Coastal Raises MassCap Purse to $5 Million

Two of the best Thoroughbreds in the world will each receive a $1 million participation bonus in this year’s Massachusetts Handicap (MassCap) as Coastal Development LLC chairman, Richard Fields, announced that his company is giving additional money to raise the purse to a whopping $5 million. However, the sum will only be given away if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown, and both he and Curlin, 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, will remain unbeaten this year and compete in the MassCap against one another.

The first MassCap Thoroughbred horse race was held on the 16th of October in 1935. Currently, race distance is set at 1 1/8 miles and the regular prize money is placed at $500,000. It is one of the 5 races included in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” Classic Division.

Fields believes that raising the purse money and offering a participation bonus is a great incentive if both horses are to go head to head. He further discloses that if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown, but one or both horses are beaten in 2008, the purse will drop to $3 million, but each Thoroughbred will still receive a $500,000 participation bonus.

Fields is responsible for the resurrection of Suffolk Downs, after he purchased the Thoroughbred racing venue last year. Prior to Fields’ purchase, the MassCap was cancelled due mainly to Suffolk Downs’ financial woes.

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