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NYRA Increases Purses Across The Board At Saratoga; Maiden Allowance Fields To Run For $100,000
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NYRA Increases Purses Across The Board At Saratoga; Maiden Allowance Fields To Run For $100,000

by Laurie RossJune 24, 2021

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced significant increases to its purse schedule for the 2021 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which opens on Thursday, July 15 and continues through Monday, September 6.

The condition book for the Saratoga summer meet is now available online at the NYRA site. Physical copies of the condition book will be available in the Belmont Park racing office beginning Friday, June 25.

Purse Increase Benefits

All open stakes at Saratoga that previously carried a purse of $100,000 will see an increase of $20,000 to $120,000. Open maiden special weight races at Saratoga will enjoy a $10,000 boost, increasing from $90,000 to $100,000. New York-bred maiden special weights will increase by $5,000 to $85,000.

“We look forward to welcoming horsemen from across the country back to Saratoga,” said Keith Doleshel, NYRA Racing Secretary for the Saratoga summer meet. “The purse increases across the board should help make the 2021 season a summer full of the competitive racing that Saratoga is known for.”

Allowance optional claiming races at Saratoga featuring non-winners of three/$100,000 claiming will see its purse raised to $110,000, while non-winners of two/$80,000 claiming will have a purse of $105,000. Non-winners of one will offer a $103,000 purse.

State-bred non-winners of 2/$45,000 claiming will compete for an increased purse of $95,000, while the purse for state-bred non-winners of one was bumped to $90,000.

Additional Changes

In addition to these purse increases, the NYRA Maiden Allowance Auction Series will return this summer for the third year following its launch in 2019. All races in this series are restricted to horses that sold or RNA’d for $45,000 or less at their most recent auction, providing an additional incentive and opportunity for owners to compete at Saratoga.

The Maiden Allowance Auction Series races will be offered in the first condition book of the Saratoga meet for purses of $80,000, a $5,000 increase over 2020. The Maiden Allowance Auction Series condition will also include up to $13,920 in New York Breeding Fund open company owners awards for New York-breds finishing first through third in the Maiden Allowance Auction Series.

Pari-mutuel wagering funds the majority of the NYRA purse account, which is awarded to horsemen and, in turn, benefits hundreds of small businesses operating at NYRA tracks and others dependent on the thoroughbred racing industry. Thoroughbred racing in New York State is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual statewide economic impact.

The 2021 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses.

Graded Stakes Schedule

DateRaceGradePurseRestrictionsSurfaceDistance
Thursday, Jul 15Quick Call3$120,000.003YOTurf5 1/2 Furlongs
Thursday, Jul 15Schuylerville3$150,000.00F2YODirt6 Furlongs
Friday, Jul 16Forbidden Apple3$150,000.004&UPTurf1 Mile
Saturday, Jul 17Diana1$500,000.00F&M 4&UPTurf1 1/8
Saturday, Jul 17Sanford3$150,000.002YODirt6 Furlongs
Friday, Jul 23Lake George3$150,000.00F3YOTurf1 Mile
Saturday, Jul 24Caress3$200,000.00F&M 4&UPTurf5 ½
Saturday, Jul 24Coaching Club American Oaks1$500,000.00F3YODirt1 1/8
Sunday, Jul 25Shuvee3$200,000.00F&M 4&UPDirt1 1/8
Wednesday, Jul 28Honorable Miss Handicap2$200,000.00F&M 3&UPDirt6 Furlongs
Saturday, Jul 31Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap1$350,000.003&UPDirt6 Furlongs
Saturday, Jul 31Bowling Green2$250,000.004&UPTurf1 3/8
Saturday, Jul 31Jim Dandy2$600,000.003YODirt1 1/8
Sunday, Aug 01Amsterdam2$200,000.003YODirt6 1/2 Furlongs
Friday, Aug 06National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame2$200,000.003YOTurf1 Mile
Friday, Aug 06Troy Stakes Presented by Horse Racing Ireland3$200,000.004&UPTurf5 1/2
Saturday, Aug 07Glens Falls2$250,000.00F&M 4&UPTurf1 1/2
Saturday, Aug 07Longines Test1$500,000.00F3YODirt7 Furlongs
Saturday, Aug 07Whitney (BC)1$1,000,000.004&UPDirt1 1/8
Saturday, Aug 07Saratoga Derby Invitational1$1,000,000.003YOTurf1 3/16
Sunday, Aug 08Adirondack2$200,000.00F2YODirt6 1/2 Furlongs
Sunday, Aug 08Saratoga Oaks Invitational3$700,000.00F3YOTurf1 3/16
Saturday, Aug 14Fourstardave Handicap (BC)1$500,000.003&UPTurf1 Mile
Saturday, Aug 14Saratoga Special Presented by Miller Lite2$200,000.002YODirt6 1/2 Furlongs
Saturday, Aug 21Alabama1$600,000.00F3YODirt1 1/4
Saturday, Aug 21Lake Placid2$200,000.00F3YOTurf1 1/16
Saturday, Aug 28Ballston Spa2$400,000.00F&M 4&UPTurf1 1/16
Saturday, Aug 28Forego1$600,000.004&UPDirt7 Furlongs
Saturday, Aug 28H. Allen Jerkens Memorial1$500,000.003YODirt7 Furlongs
Saturday, Aug 28Ketel One Ballerina (BC)1$500,000.00F&M 3&UPDirt7 Furlongs
Saturday, Aug 28Personal Ensign (BC) presented by Lia Infiniti1$600,000.00F&M 4&UPDirt1 1/8
Saturday, Aug 28Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer (BC)1$750,000.004&UPTurf1 1/2
Saturday, Aug 28Runhappy Travers1$1,250,000.003YODirt1 1/4
Wednesday, Sep 01With Anticipation3$150,000.002YOTurf1 1/16
Saturday, Sep 04Flower Bowl (BC)1$600,000.00F&M 4&UPTurf1 3/8
Saturday, Sep 04Jockey Club Gold Cup (BC)1$1,000,000.003&UPDirt1 1/4
Saturday, Sep 04Prioress2$250,000.00F3YODirt6 Furlongs
Saturday, Sep 04Saranac3$200,000.003YOTurf1 1/16
Sunday, Sep 05Spinaway1$300,000.00F2YODirt7 Furlongs
Monday, Sep 06Bernard Baruch Handicap2$200,000.003&UPTurf1 1/16
Monday, Sep 06Hopeful1$300,000.002YODirt7 Furlongs

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About The Author
Laurie Ross
Laurie is a handicapper, pedigree consultant, and published author. Her work has been featured on numerous prominent racing websites and she is a reoccurring guest on sports radio programs. She is also a member of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association. Her yearly publications contain tremendous insight and value for bettors and horsemen. The Freshmen Sire Guide has received accolades from leading trainers and handicappers and her Triple Crown guides are a best-selling feature.