Del Mar cuts purses for summer meet
April 24, 2010DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) -Del Mar will offer lower purses for 13 stakes races and reduce the value of its overnight stakes at the seaside track's 71st summer meet July 21-Sept. 8.
The track says the purse reductions were the result of what it calls ``the realities of the racing business both in California and across the country.''
However, the track's signature event, the Pacific Classic on Aug. 28, will retain its $1 million purse. TVG, the national TV and advanced deposit wagering company, signed on as sponsor.
Of the 13 races that were reduced, the hardest hit was the John C. Mabee Stakes, which dropped in value from $350,000 to $250,000 and was made a Grade 2. The Cougar II Handicap was cut from $150,000 to $125,000, but moved up to Grade 3 status. The other 11 were reduced by $50,000.
All of Del Mar's overnight stakes were reduced by $10,000 to $75,000 each.
For the second straight year, Del Mar will race five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday, except for its Labor Day card on Monday, Sept. 6.