Increased FL-Bred Funds to Sweeten Gulfstream Purses

Gulfstream Park announced Friday it will increase purses of maiden special weight, allowance, and open stakes races using money from the Florida-Bred Incentive Fund beginning Jan. 1. Gulfstream has increased the FBIF from $5,000 to $10,000 for all maiden special weight and allowance races, increased maiden optional claimers from $43,000 to $50,000, and added $25,000 to all open stakes purses of $150,000 or less. Stephen Screnci, president of 1/ST Racing, said additional FBIF money will be used in the months ahead. "The FBIF funds have allowed Gulfstream Park to continue offering Florida-bred restricted races through the Championship Meet. For the last Championship Meet we paid out approximately $1.3 million." Screnci said. Gulfstream races five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, beginning Jan. 7. There will be live racing on Christmas Eve. Gulfstream will be dark Christmas Day and reopen with live racing Friday, Dec. 26.