The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will significantly increase purses on overnight races during the fall meet at the new Belmont Park, which will open for live racing Sept. 18, the track said via a Thursday press release.NYRA has increased purses in the open allowance category by 15 percent from $100,000 to $115,000. In addition, first-level optional-claiming events will be offered for $105,000 and second-level optional-claiming races will be offered for $108,000.Maiden special weight races will receive an 18 percent increase from $85,000 to $100,000, while New York-bred maiden special weights will enjoy a 25 percent boost from $80,000 to $100,000.“By raising purses to record levels, NYRA is creating valuable racing opportunities for participants based in New York and those interested in experiencing Belmont Park for the first time,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA SVP, Racing and Operations. “These new purse levels also emphasize the benefits of foaling in New York, which is centrally important to the future of racing in the Empire State.”NYRA will begin a new era with an opening day program anchored by the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, which provides a “Win and You're In” berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic. To celebrate the unveiling, NYRA will increase these record overnight purses by an additional 50 percent specifically for the Sept. 18 program.The consolidation of NYRA's downstate racing operations at Belmont will usher in an expanded fall meet featuring 32 graded events among 72 stakes races worth $17.7 million in total purses. Highlighted by a series of major Saturday race days beginning in September and continuing through Cigar Mile Day on Dec. 5, the fall meet will conclude on Dec. 6.The first Belmont Park fall meet condition book will be released in August.Click here for additional information on overnight purse increases.The post NYRA To Offer Purse Increases On Overnight Races When Belmont Opens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.