Rockingham raises bottom purse level
August 14, 2009,by Lynne Snierson
Salem NH — With full fields generating an uptick in the total handle this season, Rockingham Park has been able to raise purses slightly.
Through the end of the 2009 live harness meet, which concludes on Sunday, August 30th, the bottom level purse allotment has been increased from $2,500 to $2,900.
“We’re trying to help the horsemen from now through the end of the meet,” said Ed Callahan, Rockingham’s president and general manager.
In racing action on Friday, Brad Irvine had a big day, winning four races which included a $113.20 winner on the 11-event card.
All four of Irvine’s victorious horses were conditioned by different trainers. Irvine, currently ranked fourth in the leading driver standings, won with Jack’s Gameboy ($113.20) for Joel Wheeler in the fourth race, Annual Dues ($2.40) for Kathy LaFreniere in the sixth, Camsurge ($4.20) for Jamie Silva, Jr. in the ninth, and Power Drive ($5.40) for Fred Cohen in the featured $5,000 trot in the 10th.
When Camsurge, a 13-year-old gelded son of Cam Fella and the last foal of that renowned sire, paced home in 1:52.2, it was his 63rd victory from 370 lifetime trips over the track. Camsurge has now won five of his 24 tries this year and four of the wins have come at The Rock this season.