Horse Racing News on March 16, 2010

In a news release Tuesday, the Maryland Jockey Club announced the Grade 1 Pimlico Special and the Grade 2 Allaire duPont Distaff have been put on hiatus due to a purse shortage.

Aside from boosting its overnight purses to projected record levels, Monmouth Park also will increase the gross payout in New Jersey stakes purses in 2010, officials at the Oceanport, N.J., track announced Tuesday.

The complexion of Saturday's Grade 1 Florida Derby took a dramatic turn late Tuesday afternoon when owner Ahmed Zayat said Eskendereya would not run in the race and instead would be pointed to the Grade 1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 3.