NEWS
Calder cancels two graded stakes, slashes purses
Posted: Saturday, October 03, 2009 5:10 PM
Calder Race Course will reduce overnight purses by 15% starting October 8 due to the economic downturn in state and national economies as well as poor turf conditions due to inclement weather.
In addition to the purse reduction, Calder canceled the Frances A. Genter Handicap (G3), the Fred W. Hooper Handicap (G3), and the Tropical Park Oaks. The track also reduced the purse for the Calder Derby (G3) from $150,000 to $100,000 and the Calder Oaks from $100,000 to $75,000.
Calder has lost 33 of 40 originally scheduled turf races in September due to rainy weather and 127 of 216 turf races for the year were taken off the grass.
“Our team at Calder is working diligently to get our slots and poker operations up and running as soon as possible, which we expect to add significant dollars to our purse account in the future,” said John Marshall, Calder’s vice president and general manager of racing.
