2011 Arlington sched trims, moves stakes
 

Proposed Arlington schedule eliminates several stakes
By Marcus Hersh

Arlington Park revealed its proposed 2011 stakes schedule on Wednesday, a schedule that will save close to $500,000 in purse money compared to 2010. Gone from the stakes schedule in 2011 is the $200,000 American 1,000 Guineas, an early-meet turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies that was introduced in 2008 and never found a niche. Also absent from the 2011 schedule is the Grade 3 Arlington Oaks, a race that had been run 13 times, and offered a $100,000 purse in 2010. Two $100,000 Illinois owners stakes will be run as $50,000 overnight races in 2011. And finally, the purse of the Arlington Matron was lowered from $150,000 last year to $100,000 this year.

They are also trying to change from Thursday-Sunday schedule in May and June to race Wednesday instead of Thursday.

At least they didn't cut purses, although the racing office will probably be forced to use all possible nickel claimers.

I wonder if the 500k is less than last years scheduled stakes money or actual purses paid? Remember they cut 750k in stkes last year early in the meet because things were going so bad.

Dont worry Indiana is right around the corner

That would be a smart move. Thursday is a bad handle day. Why not try Friday through Monday?

Thursday was our best day last summer believe it or not... actually, on our Thur-Sun schedule, the week got progressively worse.