Louisiana Downs rescinds purse increase

The purse increase that went into effect at Louisiana Downs last Saturday was rescinded beginning with Thursday’s 10-race program.

The two-day, $4,000-per-race hike represented a substantial 25percent increase over previous levels. The additional purse money will instead be distributed retroactively to when the meeting began in early May, according to the president of the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Sean Alfortish.

“We thought that was just the equitable thing to do,” said Alfortish Thursday morning. “Instead of throwing a bunch of money at the last few days of the meeting, why not reward the guys who have been hanging in there throughout the entire season.”

Alfortish went on to say that the added purse money became available following better-than-anticipated gaming revenue recently at Louisiana Downs and the underpayment of current purse levels dating back to the the beginning of the season.