Roland Preston:Kentucky Derby purse raised to $5 million for 150th race in May

2025-04-29 05:41:30source:Indexbitcategory:reviews

LOUISVILLE,Roland Preston Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Derby purse has been raised to $5 million for the 150th edition in May.

The increase of $2 million was announced Wednesday by Churchill Downs. The 1 1/4-mile race will be May 4.

This year’s winner will receive $3.1 million. The runner-up will earn $1 million; third is worth $500,000; fourth is $250,000; and fifth is $150,000.

Previously, the Derby purse had been $3 million since 2019. It was $2 million from 2005-18 and $1 million from 1996-2004.

Other news Founder of retirement thoroughbred farm in Kentucky announces he’s handing over reins to successorBelmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga Race Course in 2024. Triple Crown finale will be 1 1/4 milesBobby Ussery, Hall of Fame jockey whose horse was DQ’d in 1968 Kentucky Derby, dies at 88

By comparison, the Breeders’ Cup Classic purse is $6 million, with $3.12 million to the winner.

Also getting a boost is the Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies run on Derby eve. Its purse will be $1.5 million, a $250,000 increase.

Churchill’s spring meet will feature 50 stakes races worth $25.6 million, an increase of $5.1 million or 25% from last year’s $20.5 million lineup.

“These record purse increases are a symbol of the health of horse racing in Kentucky,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc.

The hikes were made possible by Churchill’s investment in historical horse racing, which boosts the funding for purse money. It is electronic gambling that allows players to bet on replays of horse races that have already been run using terminals that resemble slot machines.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

More:reviews

Recommend

Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictions

Drones for commercial and recreational use have grown rapidly in popularity, despite restrictions on

Saudi Arabia hears dozens of countries critique its human rights record at the UN in Geneva

GENEVA (AP) — Saudi Arabia had its record on human rights including freedoms for women, prosecutions

Bear rescued from bombed-out Ukrainian zoo gets new home in Scotland

London — A victim of Russia's war in Ukraine is finding a new home in Scotland. Yampil, an Asiatic b