BTC summer races to begin on May 20

Bangalore, May 18 (UNI) The 24-day summer races of the Bangalore Turf Club will commence on May 20, with a record stake money of over Rs 16 lakh.

Briefing newspersons here, Club Chairman and Senior Steward Marilingaiah said as many as 825 horses were expected to participate in the meeting as against 737 during the previous summer.

Prominent trainers from Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, besides local would run their wards during the meetings. The piece de resistance would be the Kingfisher Derby with a prize amount of Rs 50 lakh and Rs one lakh trophy on July 9. The other classic races include the Colts Trial Stakes on June 28, Fillies Trial Stakes on June 11 and Bangalore St Leger on July 16.

Replying to queries, he said the track condition was satisfactory following timely rainfall.

Mr Marilingaiah said the level of incentive had been revised after the winter meeting of 2005-06.

He said the estimated outlay for the season would be Rs 9.40 crore over 24 days, covering stakes and incentives, as compared to Rs 8.25 crore paid last summer over 28 days.

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