Overnight races, three stakes get a purse boost at Oaklawn

Oaklawn Park on Wednesday announced a purse increase for overnight races and three stakes – the Honeybee, Azeri, and Razorback – a move that pushes average daily purses for the meet close to $500,000.

The Grade 3 Honeybee on March 12 will now be worth $200,000, up from $150,000. The purses for the Grade 2 Azeri and Grade 3 Razorback each have been boosted from $300,000 to $350,000. The Azeri and Razorback will share a card with the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel on March 19.

The increase to overnight purses moves maiden special weights from $68,000 to $70,000. The minimum allowance purse will now be $74,000, and the minimum purse, for $5,000 claimers, will be $21,500.

The purse increase goes into effect Saturday. Officials said good weather and large fields have been good for business at this meet. The track handled a meet-high $5.1 million on its 10-race card from all sources Monday.

Oaklawn races through April 16.