Ray Paulick compares Gulfstream purses with those of Calder and Tampa Bay and finds Gulfstream lagging:
The median purse per race — the middle number that factors out top-heavy prize money from the Sunshine Millions and other stakes — has fallen from $30,000 in 1999 to $17,500 in 2006.
Thus, from 1999 to 2006, average daily purses are down 7.7%, average purse per race is down 2.2%, and median purse per race is down 41.7%. Factors that account for varying rates of decline from 1999 to 2006 are fewer races per day and heavier concentration of money into the stakes program….
Owners racing at Florida’s two other tracks have benefited from purse increases since 1999. Daily average purses at Calder grew 14.3%, reaching $226,638 in 2005. Median purse per race, however, has remained a constant $17,000.
Tampa Bay Downs is one of racing’s true success stories — and one that isn’t driven by revenue from slot machines. Daily average purses there have grown 81.9% since the 1998-99 season, with the median purse per race up 58.7%. Tampa Bay’s current meeting is offering daily average purses of $157,451 and a median purse per race of $11,900.
Earlier: Gulfstream Numbers
Posted by JC in Track Notes on 04/12/2006 @ 1:45 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
– It’s a longshot, but Kentucky Derby winners Funny Cide and Giacomo could meet in the Alysheba Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard. “That would be really kind of neat if both horses could make the race,” said Sackatoga managing partner Jack Knowlton. Trainer John Shirreffs downplayed the possibility, though, saying he only nominated Giacomo at the request of Churchill Downs. “I said I would, but I’m not sure whether the timing would work out for Giacomo.”
– Wild Fit is out of the Oaks. The filly came down with an infection last weekend and has been turned out at a farm for a couple of months to recover.
– Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Borrego has been retired following surgery to remove a bone chip in his right front ankle. He’ll stand at Wintergreen Stallion Station in 2007.
Posted by JC in News on 04/12/2006 @ 1:30 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
Here’s one idea to ensure secure retirements for racehorses:
As a solution to the funding problem, the TRF has proposed the creation of a social security trust fund for retired thoroughbreds. Money would be raised for the fund by deducting one-half of one percent (.005) from all purse monies. (At this rate, a modest $5 would be deducted for every $1,000 in earnings.) The fund would be managed by people within the industry, with money allocated to rescue organizations on a horse-by-horse basis. With total purses annually running over $1 billion, this method would raise over $5 million per year.
In the meantime, Woodford Reserve distillery will sell $1,000 mint juleps at the Kentucky Derby to support thoroughbred retirement groups.
Posted by JC in Horse Rescue/Slaughter on 04/11/2006 @ 5:45 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
