Horse Racing

Kentucky Downs into ‘Double Down’ in pursuit of G1 status


Following decisions from the US Classified Equity Commission this week, Kentucky Downs continue to add to his list of classified shares. With the enhanced Mint Ladies Sprint Stakes (G2T) and the Music City Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-olds taking the graded rating, the Kentucky Downs now have nine graded stakes for the all-pull meet. seven days long.

But racetrack management admits to deep disappointment that the Kentucky Downs are still waiting to be awarded its first tier 1 stakes, which are designated as the best in the US. To attract more 1st place winners to its staking program, the Kentucky Downs last year pledged to increase the total amount available to $1 million, including Kentucky-brewed wallet additions. , for any of the three bets if the 1st place winner competes. It’s the carrot that attracts 1st graders Bell Flower and dalika to the track in Franklin, Ky., where they won the Ladies Sprint and the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G2T) respectively.

Because they are not Kentucky mixed-race and are not eligible for the Kentucky Purebred Development Fund incentives, the budget for those races does not reach $1 million.

“We did everything we would expect to get one of our level 2 races across the finish line to level 1 stature,” said Ted Nicholson, vice president of racing for Kentucky Downs. “That said, we will double by 2023 in our commitment to put our shares first. We are determined not only to become a popular destination for American horses, but also to increase our fundraising efforts. smoking horses abroad.”

Ladies Sprint is one of only four currently classified shares in the country to be promoted and one of only three to be ranked 2. Music City is among only four new tier 3 events.

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The 2023 Fan Duel Meet at the Kentucky Downs will feature four 2nd place races. Other bets are the $1 million Kentucky Turf Cup (G2T) Bet on older horses at 1 1/2 miles, the FanDuel Bet. $1 million Turf Sprint (G2T) and $600,000 Franklin-Simpson (G2T) Bet for a 3-year-old sprinter.

Next year’s race season spans over seven days from August 31 to September 13.

“We’re certainly pleased to have been awarded an eighth-class stake over the past seven years,” Nicholson said. “And it’s been a pleasure to achieve a classified position for a race as young as Music City, a race that clearly fills a gap in the national stakes schedule. It all speaks to the tremendous support that we have received.” we got it from the owner and the coach.”

The Kentucky Downs are coming up with another record-breaking game with a record bet of $80,175,928 over seven days and part of another, with heavy rain forcing the card to be postponed for one weekend and part of the day. is different. A record $17,863,177 was paid to horse owners with wallets and KTDF supplements. Kentucky Downs wallets are growing on the back of historic horse racing revenue.

The Kentucky Downs’ short-term encounter had a huge impact on Breeders’ Cup spots in 2022. The 23 horses that competed in the Kentucky Downs, including the 18 that ran this year, were entered out of 14. Breeders’ Cup race on November 4-5 at Keeneland. To put it simply: Of the 177 horses that competed in the Breeders’ Cup, 10.7% ran at this year’s Kentucky Downs; A total of $13 has run on the track at least once in the last three encounters.

To elaborate on those numbers: 16 horses out of 101 entries — 15.8% — in seven Breeders’ Cup field races took part in the 2022 Kentucky Downs meeting.

The Rise of the Kentucky Downs . Classified Share Program

2001—Calumet Turf Cup becomes 3rd place

2017—Ladies Turf becomes 3rd place

—FanDuel Turf Sprint becomes 3rd place

2018—Ladies Sprint becomes 3rd place

2019 —Franklin-Simpson becomes a 3rd grader

2021—WinStar Mint Million becomes level 3

—Calumet Turf Cup becomes 2nd place

—Franklin-Simpson becomes a 2nd grader

2022—Big Ass Fans Derby Dueling Grounds becomes 3rd place

—AGS Ladies Marathon becomes 3rd place

—FanDuel Turf Sprint becomes 2nd place

2023—Mint Ladies Sprint becomes 2nd place

—Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey Music City comes in at #3

This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.

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