ThistleDown Ohio Derby purse raised
March 13, 2014Thanks in large part to revenue generated by ThistleDown's video lottery terminals, the purse of the Ohio Derby has been raised from $100,000 to $300,000 this year. The Ohio Derby will be run July 19.
The Ohio Derby offered a $300,000 purse from 1989 through 2001 and peaked at $350,000 from 2004 to 2006. The purse was dropped to $100,000 beginning in 2010. Long a Grade 3 race, the Ohio Derby was downgraded to a listed stakes for this year.
ThistleDown opened its casino in April 2013. The Cleveland racino has 1,150 video lottery terminals and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The VLT revenue has resulted in a 28 percent purse increase for this year's meet. Purses will average over $100,000 a day for the first time in track history.
Thistledown will begin its 90th season April 19 and run 122 days through Nov. 16.