Lone Star reducing purses

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Purses for overnight races at Lone Star Park will be reduced approximately 9 percent beginning June 5 because of declines in attendance and handle, the track announced Tuesday.

Lone Star will also adjust purses on six of its stakes starting June 28.

During the first half of the current Thoroughbred meet, attendance has been down 5 percent to just over 8,400 a day. Ontrack handle, which includes both live and simulcast betting, has fallen 6 percent to $1.2 million a day, while offsite wagering on the track's races has slipped 9 percent to $1.9 million a day.

The meet runs a total of 70 days to July 13.

The following stakes have all been reduced in value by $25,000: the Assault on June 28, now worth $100,000; the Allen Bogan on June 28, now $75,000; the Walmac Lone Star Oaks on July 4, $100,000; the Silver Spur Breeders' Cup on July 12, $75,000; and the Middleground Breeders' Cup on July 13, $75,000.

The Bob Johnson Memorial on July 13 has been reduced from $75,000 to $60,000.

Business during Lone Star Million Day on Monday was a bright spot for the track, with attendance of 17,362 and handle of $5,383,212 on the 11-race card, up slightly from 2002.