Kentucky Downs, which has historically been known for having some of the lowest takeout rates in the country, will be raising its takeout on straight wagers and exotics this year, in part to offset its bill from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).
Ted Nicholson, vice president of racing at Kentucky Downs, sat down with an interview with the Daily Racing Form's Matt Hegarty on Aug. 28 to review what's ahead for this year's meet at the Kentucky track which features all-turf racing and high purses.
Nicholson explained that non-HISA costs of running a race meet have also gone up in recent years, and that even with the one point increase, Kentucky Downs has a lower blended takeout rate than other major racetracks, including those in California, New York, and elsewhere in Kentucky.
The track's total handle has gone from $30.2 million in 2017 to $80.2 million last year, with a change of two additional race days. A big part of that change, according to Nicholson, was coordinating post times so as not to step on Saratoga or Del Mar. Post time coordination is a change horseplayers have asked for repeatedly from all major tracks for many years.
Read the complete interview at The Daily Racing Form
The post Kentucky Downs Raises Takeout One Percent, In Part To Offset HISA Costs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
