Ellis Park has announced that it will increase purses by five percent, with
the exception of previously announced stakes races, beginning Wednesday and will
continue through the remainder of the live race meet which ends on Labor Day,
September 1. This increase will be added to the purses stated in the current
condition book.
This purse increase is the direct result of a new contract between Ellis Park
and the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (KHBPA)
whereby approximately six percent of advance deposit wagering (ADW) commissions
go into purse funds in hopes of a purse increase mid-season.
“We are very excited about the partnership we have with the KHBPA,” Ellis
Park owner Ron Geary said. “We hope our agreement with the KHBPA will positively
impact the entire thoroughbred racing industry. The innovative agreement Ellis
Park leadership reached with KHBPA has allowed us to not only keep our doors
open, but to buck an industry trend of declining purses.”