Railside Tailgating One of KY Downs' Many Unique Traits

In BloodHorse's "At the Track" monthly column, we take a look at some of the unique experiences, events, ideas, facilities, or hospitality options racetracks across the country are using to help increase attendance, experiences, wagering, and connections with racing fans new and old.

Any mention of Kentucky Downs typically leads to a comment or longer conversation about high dollar amounts. That, of course, is thanks to the booming purses the track has been able to offer since the legalization of historical horse racing machines, purses that annually attract top turf horses and their connections from across the nation and around the world.

However, one of the most unique aspects of the racing days—at a track known for its many differences from the rest of American tracks—has a dollar amount assigned to it of zero.

That section comes at the top of the long stretch: the general admission section where fans can watch the top-level turf racing free of charge. Still, it's not just any regular general admission section, but it offers the opportunity for trackside tailgating.

Tailgating is an important piece of sports culture. Although most prominent before football games, it is not completely foreign to racetracks. Keeneland, in Lexington, often sees tailgaters in its parking lots on race days during its spring and fall meets.

However, whether at Keeneland or a football stadium, the tailgating only occurs before the event begins. If you want to actually see the game or race, you have to pack up your car and head inside.

That's where the Franklin, Ky., track is different. At Kentucky Downs, just bring your car straight up to the rail and keep the tailgate going throughout the card.

"You can be tailgating with your own food and car and be able to bet," Kentucky Downs senior vice president and general manager Ted Nicholson said. "Any time you can give a casual racegoer a front-row seat to your sport for free is something that we feel is important."

The view is unique, that corner of the far turn being elevated above the rest of the track, offering more of a grand view of the whole course. Plus, it's positioning between the three-eighths and eighth poles puts the viewer at the stage of the race where the horses begin to get called on; the sound of thundering hooves, flying crops, and yelling riders filling the ears prior to hearing the sound of the stretch-lined crowd roar as the horses move away from you.

"You have to feel like you're at Wrigley Field right on top of the action," Nicholson said.

Seeing who wins from that angle can be tough, so a big screen in the infield helps patrons see the final result. Mobile wagering windows allow bets to be placed, restrooms are available, and the hotel and HHR gaming area are the backdrop if needed to cool off in the air conditioning.

Cars, lawn chairs, and tents line this corner of the track, creating a backyard party atmosphere, while also creating an intriguing backdrop to the races.

As Nicholson pointed out, the main benefit of tailgating at the track is being able to bring your own food and supplies. In an era where attendees of sporting events often feel gouged by pricing at concessions stands, being able to tailgate within the actual grounds of the event helps keep money in the wallet, which then will be opened to a larger effect at the betting windows.

"It's just a lot of fun. They get the full experience even though they're not at the wire," Nicholson said. "A lot of people just enjoy that, they enjoy the experience.

"There are a lot of people that will pull their cars up first thing in the morning because they want to be the closest to the rail. Others that are more casual might come a half hour before the first race. There were a few years where we actually had people camping out overnight. You never know what you're going to get with the uniqueness of Kentucky Downs."

The final furlong is where the ticketed options are, with chalet and dining areas set up for those who want a more refined experience or access to the paddock. However, just like many racetracks, there is a benefit to balancing higher-end and lower-end pricing options as each individual has different expectations and desires for their race-day experience.

"When you go to a football game, you have your options of whether you want to be on the 50-yard line and pay X, or be up in the nosebleeds for a lesser price. It's all in what your expectations are," Nicholson said. "That's the beauty of offering variety, because variety is what everybody wants. You want to have that option of being able to enjoy what you like."

For a lot of sports fans, their favorite part is the hanging outside the stadium, eating their own food while enjoying time with the friends and family that come with them. Kentucky Downs is a rare opportunity to keep that experience trackside throughout the entire event. Sure, general admission spaces that are cheap or free are a part of almost every racetrack. However, the ability to railside tailgate is a feature that gives the general admission experience a unique identity, much like the backyard area at Saratoga Race Course.

Of course at Saratoga, if you want to see the races you do have to leave the backyard and walk out to the apron. Meanwhile at Kentucky Downs, you can lounge back in your seat, stick your chips in some dip, and check your wagering tickets as you watch top-level horses and riders thunder by your car.