CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONS NIGHT RICHEST EVER

COURTESY OF LOS ALAMITOS


'07 CHAMPIONS NIGHT TO BE RICHEST EVER

The Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Board of Directors announced its commitment to adding $150,000 to the overall purse structure of Quarter Horse races at Los Alamitos in 2007, of which $90,563 has been earmarked for this year's California Breeders Champions Night. To be contested on Saturday, July 28, Champions Night now promises to have its richest night in its eight-year history, as total purses would reach $1.1 million based on 10-horse fields.

The purse money dedicated to Champions Night will be split in two ways. For the first time ever, every official Quarter Horse starter that runs on Champions Night is guaranteed to earn a minimum of $600, a sum that should be enough to cover costs of medications, pony fee, jockey fee, etc. In previous years only the Spencer Childers California Breeders Championship Handicap, Governor's Cup Futurity and Governor's Cup Derby paid to horses finishing sixth or lower on Champions Night. The $600 guarantee alone represents $30,562 in higher purses for Champions Night based on 10-horse fields.

Secondly, the Board of Directors has increased the added money for five of the major stakes races to be contested on July 28, including three stakes that will see their purses go from $25,000 added to $40,000. The Jens L. List Jr. Memorial California Breeders Stakes for 3-year-olds at 400 yards, the Freshman Stakes for 2-year-olds at 350 yards and the Sprint Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at 350 yards will each now offer $40,000 in added money. As previously stated, every horse that finishes sixth through 10th will earn the aforementioned $600 guarantee in addition to running for greater added money.

The 550-yard Sophomore Stakes has also enjoyed a purse boost, going from a $25,000 added money race to become a $35,000 added money race. The added money for the 870-yard Marathon Stakes for 3-year-olds and upwards has also been increased, going from $25,000 to $30,000.

The top California-bred sprinters in the country will be in action on Champions Night, as this all-stakes program will once again feature signature races such as the $150,000 Spencer Childers California Breeders Championship Handicap for 3-year-olds and upward at 400 yards, the $400,000 estimated Governor's Cup Futurity at 350 yards, and the $180,000 estimated Governor's Cup Derby at 400 yards. Champions Night also features the $50,000 Matron Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward fillies and mares.

In addition to the aforementioned nine stakes races, Champions Night will offer six additional claiming stakes races for different age divisions and at different distances. Thanks to the $600 guarantee per starter, this six claiming races will offer $16,761 more than last year based on 10 starters. The two straightaway races for $10,000 claimers - one for 3-year-olds and one for 3-year-olds and upwards - will each offer a $20,662 purse, which is double the amount of an overnight race for this level.

Over the years, California Breeders Champions Night has offered over $6.2 million in purses on the way to becoming one of the premiere nights of Quarter Horse racing in the nation. Superstar champions like A Ransom, Corona Kool, Be A Bono, Ocean Runaway, Sign Of Lanty, Your First Moon, Catchmeinyourdreams and Separatist among the standouts that have performed on Champions Night.

"The PCQHRA Board of Directors is proud of the success and remarkable history that California Breeders Champions Night has cultivated in its first seven years," said PCQHRA President Bud Alessio. "Our great horsemen have worked hard to maintain California as an ever-present leader in the sport of Quarter Horse racing and Champions Night is a celebration of that work.

"The PCQHRA Board of Directors will continue to find creative ways to strengthen Champions Night position as one of the showcase events in Quarter Horse racing. We believe that the $600 guarantee per starter and the added money in stakes races is destined to raise the level of excitement for this year's event to a higher plateau."

In addition to the $90,563 dedicated to Champions Night, the PCQHRA Board of Directors will add $59,437 to general overnight purse account of Quarter Horse races at Los Alamitos.