MI: Hazel Park cuts purses for second time this month

Daily Racing Form

Hazel Park Raceway announced a 5 percent purse reduction on Tuesday, effective July 10, marking the track’s second purse cut in the last month.

The Detroit-area racetrack previously scaled back overnight purses by 15 percent on June 12, citing a decline in purse-fund revenue from simulcast wagering.

“It’s the same basic reason,” said Ladd Biro, Hazel Park’s director of racing. “We’re just making sure we have enough money to get through the end of the meet.”

Offtrack handle in Michigan was dealt a considerable blow when one of its three remaining simulcast venues, Sports Creek Harness Raceway, closed at the end of 2014. Mount Pleasant Meadows in central Michigan was shuttered earlier that year, though its simulcast contributions were negligible compared to the state’s other tracks.

Biro said Hazel Park’s management has been working toward expanding its simulcast signal to new outlets in order to bring the purse pool closer to its original levels.

Among the desired targets is exposure on the television network HRTV, which Biro said has gained the ability to expand its selection of tracks since being purchased by its primary competitor, TVG. Because HRTV now serves as an alternate to TVG instead of airing tracks head-to-head, Biro hoped HRTV could make room for Hazel Park on the broadcast schedule.

“They’re providing some additional outlets, which is good,” Biro said. “Although it’s tough to bat first string, which we couldn’t do with TVG, I’m hoping we could generate some interest because the prices have been good and the fields have been good, and they will provide some exposure that way and some additional gaming as well.”

The track also announced in Friday’s overnight that starter fees would be reduced from $350 to $250 beginning July 10.