Bigger purses have changed the claiming game, presenting challenges – and opportunities – for both horsemen and racetracks.
Starting December 1, the takeout on Charles Town’s Pick 4 wagers will drop from 22 percent to a low 15 percent.
The annual Sam Huff Charity Breakfast kicks off West Virginia Breeders Classics day October 8 while helping the local community.
The resurfacing of Charles Town’s racing strip – already troubled by the discovery of rocks in the surface – is being further delayed by steady rain the last two weeks.
Charles Town will renew its support for CANTER Mid-Atlantic with a Classic day check presentation.
Charles Town will cancel its Thursday evening program because of a hole on the outside rail of the track caused by a drainage leak.
Charles Town posted record per-race handle in 2015, but the number of races carded fell 14 percent versus 2014.
Charles Town’s 2016 stakes schedule will be highlighted by the G2 Charles Town Classic, G3 Charles Town Oaks, and 16 races for WV-breds.
Paul Espinosa, 26, will become the full-time announcer at Charles Town Races in 2016, the track announced.
Longtime Charles Town track announcer Jeff Cernik is no longer filling that role, and the track is using a rotation until a permanent replacement is found.