Racetracks are spared the worst of Kentucky tornadoes

The racing industry was largely spared the worst of the severe weather that swept through parts of Kentucky late Friday night through early Saturday morning. No tracks were hit by the tornados, which swept through four states and ravaged parts of western Kentucky.

Kentucky Downs, in Franklin, Ky., sits less than 30 miles south of Bowling Green, which suffered significant destruction as a result of the weather. However, the track was not impacted, Kentucky Downs representative Jennie Rees confirmed.

Another track that survived a near-miss was Ellis Park, which sits on the north side of Henderson, Ky. The tornados passed to the south of Henderson.

Ellis Park previously suffered significant damage in a 2005 tornado that struck the Henderson area. That event impacted the grandstand, as well as housing facilities, and several horses were killed.

Most of Kentucky’s Thoroughbred breeding operations were unaffected by the event, as Lexington was not in the path of the tornadoes. The largest tornado traveled over 220 miles through four states, originating in Arkansas, though the Hot Springs area, where Oaklawn sits, was not in its path.

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association has begun a crowdfunding effort to support victims of the tornadoes. That fund can be found here.