Compromise Sought on KY Downs Dates Request

Regulators, as well as potentially affected track officials, had no easy answer Oct. 6 for Kentucky Downs' request to add two days to its short, successful September meet.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Racing Dates Committee took no immediate action at its meeting after Kentucky Downs requested to add two days to its 2016 schedule for a total of seven racing days. The committee can make a recommendation to the full KHRC on dates.

The committee did ask track officials to meet privately after the meeting, which they did. Kentucky Downs president Corey Johnsen said that while no resolution was reached during that session, he was encouraged by the talks that included representatives from his track; Churchill Downs, which also races in September; Ellis Park; and Keeneland.

"I thought it was a really good discussion," Johnsen said after the late afternoon meeting. "It was good to get everybody's concerns out there, and we all agreed to take a few days and study some different options."

Johnsen said the track officials plan to meet again by conference call early next week.

Kentucky Downs, which is coming off a five-day 2015 meet that registered record pari-mutuel handle, purses, and starters per race, requested running four Thursdays and three Saturdays in September 2016 beginning Thursday, Sept. 8.

Churchill, which also races in September, opposed the plan because of concerns that there are not enough horses in Kentucky to support the two additional dates. Churchill requested 15 racing dates from Sept. 8-Oct 2, but the four September Thursday dates in its request were optional.

Churchill president Kevin Flanery said the Louisville track would not race those optional days if Kentucky Downs also is given those Thursday dates.

Representing Churchill and Keeneland, attorney David Royse noted that 41% of the starters at Kentucky Downs in 2014 were based at Churchill. He said Churchill ends up stabling horses who run at another Kentucky track.

Keeneland is concerned that additional dates at Kentucky Downs could compromise its important opening weekend of stakes at its fall meet.

Johnsen noted that while Kentucky Downs doesn't have the permanent stables that Churchill offers, the track does not receive host status for simulcast money in the state. He characterized that set-up as a fair trade-off. A track with host status retains a larger share of simulcast revenue.

As for Keeneland, Johnsen said Kentucky Downs would create a schedule that would work for both, perhaps with Kentucky Downs offering most of its stakes early in the meet. Johnsen said schedules already complement each track, and he noted that the past three Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (gr. IIIT) winners raced at Kentucky Downs.

He named several horses that started at the Kentucky Downs meet and then stayed to race at Keeneland.

Royse, in his presentation for Churchill and Keeneland, suggested the committee should look at moving some of Kentucky Downs' dates to July or August. Just before the end of the committee meeting, racing commissioner and committee member Frank Jones Jr. said track executives should consider that scenario.

Ellis Park, which requested 32 dates from July 1-Sept. 5, said such a move could compromise its meet, which has been making progress.

Ellis Park owner Ron Geary said behind its improving historical racing operation, successful racing, and Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund money, Ellis Park hopes to offer maiden special weight races worth $40,000 in 2016.

"Having Kentucky Downs race in July or August would dilute our meet," Geary said. "We are opposed to that concept."

Johnsen noted that Kentucky Downs has not had a catastrophic breakdown since 2007. He said the turf there does best in September, and that in July and August the ground can be very hard and dry, which could create safety concerns.

Last year Kentucky Downs also asked for seven total dates but ultimately received just five, though it did pick up an additional Saturday. The track was scheduled to race a Wednesday, Thursday, and three Saturdays this year, but one of the Saturday dates was moved to a Monday because of a course too soft for racing after rain.

As for the rest of the 2016 Kentucky Thoroughbred racing calendar, the committee will recommend Turfway Park's plan to race Thursday through Sunday in January and Thursday through Sunday in February, though the Thursday February cards would be optional. Still Turfway general manager Chip Bach said he's optimistic the Northern Kentucky track will be able to offer those Thursday dates in February.

Bach said the track has been encouraged by available horses in January and February and will attempt to add dates. March will remain a Friday-through-Sunday schedule as Bach noted it's difficult to attract horses that month.

"We strongly want to move to four days a week in February and will make every effort," Bach said.

Turfway also was approved for a December schedule that would race Wednesday through Sunday. It's scheduled to race Thursday through Sunday in December 2015.

The committee will recommend the traditional Churchill spring and November dates, though some plan may need to be worked out with Ellis Park as both tracks requested the July 1 and 2 dates. Churchill would start May 3 and continue through July 2 for its spring/summer meet and race Nov. 2-27 for its fall meet.

Ellis Park's 32 race dates would run from July 1-Sept. 5.

Keeneland will receive the committee's recommendation for its usual April and October race meets. The spring meet would begin April 8 and continue through April 29.