Kentucky Downs makes big changes for opening day

FRANKLIN, Ky. – The Kentucky Downs made three huge changes in preparation of their opening day, Sunday, September 5th. 

Vice President of Racing Ted Nicholson said over the course of the week-long race season,  he expects between 15,000 to 18,000 viewers. This is a huge change from 2020 where most spectators were not allowed to watch the matches last year due to the pandemic. 

“We are so thrilled to be able to actually invite guests back here,” Nicholson commented.

Nicholson said this side of the Breeders’ Cup, they probably have the best jockey colony in the country. 

“We’re really excited, because when you can have 10 out of the top 10 jockeys in the U.S. riding here, it’s a feather in our cap,” said Nicholson. 

For the safety of the horses and their riders, the Kentucky Downs majorly renovated their turf course for the the first time in the track’s 31-year history. Last November, the Kentucky Downs dug up ⅝ of a mile of the old grass, leveling the ground underneath and putting in specialized sod. 

Nicholson noted that maintaining the sod is a harder task than grooming a dirt course, but the safety of the horses is their priority. Two well-known horses around these parts will get to experience the all-sod racing next month. 

Got Stormy is coming back to the races. The prized horse just won the Fourstardave in Saratoga just last month. She won here at the Kentucky Downs last year.

Another returner to look out for is Channel Cat. The horse, owned by Bowling Green self-made billionaire Brad Kelley, won at the Kentucky Downs in 2018. Kelley, himself, owned the Kentucky Downs from the late 90s to the early 2000s. The Grade-1 winner will come tackle the million-dollar Calumet Turf Cup.

Also, the Kentucky Downs recently purchased a new, 8,000 square foot chalet. The chalet has air conditioning, a bar, food, and a view in front of the 16th pole.

And the chalet spectators can watch the horses ride in all the way to the all new, revamped winner’s circle.

Nicholson said that the Kentucky Downs has the highest purses in the U.S. He wasn’t content letting the winner’s circle be bested by the grandiose of the purses. 

“We felt like the purse needed to match the winner’s circle. So, we spruced up our winner’s circle to make it really look something special,” said Nicholson.

To purchase your own ticket, visit kentuckydownstickets.com.