WITH INCREASED ATTENDANCE AND HANDLE, ARAPAHOE WILL INCREASE PURSES

JULY 25, 2011 - With increases in attendance and wagering handle during the 2011 racing season, Arapahoe Park in Aurora, Colo., will raise purses for the final three weeks of the meet starting next week.

Through Friday, July 22, average attendance at Arapahoe Park is up 21 percent to 1,605 from that date last year. Average daily handle has increased four percent to$124,422.

Therefore purses for all overnight races will be increased by $1,500. All trial races will feature a $500 purse increase.

“To be up in handle and attendance is really exciting for us, and we want to give back to the horsemen,” said racing secretary Bill Powers. “I think we’re one of the few tracks in the country that can boast being up in handle for two years in a row. The field sizes have been big, and I think our quality of horses is better this year.”

The remainder of the meet will be highlighted by the Grade 3 $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity at six furlongs for 2-year-old Thoroughbreds on closing day, August 21. For Quarter Horses, Arapahoe Park will host the Grade 2 $150,000 Mile High Futurity at 400 yards for 2-year-olds on August 21 and the Grade 2 $75,000 Mile High Derby at 400 yards for 3-year-olds on August 21.