Finger Lakes has unveiled a claiming distance series to the line-up for its 2023 season. The series, named after North Warning, the current track record holder at 1 5/8 miles, kicks off June 19 and features three legs and a final, with distance increasing with each leg.
“We're very exciting about the upcoming racing season and the North Warning series,” Racing Secretary Jerry Richards said. “Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack has a long-time history of distance racing and I'm very happy to bring back some semblance from the past.”
The first leg of the series, to be run at one mile and 70 yards, carries a purse of $12,600 added per division, and will be run as a $5,000 claimer. The claiming price increases to $6,250 for leg two and the purse amount moves to $15,000 added. Leg two, scheduled for July 31, is to be run at 1 1/8 miles. The claiming price increases again to $8,000 for leg three and will be run Sept. 11 at the Classic distance of 1 1/4 miles. The purse will grow to $20,000 for that event.
The series final is set for Oct. 23 at one mile and five and a half furlongs and will be run under starter ($8,000 or less) conditions. The purse in the finals is guaranteed at $25,000.
There is a one-time $250 nomination fee, which is due by June 7. All nomination fees will be added to the purse for legs one and two. Supplemental fees will be accepted between June 8 through July 19 and will be added to leg 3. The cost to supplement to the series is $1,000.
Horses earn their way into the final by earning points throughout the preliminary legs with four points for a win, three points for a second, two points for a third and one point for fourth. The top 12-point earners from the preliminary legs make the finals. In the event of a claim, the points follow the horse.
Finger Lakes' 90-day season kicks off Apr. 24 and runs through Nov. 22. First post is 1:15 p.m.
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