Kentucky Downs' 2018 meet at a glance: All you need to know
Entries will be taken Tuesday for a major opening day card for Kentucky Downs' five-day 2018 live racing meet. Already, nominations and past performances are in for a slew of stakes, which on Saturday will be headlined by the $750,000 Tourist Mile.
Here's what to know about the all-turf meet at a track known for offering the largest average daily purses in America:
Location: 5629 Nashville Road, Franklin, Ky., just off Interstate 65 exit 2 on the Kentucky-Tennessee border.
What: America’s most unique race meet over a 1 5/16-mile European-style turf course. Simulcasting is available seven days a week, as well as pari-mutuel wagering on Historical Horse Racing, charitable gaming, dining and other events.
Live racing dates: Sept. 1, 6, 8, 9 and 13.
What’s new: The $500,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint, created as a prep for the new $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Pick 4 takeout drops from 19 to 14 percent. Top of the Stretch Chalet adds a fourth reserved-seating venue.
On the air: TVG's Scott Hazelton will be broadcasting on site Sept. 6 and 8, with Caton Bredar filing reports for TVG on the other days. Santa Anita television host Megan Devine joins Bredar and Gary West as track analysts, with Dick Downey of the Downey Profile providing his selections on kentuckydowns.com/racing. Catch our segments on RaceDayLasVegas.com every race day (10:15 a.m. CT on weekends; 9:15 a.m. CT Thursdays), with our analysts talking with Ralph Siraco.
Purses: $10 million offered for the five days, a $2 million daily average that is among the highest in the world. Fourteen stakes ranging from $250,000 to $750,000 and including four graded stakes.
Wagering menu (bet, with minimum wager and takeout rate): Exacta ($1, 18.25%), Trifecta ($.50, 19%), Superfecta ($0.10, 19%) every race; rolling Double ($1, 19%) races 1-9; rolling Pick 3 ($0.50, 19%) races 1-8; Pick 4 ($0.50, 14%), races 2 and 7; Pick 5 ($0.50, 14%) races 1 and 6; Super Hi-5 ($0.50, 19%) race 10.
First post: 1:25 p.m. CT
Admission: Free (reserved seating available in Finish Line Pavilion, Turf Club Tent, Director’s Room and Top of the Stretch Chalet, including buffet and access to private cash bar and mutuel windows.
Parking: Free (valet available for $5 in front of main building; complimentary for Players Club Gold and Platinum members). Free tailgating lot at the top of the stretch.
Phone: 270.586.7778
Website: www.KentuckyDowns.com
Social media: Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat @KyDownsRacing. Facebook.com/KyDownsGaming.
Stakes: Saturday, Sept. 1 — $750,000 Tourist Mile, 3yo & up, mile; $400,000 Exacta Systems Juvenile, 2yo fillies, mile; $400,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile, 2yo, mile; $250,000 One Dreamer (non-winners of a stakes in 2018), fillies & mares 3yo & up, mile and 70 yards. Thursday, Sept. 6— $250,000 Old Friends (non-winners of a stakes in 2018), 3yo & up, mile and 70 yards. Saturday, Sept. 8 — $750,000 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup (G3), 3yo & up, 1 1/2 miles; $500,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3), 3yo & up, mile; $500,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G3), 3yo &up, 6 1/2 furlongs; $500,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint, 2yos, 6 1/2 furlongs; $450,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint (G3), fillies and mares 3yo & up, 6 1/2 furlongs. Sunday, Sept. 9 — $400,000 Exacta Systems Dueling Grounds Derby, 3yos, 1 5/16 miles; $300,000 Dueling Grounds Oaks, 3yo fillies, 1 5/16 miles. Thursday, Sept. 13 —$400,000 Ramsey Farm, fillies and mares 3yo &up, 1 5/16 miles; $300,000 Franklin-Simpson, 3yo, 6 1/2 furlongs.