Emerald Downs announces overnight purse increases

by | 06.24.2012 | 3:34pm
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The amount of purse money available for overnight races at Emerald Downs will be raised five percent, track Vice President Jack Hodge announced. The purse increase will take effect July 3 and be retroactive to opening day, April 13.


Hodge said several factors enabled the increase including a boost in on-track attendance and wagering figures almost identical to last year’s.


“We would like to emphasize what a great job the horsemen are doing at the entry booth, and commend our racing secretary Bret Anderson and his racing office staff for their hard work,” Hodge said.

On-track attendance, up 11 percent in 2011, has risen another 1.4 percent in 2012, and the better weather months of July and August usually mean even better attendance.


“We’re exceptionally pleased to be ahead of last year’s 11 percent gain in attendance,” Hodge said. “It’s a very good sign, and obviously bodes well for the handle too.”


The purse increase does not affect Emerald Downs’ extensive stakes schedule, which includes 30 races and the 77th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on Sunday, Aug. 19.


Emerald Downs’ weekly schedule is Friday thru Sunday with Thursdays added July 19 to August 23. The 81-day meeting continues thru Sunday, Sept. 23. Post time is 6:15 p.m. weeknights and 2:15 Sundays and holidays.


The condition book is available online at emeralddowns.com.

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  • Jersey Josh

    Hey California…How ya doin?

  • pinky

    cool! we have a great venue up here… 

  • Mlmartin

    how curious that this is happening right before portland meadows is opening up for a summer meeting and will go head to head with them. hastings park is offering incentives to ship ins and there are already 4 to five horse fields. more money will really be nice but  5% more of not much is still not much.

  • Fgdc2009

    PM being open now during the summer was the work of the genius Stronach. They have done very well over the last few years running during the winter on weekdays when there is less competition. Now all of a sudden they want to supposedly market to the fans there in Portland, this is going to be a disaster for sure. They are going to have small fields and small handle due to the fact they are running on weekends. Almost all their horses when they run in the winter come from Hastings and Emerald (outside of those who run the fair circuit). Those people are not going to leave for the bad purses at PM. I think they will struggle to even find enough jockeys as they are running on the same days as Emerald and Hastings, fair jockeys will be all that will save them and that it pathetic. With the northwest circuit now having no winter racing this will also lead to small field sizes early on next year at Emerald, horses who are in form from Portland usually fill the fields early on at Emerald in April and May. 

    There is no question about it, Stronach tries purposely to tank tracks and racing.

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