From Turfway Park
Turfway Park has added the St. Patrick’s Day Handicap to its annual stakes schedule.
For 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs, the overnight handicap carries a $50,000 purse, including $24,600 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. Nominations close March 5 for the race, which will be run March 17.
The March 17 program is one of two Monday cards added to Turfway’s live racing schedule to replace full days lost to bitter cold in January. The other Monday card will run Presidents Day, Feb. 18.
“The St. Patrick’s Day Handicap fills a gap in our stakes schedule for older male horses going short,” Turfway racing secretary Rick Leigh said. “After the Forego sprint in January, we had only routes for this group in the winter/spring Meet. The St. Patrick’s Day Handicap increases horsemen’s options for their good older horses.”
Turfway also has raised purses on KTDF races during the current meet by 5%.