'Stepping up'? Churchill applies to build new Kentucky track

Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Thursday that it will file an application with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission requesting to host a 2020 winter Thoroughbred racing meet at historic Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky as the company constructs New Latonia Racing & Gaming, an up to $200 million proposed live and historical racing and year-round training facility in northern Kentucky, to host Thoroughbred racing in future years.

The application requests that NKYRG, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CDI, be issued a racing license to conduct live Thoroughbred racing in January through March and in December 2020, pursuant to a lease agreement between NKYRG and CDRT. 

Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., currently holds those race dates.

Churchill Downs termed allocation of these 2020 race dates to NKYRG as a critical, short-term measure to support the Thoroughbred racing circuit in Kentucky. CDI expects that awarding these 2020 race dates to NKYRG will lead to significantly increased purses and pari-mutuel handle.

If approved by the KHRC, upon completion of the new racing facility, these race dates would permanently move to the proposed New Latonia facility. A location was not disclosed.

“Churchill Downs is stepping up to protect and grow Kentucky’s Thoroughbred racing circuit,” said Kevin Flanery, President of CDRT. “Our willingness to make a sizeable investment in the neglected northern Kentucky market is our latest effort to improve Kentucky’s valuable horse racing and agriculture industries.”

Phase One of the proposed New Latonia facility represents an up to $150 million economic development project for northern Kentucky anticipated to create nearly 400 direct full- and part-time equivalent positions and an estimated 800 direct construction jobs. Aspects of Phase One of the project include a historical racing machine facility featuring up to 1,500 machines, a state-of-the-art clubhouse, food/beverage venues, one-mile synthetic main race track, inner dirt track and stabling facilities.

CDI expects New Latonia will remain open year-round as a training facility to support the Thoroughbred racing circuit across the Commonwealth. Phase Two of the proposed project may include the addition of a hotel, with an incremental investment of up to $50 million.

“Just as Derby City Gaming’s historical racing machines have supercharged purses at Churchill Downs Racetrack, we plan to do the same for northern Kentucky’s racing fans at New Latonia,” said Flanery. “Our goal is to deliver an ultra-competitive racing product with more entries and high-quality horses that appeal to bettors and horseplayers nationwide.”