And just think: For the longest time, NYRA stuck to a 65% winner's share (65-20-10-5) before cutting it to 60% (60-22-12-6) in the 1960s.
The change will take effect with the opening of the Saratoga meet.
http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com...saratoga-meet/
Increased Purses & New Purse Distribution for 2018 Saratoga Meet
All maiden and allowance races, as well as some claiming races, at the 2018 Saratoga meet will get a $2,000 across-the-board purse increase. Maiden special weights will now have a purse of $85,000 and first-level allowance optional claimers will carry a $95,000 purse.
The 2018 meet will also have a new purse distribution allocation. With the exception of any stakes with awards specifically stated in the condition book, all races going forward will pay out as follows: 55% of the total purse to the winner, 20% to second place, 12% to third, 6% to fourth, 4% to fifth, with the remaining 3% divided among the remaining runners.
The new purse distribution will be adjusted from the current breakdown of 60-20-10-5-3% to the top five finishers, respectively, with the remaining 2% divided among the remainder of the field.
