Kentucky Downs handle sets record; meet titles are shared

Kentucky Downs ended its 33rd meet Wednesday with a new record for wagering during the seven race days.

Handle totaled $90,181,408 and up nearly 8 percent over last year, when the all-sources figure was $83,640,261. That included a single-day record of $21,184,941 on the Saturday showcase card featuring six graded stakes worth $2 million for Kentucky-breds and $1 million for others. The old single-day record of $21,065,982 was set for the comparable card Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

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The fierce competition among America’s best jockeys and trainers continued up until the meet’s very last race. That was when Tyler Gaffalione and Brendan Walsh teamed to win a 2-year-old maiden race with first-time starter Isle of Capri to secure their shares of the riding and training titles, respectively.

Gaffalione finished with nine wins to pull even with Irad Ortiz Jr.

Walsh’s sixth victory put him in a tie for leading trainer with Joe Sharp and Steve Asmussen.

Ken Ramsey won the fourth race with Ramsey Pond for a meet-leading three wins, giving him a record 10th Kentucky Downs owners title.

Closing day was highlighted Wednesday by Frankie Dettori sweeping the inaugural $440,000 Nashville Gold Cup aboard Limited Liability and the $1.6 million Pepsi Dueling Grounds Oaks on Kathynmarissa.