Saratoga Slots

- What a difference a year, 1,324 VLT’s, and $82.8 million makes:

With the backstretch at full capacity and purses at their highest level in history, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway will embark on its 64th year of live harness racing on Wednesday, February 2
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With a percentage of the profits from the gaming machines at Saratoga designated for purses, local horsemen raced for over $8 million in 2004 -- a sharp contrast to the $2.9 million paid one year before. Last year's leading driver, Dan Cappello, Jr., drove the winners of $867,383 in 2004, compared to his 2003 total of $491,397, and trainer John Stark, Jr. led all trainers with $376,721 in purses won, compared to 2003 leader Scott Mongeon's $114,315.

[U.S. Trotting Association]

- With jockey Gary Boulanger upgraded from critical to serious, Magna steps up and increases its on-track accident insurance to $500,000 from the standard $100,000. Florida is not among the five states that have workers compensation insurance for jockeys.