A $25,000 purse increase will be applied to a quartet of stakes races at Laurel Park for De Francis Dash Day June 27, the Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced Monday.The Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash is now worth $175,000, while the Deputed Testamony Stakes, Alma North Stakes, and Japan Racing Association Turf Cup each offer $125,000 in purses.The Japan Racing Association Turf Cup, run at 1 1/8 miles on turf, highlights the close relationship between TMJC and the Japan Racing Association (JRA). On Mar. 7, Bill Knauf, president and general manager of TMJC, was on hand at Nakayama Racecourse to present the winner's trophy for the G3 Laurel Park Sho Nakayama Himba Stakes. A JRA representative is expected to attend June 27 at Laurel Park.Nominations for the four stakes races close Saturday, June 13.The post Laurel Raises Stakes Purses for De Francis Dash Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.