Gulfstream to Raise Purses

Note: This article is based on an article  click here  published Thursday by click here bloodhorse.com
Both  are written by Jim Freer, Blood-Horse correspondent and editorial director of  this Web site.


Friday, July 18 -- Gulfstream Park announced on Thursday that it will increase purses an average of 10 percent starting with its July 24 Condition Book and also offer a $250 starter incentive to help horsemen offset the cost of workers' compensation.

In  a news release, Gulfstream said  the  purse increase is the result of an agreement signed July 1 between Gulfstream and Calder Casino & Race Course that ended a dates conflict and head-to-head weekend racing.

Gulfstream did not provide specific numbers.  But a comparison of upcoming  Fridays  shows purses  of $194,375 for  nine races  on July 18 and  of $238,000 for nine races July 25.   Both days’ numbers  include Florida Owners’ Awards.

Gulfstream, in Hallandale Beach,  Fla., added that “since the agreement was signed, Gulfstream's total handle and field size has increased significantly.”   It did not provide specific numbers,.

However,  a Blood-Horse review of  Equibase  Co. charts showed that Gulfstream averaged an impressive $3.9 million in all-sources handle for its eight race days between July 1 and July 13.

The last day of head-to-head racing was June 29.  Gulfstream’s average daily handle was in the $3 million range  and Calder’s was in the $800,000 to $900,000 range during  the second half of June.

This past weekend of July 11-13, Gulfstream had average daily all-sources handle of $4.3 million. Gulfstream had 30 races over the three days with  an average of 9.6 starters per race.  It averaged  about eight horses per race during the second  half of last month.

Last weekend’s average wagering  per day on Gulfstream races was 59 percent higher than its $2.7 million on the June 27 to June 29 weekend--the last during which Calder  also had racing.

Gulfstream added that it has also made significant strides in reinvigorating the Florida 2-year-old program and the $1.4 million Florida Sire Stakes, which begins August 9.

"The solid increases we've seen in field size and handle confirms our long-held belief that a dates agreement would benefit racing and horsemen," Gulfstream President Tim Ritvo said. "Our strategy is to continue building Florida racing for our bettors, horsemen and breeders and create a healthy year-round racing program.”

Ritvo added: "Because of our increase in handle we will offer a $250 starter bonus to our horsemen through October 4 to help offset the cost of workers' compensation. While this will help in the short-term, our goal continues to work with horsemen on a long-term solution to workers' compensation."

Phil Combest, president of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA), said: "Florida horsemen are excited about summer racing again for the first time in years. A purse increase, starter incentive, the best field sizes in the country, and a track that is marketing and publicizing the sport. Why wouldn't we be optimistic?"

Gulfstream  is in  its  summer meet that will  run  through Oct. 4.  It has racing  Thursdays through Sundays,  with first  post time of   1:15 p.m.

Gulfstream: First Post of 1:15 Starting Friday

Wednesday, July 16 -- Gulfstream  Park announced today that it will have  a first post time of 1:15 p.m. Eastern starting this Friday July 18.

Gulfstream’s  first post tomorrow will be 1:25 p.m. for its nine races.  Gulfstream will have racing Thursdays through Sundays until Oct. 4. Racing will then shift to Calder Casino & Race Course for eight weeks before going back to Gulfstream from December through  next June.

Gulfstream Handle Rises Sharply Following Calder Deal

By Jim Freer

Now that it has stopped racing head-to-head with Calder Casino & Race Course, Gulfstream Park is generating some impressive and expected increases in its handle and field sizes.

Gulfstream’s all-sources handle fot July is approaching an average $4 million  a day--up about 30 percent from last month. The average field size, under eight some days last month, could hit ten for this week.

The two South Florida  tracks signed their landmark race dates  agreement on July 1. Their last head-to-head racing day was Sunday June 29.

For its eight race days this month, Gulfstream is averaging $3.9 million in daily all-sources handle.  A  review of Equibase Co. charts for the second half of  June shows Gulfstream with average handle in the $3 million  range and Calder in the $900,000 range.

Rather than both tracks racing Fridays through Sundays, for a total of  six race cards, South Florida’s only Thoroughbred racing is now Thursdays through Sundays at Gulfstream.

There are fewer races, the overall quality is better and there are more horses per  race.  That  has led to more interest from bettors, at Gulfstream and at other tracks and home computers around the country.

This past weekend of July 11 to July 13, Gulfstream had average daily all-sources handle of $4.3 million. Gulfstream had 30 races over the three days with  an average of 9.6 starters per race.  It averaged  about eight horses per race during the second  half of last month.

Last weekend’s average wagering  per day on Gulfstream races was 59 percent higher than its $2.7 million on the June 27 to June 29 weekend--the last during which Calder  also had racing.

“Our field sizes have quickly grown over the last two weeks and are the largest in the country this weekend,” Gulfstream Park President Tim Ritvo said on Friday July 11.  “Now that we are racing four days a week, we expect the quality of our racing to continue growing with our weekend stakes.”

Breakdowns are not readily available for Gulfstream on live handle, betting at other tracks and  advance deposit wagering.

Gulfstream’s summer meet will extend until Oct. 4.  Racing will move to Calder for  two months from Oct. 7 to Nov.30, with Gulfstream running the meet under its lease agreement.

This is Gulfstream’s second summer of racing, and first without same day competition from Calder.

Partly due to the popularity of its brand name for simulcast bettors. Gulfstream is approaching the well-entrenched Monmouth Park  in handle.  Monmouth, in Oceanport. N.J., had average daily all-sources handle of $4.8 million last weekend.

Gulfstream’s $4.3 million average was one of its best for a weekend since this past April. Gulfstream had average daily all-sources handle of $8.3  million for its 2013-14 winter meet.

A big test of Gulfstream’s summer popularity with bettors around the country will start when Saratoga begins its annual meet this Friday.

Gulfstream will compete with sheer numbers, and with at least one stakes race each Saturday.

There are 1,250 horses stabled at Gulfstream and 450 at Calder.  Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s affiliate training  center in Boynton Beach is closed for resurfacing until  early September.

This Thursday, Gulfstream  will have nine races with 108 entries including also eligibles and  main track only runners.  On Friday, it will have nine races with 102 entries including AE and MTO runners. First post is 1:25 p.m. each day.

Gold, O'Connell 2-Year-Olds Win at Gulfstream

The trainer-owner teams of Fred Brei-Stanley Gold and Gilbert Campbell-Kathleen O'Connell were almost  dominant the past several years in stakes for 2-year-olds at Calder Casino & Race Course.

On Saturday, they continued that success as South Florida's 2-year-old stakes shifted to Gulfstream Park.

Sing Praises, from the Brei-Gold barn, won the $75,000 Birdonthewire Stakes for males.  Coco's Wildcat, from the Campbell-O'Connell, won the $75,000 Cassidy Stakes for fillies.  Both races were 5  1/2  furlongs on dirt.