Historical Horse Racing Gaming Continues Growth in KY

Historical Horse Racing gaming, revenue from which has contributed to soaring purses in Kentucky, continued to grow across the state in early 2023.

Andy Conway, assistant director of pari-mutuel wagering and compliance for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, told commissioners during the KHRC's April 18 meeting that HHR handle rose to $693 million in February compared to $574 million in same month in 2022. He added that $86 million of this increase can be attributed to the opening of Kentucky Downs' Mint Gaming Hall in Williamsburg, Ky., and Turfway Park's new gaming and grandstand facility in Florence.

March figures were not yet available, Conway added.

Through February across the state, "Fiscal-year historical wagers are at $5.2 billion, representing a $1 billion increase from this time last year," he said.

Commissioners approved committee recommendations to transfer purse money from HHR-flourishing tracks to Ellis Park. Churchill Downs Inc. purchased the Henderson track last year with the intention of expanding its gaming business.

The commission also accepted its committee recommendation to modify some KHRC rules, with one change removing some language from the joint ownership section that limits the number of individuals who can be licensed as owners of a single horse.

KHRC chief veterinarian Nick Smith reported six musculoskeletal racing fatalities during the recently concluded 2023 meet at Turfway from 3,903 starts, a ratio of 1.54 per 1,000 starts. There were five training fatalities, of which three were musculoskeletal and two were considered sudden deaths, he noted.