In an effort to boost participation, Churchill Downs has announced that it
will pay purse money to each participating horse in its stakes races, excluding
the $2 million Kentucky Derby (G1), during the April 29-July 16 Spring Meet.
The Louisville, Kentucky, track has distributed purse money to the top five
finishers in every stakes race in recent years. The new policy calls for horses
that finish lower than fifth to be paid 1 percent of the overall purse,
including added money. The 1 percent share paid to the horses finishing sixth
through last will be taken out of the overall purse first, then all remaining
purse money will be distributed to the top five finishers under Churchill Downs’
regular formula — 62 percent to the winner, 20 percent to the runner-up, 10
percent to third, 5 percent to fourth and 3 percent to fifth.
Churchill’s Racing Secretary, Doug Bredar, said the change was implemented
with two goals in mind: provide an additional incentive for horsemen to
participate and allow the track to show its gratitude to horsemen for their
support of those races. He said the change has been approved by both the
Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and the Kentucky
Thoroughbred Association (KTA).
“The possibility of recouping nomination and starting fees could provide a
sufficient incentive to convince some horsemen who are on the fence regarding
individual stakes races to take a chance with their horse,” Bredar explained.
“Our stakes races attract many of racing’s brightest stars and, in many cases,
the addition of just a horse or two to any stakes field can transform a modestly
interesting race into a compelling contest for both fans and horsemen.
“We’re hoping that the new policy will attract rising stars and other horses
that fit to compete in those races — horses with connections that may need only
a small incentive to decide to drop their horses into the entry box.”