West Virginia Breeders Classics stakes get purse boost

The nine West Virginia Breeders Classics races, scheduled for Oct. 8 at Charles Town, will be worth $90,000 more than a year ago. Total purses on this year's card will be $1.17 million.

The two most valuable races on the card, the $500,000 West Virginia Breeders Classic and the $150,000 West Virginia Cavada Breeders Classic, will have the same purses as in 2015. The other seven races are all worth more.

Four races have had their purses boosted $15,000. They are the $75,000 West Virginia Division of Tourism Breeders Classic, the $75,000 West Virginia Lottery Breeders Classic, the $75,000 West Virginia Triple Crown Nutrition Breeders Classic, and the $75,000 West Virginia Vincent Moscarelli Memorial Breeders Classic.

The three other races on the card have been increased $10,000 each. They are the $80,000 West Virginia Breeders Classic Distaff, the $80,000 West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Onion Juice Breeders Classic, and the $60,000 West Virginia Dash for Cash Breeders Classic.

Charles Town also has received approval from the West Virginia Racing Commission to add three racing dates to its meet. The new days are Oct. 12 and 13, and Dec. 30. Charles Town lost seven days of its meet earlier this year when a track renovation took longer than planned due to wet weather.