Hazel Park adds six days to Thoroughbred meet

Hazel Park Raceway will add six days to its 2014 live Thoroughbred meet, as approved Thursday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

The additional dates will extend the Detroit-area track’s season through Nov. 1, continuing Hazel Park’s normal schedule of racing Friday and Saturday nights. Hazel Park originally was slated to conclude its meet Saturday.

“The Michigan Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association supports Hazel Park’s request and has represented and assured the Michigan Gaming Control Board that there is an adequate horse supply and purse pool to conduct six additional days,” read the gaming board’s executive order approving the dates.

The announcement came roughly a week after Northville Downs surrendered its 2014 Thoroughbred meet license, shortly before it was assigned to pick up Michigan’s racing schedule from Hazel Park.

Hazel Park cut its purses by 25 percent in August to create a purse pool for Northville after the Michigan HBPA claimed notice had not been given from the track or the state whether Northville would host its allotted dates, despite evidence suggesting the track would not be ready.

Northville’s departure left a surplus of purse money, stabilizing the pool at Hazel Park. The track also expanded its cards to 10 races per day after the decision was announced.