Hollywood Dayton Raceway has announced a unique method of boosting purses for the month of December, the final month of the track’s annual fall-winter meet.

Every normal class that was offered in November will get a one-time opportunity to race for more money in the closing weeks. On the day designated for each individual class, the purse will be enhanced by 20 percent if enough enter to fill the race. Those races that attract 16 or more entries will be split into divisions with the top finishers returning for a mini-series final for double the normal purse the following week. In the event that more than 10 and less than 16 enter a class, the normal Ohio preference rules will be enforced.

A total of 55 potential mini-series will be offered, including races for "green" horses, condition races from N/W $1000 last 4 starts to Opens and the full range of claiming classes. Claimers who have raced in the same class (or one class lower) in their last two starts will not carry claiming tags in a mini-series that splits into divisions. Horses dropping down in claiming class will have to carry a tag.

A complete list of the specific December dates that each potential mini-series is offered is posted in the paddock, available in the race office, and will be available soon on both the OHHA and Hollywood Dayton websites.

“There were a number of days this year that we were not able to meet our business model, which calls for 14 races with full fields on a daily basis,” said Race Secretary Gregg Keidel. “That left us with a surplus in the purse account. After consultation with the OHHA and its track director, we arrived at this plan to distribute the excess funds to as many owners as possible.”

Questions can be directed to the race office at 937-235-7860 during operating hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on race days.

(Hollywood Dayton Raceway)