Charles Town increases purse for its ‘Classic’

The Grade II Charles Town Classic thoroughbred race will carry a purse of $1.5 million next year. Instead of the usual 60 percent of the purse going to the winner, next year’s “Classic” champion will earn $1 million. The “Classic” had a $1 million purse in 2012 and the $500,000 increase in money is expected to bring a complete 10-horse field of graded stakes winners to the April event.

The “Classic” will be run on April 20, 2013 at 1 1/8 miles.

The $1.5 million purse makes the “Classic” the third-richest race in the United States behind only the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup.

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