The Stronach Group’s vice president of racing. “The increase in purse money and the number of stakes to our program shows the commitment of The Stronach Group to Thoroughbred racing in Florida and throughout North America. Our 3-year-old program, highlighted by the $1 million Florida Derby and Gulfstream Park Oaks, continues to be one of the best in the world.”