8/2: Saratoga (Whitney; Vanderbilt; Test)

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Saturday's card shows the impact of the racino-cash injection while also reminding us that the whole purse structure needs to be checked. The purses are as follows :

2nd Race - MSW 7f - $98,000
3rd Race - MSW 8.5f Turf - $98,000
4th Race - OC 62.5 8.5f Turf - $105,000
5th Race - MSW 6f - $98,000
6th Race - OC 75k 8.5f Turf - $100,000

However, the De La Rose (7th Race) and the Lure (11th Race) only go for $100,000 as named races.

While I am not sufficiently well versed to discuss the horsemen's purse account, it would seem obvious that increasing purses along the class road only makes sense. Today's purses are showing an extremely compression which should be checked.

Views?

The MSW & ALW purses get enhancements on biggest stakes days to encourage/guarantee participation. The eye-popping $27,800,000 handle generated Sat. would seem to be a suitable reward for the boost program.

The 2 non-graded stakes Sat. were restricted affairs that don't need any other enhancement above the black type offered.

And be aware that distribution of the gaming revenue is dictated by legislative statute between the purse account and capital improvements. It has to go somewhere in terms of the purses and is being quite well used.