Northfield Park has announced a 10 per cent overall purse increase beginning with the Thursday (Jan. 9) program. This is the first increase of several anticipated throughout 2014.
The Hard Rock Rocksino, a $265-million gaming and entertainment facility built adjacent to Northfield Park racetrack, opened Dec. 18 and has shown strong early returns. The results have allowed for this increase despite a purse overpayment in 2013.
“Instead of waiting and having one large increase, we have chosen to raise purses gradually as money is realized from our new facility,” said Dave Bianconi, executive vice president of Racing and Simulcasting. “This will maximize the benefit to our local horsemen who have supported our racing program throughout the pre-VLT era.”
Northfield Park will race 214 nights in 2014, with a current live racing schedule of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights with a 6 p.m. first-race post time.
(Northfield Park)