Woodbine Entertainment Group, blaming a decline in slot machine business at both Mohawk and Woodbine as a result of recent implementation of government no smoking laws, announced July 15 an overall 5% cut in purses for Thoroughbred racing.The purse adjustment will take effect July 28.Purses for Woodbine's allowance, maiden allowance and open claiming races will be cut 3%, while maiden claiming, conditioned claiming and optional claiming events will be adjusted 10%.
Overnight stakes purses also suffered a 3% purse cut.The regularly scheduled stakes program, announced in January, is unaffected.Available overnight purse money for the 2004 Thoroughbred meet exceeds $67 million.