Louisiana Derby boosts purse to $1 million
August 11, 2010NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Louisiana Derby is now a $1 million prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
The Fair Grounds made the announcement Tuesday, boosting the purse by $250,000 from last year and making the race the richest ever to be run in New Orleans.
The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds is scheduled for March 26, 2011.
Fair Grounds general manager Eric Halstrom said that the track's goal is to make the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby the top Derby prep race.
The only other $1 million Derby prep is the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.