Kentucky Downs' meet launches with simulcast improvements
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The Runhappy Meet at Kentucky Downs that begins Saturday is keeping it simple: Just improve the successful formula that has made the track one of horse racing’s biggest success stories of the past decade.
America’s fastest five days of racing continues on Sept. 5, 7, 8 and 12, as Kentucky Downs embarks on its first meet under the new ownership led by noted horseman and entrepreneur Ron Winchell and prominent gaming executive Marc Falcone. Post time for the first of 10 turf races has been moved up to 12:15 p.m. CT. General admission and parking are free.
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“For horseplayers, we’re really not trying to change anything,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs’ senior vice president and general manager. “We’ve got a great product that seems to be well-received over the past few years. So we’re not changing wagering formats. We’re not changing takeout. We have some of the highest purses in the world and have gone higher, especially in the stakes. We’re going to have full fields, and everybody loves grass racing.
"So we’re hoping for an even more successful meet and to continue to stair-step our handle every year. We’re very optimistic we’re going to have another strong meet, weather permitting.”
"So we’re hoping for an even more successful meet and to continue to stair-step our handle every year. We’re very optimistic we’re going to have another strong meet, weather permitting.”
Kentucky Downs is scheduled to pay out $11.5 million to horse owners, which doesn’t include the $750 per starter paid out to every horse finishing sixth through last in non-stakes races. Kentucky Downs last year averaged just more than 11 horses per race, highest in North America. The purse money also doesn’t include the $5 million that Kentucky Downs generated through its historical horse racing gaming operation that was transferred to Ellis Park in an agreement between Kentucky Downs and its horsemen’s group, the Kentucky HBPA.
At $2.3 million, which includes purse supplements from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, Kentucky Downs offers the largest average daily purses anywhere in the world with the exception of Japan.
Kentucky Downs also offers among the lowest takeout rates — the amount taken off the top of each dollar bet that goes toward purses, state taxes and the track’s cut — in North America. The track in 2018 smashed its handle record for the sixth straight year, with a total of $36,421,722 wagered on the five days. The total tops by 20 percent last year’s $30,246,888. Consider that Kentucky Downs set a betting record in 2013 of $12,814,891, and wagering has almost tripled in the intervening five years.
Those watching the races remotely or on monitors at the track should notice significant improvement in the broadcast quality. Nicholson brought in veteran sports broadcast producer David Loignon, who has extensive background in horse racing from working at TVG and Churchill Downs Inc.’s simulcasting network, to direct the television production.
“The biggest thing I get from race fans is that our simulcast, TV production has not been that stellar,” Nicholson said. “A big focus for me in the offseason was to put together a team and plan that would improve what we’re sending out. David is going to be able to bring in some network-quality cameramen. That coupled with his expertise of what the horseplayer wants to see — and when — will really enhance the look of our TV production.”
Loignon said Kentucky Downs presents challenges “because it is a very wide track and it’s uniquely shaped for a U.S. track. Normal camera placement doesn’t necessarily work, so you have to be a little creative with that. One of the cool things we’ve done is that we’ve added a camera in the lower paddock, so we’ll be able to give people a lot better look at the horses leading up to each race.
“I produced the Breeders’ Cup simulcast, and I’m trying to bring in some of the same philosophy: It’s horses. It’s not faces. A little less on the graphics, let’s show people the horses as much as we can whenever we can. That’s been the biggest thing.”
Nicholson walked Kentucky Downs’ 1 5/16-mile, kidney-shaped course with its elevation changes, unique right-hand bend that leads into a sharp left turn and a long dog-legged stretch. He compares it with the pristine condition of Arlington Park’s turf course on Arlington Million Day, a track where he worked for almost a decade.
“Honestly, the turf course condition is the best I’ve ever seen it,” Nicholson said. “There are no weeds. We did get a lot of rain Tuesday night, three inches. But with all the sun, wind and breeze, it will be in phenomenal shape for Saturday.”
Kentucky Downs put in a new jockey quarters and completely overhauled and expanded the media and racing officials stand. The popular Finish Line Pavilion is joined by an open-air tent to expand seating from 300 to 400. After each of 14 stakes, the winning owners will be feted with a champagne toast in the Runhappy Lounge, where they can watch replays of their horse’s big performances.
“Every year that I’ve been there, four years now, we’ve tried to improve different aspects of our operation,” Nicholson said. “It takes a little while, but I think slowly but surely we’ve been able to improve in just about every aspect. I’m always excited to hear feedback, and guests are never shy.
“Unfortunately, you blink and the meet is over.”
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