The New York Racing Association remained in reduction mode in cutting the purses for 12 races and shelving nine others from its stakes schedule for the Belmont Park and Aqueduct fall meets.

Stakes purses for the two meets will total $8,740,000, down from more than $11.3-million in 2009. NYRA cut $1.4-million from its stakes program for the Belmont spring and summer and Saratoga Race Course meets earlier this year.  

“Our fall stakes programs rank among the tops in the industry and we are looking forward to great racing at Belmont Park and Aqueduct,” NYRA President Charles Hayward said. “The changes that we made to the meets are a reflection of the current economic climate and the nationwide reductions in the horse population.”

Belmont’s Matron Stakes (G2), Futurity Stakes (G2), and Jerome Handicap (G2) have been placed on hiatus this year, along with the Lonesome Glory Steeplechase Stakes, and the Joseph A. Gimma Stakes and Bertram F. Bongard Stakes for New York-breds.

NYRA cut purses for Belmont’s Beldame Stakes (G1), Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1), Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (G1), Empire Classic Stakes, Vosburgh Stakes (G1), Champagne Stakes (G1), Frizette Stakes (G1), Garden City Stakes (G1), and the Mohawk Stakes and Ticonderoga Stakes for New York-breds. The Beldame took the biggest hit, dropping from $600,000 to $350,000.

In 37 dates, Belmont will offer 29 stakes for a total of $6.1-million, down from 34 stakes for $8.1-million in 2009. The Kelso Stakes (G2) on October 3 has been changed from dirt to turf.

Aqueduct loses the New York Stallion Series Cormorant and Perfect Divisions and the Stuyvesant Stakes (G3). The Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) and Gazelle Stakes (G1) both were reduced by $50,000 to $250,000. 

Aqueduct’s 36-day schedule through December 31 includes 22 stakes for a total of $2,640,000, down from 27 stakes for $3,240,000 in 2009.