81st Ohio Derby to be worth $500,000

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - ThistleDown Racino announced Wednesday that the Ohio Derby has received a purse increase of $200,000 to $500,000.

The 1 1/16-mile Ohio Derby will be held on Saturday, June 20. Last year's renewal was won by East Hall, ridden by Juan Leyva. As recently as 2013 the Ohio Derby had a purse of just $100,000.

In 1996, Skip Away won the race on his way to being named the year's champion 3-year-old colt and gelding and one year before he won the Eclipse Award as champion older male racehorse.