March 16th 1996

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by phystech

Interesting - Laurel's 1996 MSW purse was shown as @$17k. Today it is @$30k, and that does not include a $5k bonus for MD-bred winners.

During the time of Tampa's greatly increased handle, Laurel's has dramatically decreased. Yet, Lau's purses are much better.

So, again, why are Tampa's purses so bad?? Where is all the money going?

Cannon Shell's take:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Tampa Bays purses arent higher because the TB HBPA is controlled by hacks from Suffolk who dont want purses to get too much higher because they know wont be able to compete and even more legit trainers will want to show up for better money. They have no objection to increases to the stakes purses because they are mostly won by ship-ins and with the handle increasing they have to use the money somewhere.

Also...

The stakes programs in Maryland - outside of Preakness day - has come under very hard times. Tampa went from a weak stakes schedule -- to now having two different Graded Stakes Derby prep's -- they also have very good stakes throughout all divisions... even turf sprinters.

Going from N1X alw races with $4,500 purses - to hosting great stretch duels between Street Sense and Any Given Saturday or Gio Ponti and Karelian - it's a step in the right direction on that front.