G1 Coaching Club American Oaks purse will increase to $500,000, contingent on Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Champion Songbird starting in race

ELMONT, N.Y - The New York Racing Association announced today the total purse for the 99th running of the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 24 at Saratoga Race Course will be increased to $500,000 from $300,000 contingent upon 2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Songbird starting in the race.

Should the undefeated and reigning Champion 2-year-old Filly run in the 1 1/8-mile Coaching Club American Oaks, the winner's award would be raised to $300,000 from the current guarantee of $180,000. The sliding scale of awards would increase for the remainder of the field, with $100,000 awarded for second place, $50,000 to third, $25,000 to fourth, $15,000 to fifth place and $10,000 divided equally among the remaining finishers.

"The New York Racing Association is committed to featuring the best horses at each of our racetracks," said Chris Kay, NYRA President and Chief Executive Officer. "We hope [owner] Mr. [Rick] Porter and [trainer] Jerry Hollendorfer will join us at Saratoga and bring their champion filly to compete before the most passionate racing fans in world at historic Saratoga Race Course this summer on Sunday, July 24."

Nominations for the running of the 2016 Coaching Club American Oaks close on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Subscriptions are $300 each. To pass the entry box is $1,500 and an additional $1,500 is required to start in the race.

The Coaching Club American Oaks highlights the opening week of the 148th race meeting at Saratoga Race Course, which begins on Friday, July 22. General admission tickets and season passes for the Saratoga meet are still available and can be obtained by visiting NYRA.com, or by calling 844-NYRA-TIX.