Kentucky Derby Increases Total '19 Purse By $1M

The purse for the Kentucky Derby will increase to $3M, up from $2M last year, "starting with this year’s 145th running on May 4." The $1M increase is a "result of returns from the historical racing machines at Derby City Gaming." It also marks the "first increase for the Kentucky Derby purse" since '05. First place in the Derby will now earn $1.86M, while the "other two jewels of the Triple Crown series, the Preakness and Belmont, both offer" purses of $1.5M (COURIER-JOURNAL.com, 1/10).