Churchill Downs, Keeneland jointly propose harness racing

WKY Development, LLC – a joint venture between Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Keeneland Association – filed an application Tuesday with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission requesting live standardbred racing dates at CDI’s old Louisville Downs racing venue in Louisville for 2019 and in 2020 at its proposed venue in Oak Grove, Ky.

This historic partnership between CDI and Keeneland is designed to strengthen and grow the standardbred racing circuit in Kentucky following last year’s closure of Thunder Ridge racetrack in Prestonsburg, Ky.

The application is for a 10-day standardbred race meet in 2019 at CDI’s old Louisville Downs racing venue located at the new Derby City Gaming facility in Louisville. If approved, CDI and Keeneland will solely fund these purses, as there has been no prior pari-mutuel activity to generate purse revenue for this meet.

The 2019 meet is a critical, short-term measure to support the standardbred racing circuit and bridge the gap to future races in 2020 at the new Oak Grove racing venue. 

If approved by the KHRC, beginning in 2020 live standardbred racing would permanently move to the proposed Oak Grove venue in Christian County, building larger purses in the process. 

“Reissuing the Thunder Ridge racetrack license to Churchill Downs and Keeneland for immediate use is the right and responsible thing to do for Kentucky’s horse racing industry,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “The closure of Thunder Ridge racetrack was a significant hit to horse racing in the Commonwealth, but Churchill Downs and Keeneland are stepping up to address it and ensure the continuation of a strong racing circuit.” 

“Bringing standardbred racing to Louisville in 2019 and then to Christian County in 2020 and beyond is critical to maintain Kentucky’s preeminent status as the horse racing capital of the world,” added Vince Gabbert, Vice President and COO of Keeneland. “We are optimistic the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will approve our application to ensure the standardbred horse racing circuit continues to thrive in the Commonwealth.” 

The proposed facility in Oak Grove represents a $125 million economic development project for Christian County, creating nearly 400 direct full and part time equivalent positions and an estimated 800 direct construction jobs.

Aspects of the project include a historical racing machine facility featuring up to 1,500 machines, a 125-room hotel with event center and food/beverage venues, a 1,200-person capacity grandstand and event space for indoor events, a 3,000-person capacity outdoor amphitheater and stage, and a state-of-the-art equestrian center including indoor and outdoor arenas. 

“The loss of Standardbred racing at Thunder Ridge has created a gaping hole in the Kentucky racing circuit,” said the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s Foster Northrup. “At a time when other states are increasing purses, the Kentucky racing industry needs to take immediate action to re-issue the Thunder Ridge license which will lead to increases in both Standardbred and Thoroughbred purses. The time to act is now to get Kentucky’s signature industry back as the dominant force of racing in this country.”