Officials with Northfield Park have announced a purse increase, which will come into effect on Thursday, July 17.
This is the fourth such increase since the opening of the $265-million Hard Rock Rocksino in December, 2013.
“This is another step in the right direction as we continue to make improvements in our racing program,” said Dave Bianconi, the track’s executive vice president of racing and simulcasting. “Our horsemen have expressed a desire to raise the minimum purse. This new structure is a direct response to their wishes. We have implemented gradual increases to maximize the benefit to horsemen who supported our racing program throughout the pre-VLT era.”
The new purse structure bolsters the minimum purse to $3,000 and adjusts various other classes, including the Opens, which have been raised to $12,500.
“Northfield’s race program is on the right track, and we are executing a specific business plan to ensure that we make the most of the opportunities the State of Ohio has afforded us,” explained Brent Reitz, Northfield Park’s vice president and general manager. “Given our solid VLT results and substantial increases in pari-mutuel handle, we anticipate further enhancements to purses in conjunction with the finalization of a long-term contract with the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.”
Reitz added, “It is gratifying to see positive changes taking place in Ohio, especially here at Northfield, where we continue to offer ample opportunities for our horsemen with year-round racing four and five nights a week.”
(With files from Northfield)