Purses increase at Charles Town Races
By DAVE McMILLION / Staff Writer, Charles Town
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Purses at Charles Town Races are continuing to climb, a racing official said Tuesday.
The track's management and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have said that the top purse for each race would increase to $22,000.
Currently, the top purse is limited to $20,000, said Dick Watson, president of the horsemen's group.
The purse increase is an indicator of the overall success at the track since Penn National Gaming Inc. took over the oval in 1996, Watson said.
For the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2000, gamblers played $936 million in credits on slot machines at the track, which has helped to increase purses.