For the second time in 10 days, Oaklawn Park has announced an
across-the-board purse increase, effective immediately. The increase will add
$1,000 per race, excluding stakes races. On March 1, the Hot Springs, Arkansas,
track announced an increase of $700 per race. The purse increases are due in
large part to additional Instant Racing revenue and better-than-expected
business during the early stages of the meet despite the loss of the three-day
Presidents’ Day holiday weekend due to inclement weather.
Through Sunday, on-track handle on live races was up 5 percent, while
off-track handle was up 45 percent. Instant Racing has enjoyed an increase of 80
percent.
“The horsemen are very much our partners in putting on the races,” Oaklawn
Park Racing Secretary Pat Pope said. “And I’m hopeful that we’re not finished
with purse increases for them. The outlook for the second half of our meet is
outstanding and that prospect would almost certainly mean that additional
increases are very possible.”