by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway has announced across the board purse increases as well as condition changes, both taking effect the week of Monday, June 27.

Beginning next week, the purse scale ranges from $12,000 for the bottom condition and bottom claimers to $52,000 for the three weekly Open Handicaps (Trot, Pace, Filly and Mare Pace). The current purse range is $10,000 to $43,000.

Also next week, the “also eligible, optional claimers” have been eliminated from all of the usual accompanying classes, save for the filly and mare pacing classes where the “optional tag” currently exists.

Also, every claiming class $20,000 and higher now includes a 2011 earnings max.

“We’re always striving to put out the most competitive racing product possible,” general manager Bob Galterio said. “The purse increase and changes in our conditions are our latest efforts to do just that.”

As always, the current condition sheet is available online at www.yonkersraceway.com (go to “racing” icon). For more information, please contact the race office at 914.457.2627.

Yonkers’ regular five night per week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) remains in effect. First post for all racing programs is 7:10 p.m. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.