Overnight purses get boost

The $150,000 Canadian Derby, the richest and most prestigious race at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta, heads a slate of 31 stakes worth a total of $1.38 million at the meeting that starts June 22.

While the purses for the Sale and Filly Sale Stakes have been cut from $62,500 to $50,000, and two Fall Classic Day stakes from $50,000 to $40,000, Alan Bott, racing secretary at Northlands, said the overnight purse structure will be increasing by approximately 30 percent.

"We're trying to get more money back into our overnight purses," said Bott. "We're hoping to average about $100,000 a day, and our bottom purse will be $6,000, up from $4,800."

The increases have been made possible by a redistribution of revenues from Alberta's slot machine program.

The 1 3/8-mile Canadian Derby, to be run Aug. 25, is an open race for 3-year-olds and will be one of two Grade 3 stakes at the 68-day session.

The $100,000 Speed to Spare, a 1 3/8-mile handicap for 3-year-olds and upward Sept. 8, also offers Grade 3 status.

Fall Classic Day, Sept. 22, will feature seven stakes for Alberta-breds with a total of $300,000 in purse money up for grabs.

Racing generally will be conducted on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Holiday Monday cards will be added on July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, and Oct. 8, and a special card is scheduled for Thursday, July 19.

Wednesdays will be dark days following holiday Monday programs, as well as on July 18. There also will be no racing on Sundays July 29 and Aug. 26

2001 northland park stakes

DATEEVENTCONDITIONSDISTANCEPURSE

Sat.June 23Journal3YO & Up6 1/2 Furlongs$30,000

Fri.June 29Wild Rose3YO & Up F&M6 1/2 Furlongs$30,000

Sat.June 30Chariot Chaser 3YO F6 1/2 Furlongs $30,000

Sun.July 1Western Canada 3YO6 1/2 Furlongs $30,000

Sat.July 7 Spangled Jimmy3YO & Up 1 Mile $30,000

Sat.July 14 Ky Alta 3YO 1 1/16 Miles $30,000

Fri.July 20 Northlands Oaks 3YO F1 Mile $30,000

Sat. July 21Rio Terrace 3YO & Up F&M 1 Mile $30,000

Fri.July 27 Edmonton Juvenile 2YO C&G 6 Furlongs $30,000

Sat.July 28 Klondike 3YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles$30,000

Sat.Aug. 4 Count Lathum 3YO 1 5/16 Miles $35,000

Sun. Aug. 5Princess Margaret 2YO F 6 Furlongs $30,000

Mon.Aug. 6 Sun Sprint Championship 3YO & Up6 1/2 Furlongs $50,000

Fri.Aug. 10 Madamoiselle 3YO & Up F&M 1 1/16 Miles $30,000

Sat. Aug. 11 Sonoma 3YO F 1 1/16 Miles $50,000

Sun. Aug. 19Filly Sale2YO F6 1/2 Furlongs $50,000

Sun.Aug. 19 Sale 2YO C&G 6 1/2 Furlongs $50,000

Sat.Aug. 25Canadian Derby (Gr. 3) 3YO 1 3/8 Miles $150,000

Sat.Aug. 25Edmonton Distaff 3YO & Up F&M1 1/16 Miles $50,000

Sat. Aug. 25Westerner 3YO & Up 1 5/16 Miles $35,000

Sat.Sept. 1Birdcatcher 2YO C&G 6 1/2 Furlongs $50,000

Mon.Sept. 3 Bird of Pay 2YO F 6 1/2 Furlongs $50,000

Sat.Sept. 8 Speed to Spare (Gr. 3)3YO & Up1 3/8 Miles $100,000

Sat.Sept. 22Alberta Breeders' (Alta-bred) 3YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles $50,000

Sat.Sept. 22 Fall Classic Distaff (Alta-bred) 3YO & Up F&M1 1/16 Miles$50,000

Sat.Sept. 22Sturgeon River (Alta-bred) 2YO F 1 Mile $40,000

Sat.Sept. 22Alb. Prem. Futurity (Alta-bred) 2YO1 Mile $40,000

Sat.Sept. 22Alberta Oaks (Alta-bred) 3YO F 1 Mile $40,000

Sat. Sept. 22Beaufort (Alta-bred) 3YO 1 1/16 Miles $40,000

Sat.Sept. 22 Red Diamond Express (Alta-bred)3YO & Up6 1/2 Furlongs$40,000

Sat.Oct. 13Canadian Juvenile2YO 1 1/16 Miles $50,000