The New York Racing Association announced Thursday that it will increase purses for claiming races beginning June 18.The purse increases are: $5,000 for claiming prices of $30,000 or less; by $4,000 for $35,000-$50,000; by $3,0000 for $60,000-$65,000 and by $1,000 for $75,000-$80,000."These increases will help to provide a better product for our fans and adjust our purse structure to give a more equitable distribution to owners and trainers of claiming horses," said Mike Lakow, NYRA's racing secretary/handicapper.
"I think this is excellent," said trainer Gary Contessa. "It levels the playing field and provides more opportunity. We were behind Monmouth in this area, which is why a lot of people were not shipping here."