Kentucky | Horse Racing Free Tips

Kentucky Downs To Open New Historical Horse Racing Hall In September

Kentucky Downs is betting big with the opening of a new 30,000 square-foot historical horse racing (HHR) gaming hall in early September—just in time for its famous live horse racing meet.

The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs will add more than 600 all-new historical horse racing terminals and other amenities that will include a new multi-media Center Bar with an adjacent entertainment stage and a new high-limit betting area. Guests can also join the brand-new Mint Rewards loyalty program that will offer players more benefits, bonuses and recognition, including complimentary food and beverage and tickets to partner events.

The addition of The Mint Gaming Hall is the first of a multi-phase expansion and growth plan that began last year under Kentucky Downs' new ownership. Kentucky Downs was sold in March 2019 to a new partnership headed by prominent horseman and entrepreneur Ron Winchell and well-known gaming and investment-banking executive Marc Falcone. Upon completion of the entire project in early 2021, Kentucky Downs will offer a total of approximately 1,100 HHR games in the 110,000 square-foot facility that will include several new restaurant and dining options and other additional amenities.

“We are looking forward to being bigger and better than ever in September, while remaining focused on current safety protocols for the safety and health of our guests and team,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' senior vice president and general manager. “We are always seeking ways to enhance the guest experience and can't wait to provide more food and beverage offerings, more live music and more entertainment.”

The multi-phase expansion is expected to add more than 75 new jobs with positions in food and beverage, housekeeping, security, gaming technology and marketing. In 2019, Kentucky Downs provided more than $20 million in state/local taxes, wages and benefits and charitable contributions to local Kentucky and Tennessee communities.

“Our growth continues to solidify Kentucky Downs' role as an economic engine for the Franklin-Simpson area and beyond as both an attraction and an employer,” Nicholson said.

The post Kentucky Downs To Open New Historical Horse Racing Hall In September appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Ellis Updates COVID-19 Protocols

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming has increased track and racing protocols/testing requirements, effective immediately. All jockeys and valets must have a negative COVID-19 test result taken prior to being admitted to Ellis Park. Once a negative test is reported, they will not need additional testing unless they leave the local area, Kentucky or ride/race at another racetrack.

All backside entrants, including jockeys who do leave the local area or the state of Kentucky after their initial test, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours before being re-admitted to Ellis Park.

All ship-ins will be directed to the receiving barn/assigned stall and horsemen directed to the receiving barn may not enter any other area of the barn area except the track kitchen for carry-out food only. Same day result testing is available in the Henderson area, however, appointments must be made in advance. For more information or a reservation, visit www.firstcareclinics.com or call 270-854-3196.

For more information about Ellis Park’s new cleaning and safety protocols, please visit www.ellisparkracing.com.

The post Ellis Updates COVID-19 Protocols appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

KEEP, Race For Education Award $21,000 In Scholarships To 18 Students

The Kentucky Equine Education Project Foundation (KEEP), and The Race For Education (RFE) are proud to announce their 2020 Scholarship recipients.

The KEEP Foundation board of directors approved over $21,000 in scholarships to 18 students, attending 10 universities across the Commonwealth. All of the 2020 scholarship recipients are students currently enrolled with a university or college in Kentucky in an equine and/or, agriculture related major or a horse-related program.

In addition to the 18 Kentucky students; the Race For Education awarded it's annual Robert J. Frankel Scholarship to New York state student, Elsa Loriel. Now, in it's 10th year, the Robert J. Frankel Scholarship, in honor of the late Robert (Bobby) J. Frankel, is awarded to a student attending a college or university in California or New York state, pursuing any field of study, whose family is employed in the Thoroughbred industry. Ms. Loriel's father is a long time assistant trainer to Shug McGaughey and her mother is an exercise rider for Christophe Clement. Ms. Loriel, herself an equine enthusiast and photographer, will be majoring in Equine Business and Management at the University of Louisville.

The KEEP Foundation and the Race For Education also awarded it's first annual RFE/KEEP Veterinary Scholarship. The 2020 RFE/KEEP Veterinary Scholarship is awarded to a student from the state of Kentucky who is intending to enter equine veterinary medicine. This year's recipient is Lacey Willis. Ms. Willis, a Warren County native, and Western Kentucky University graduate will be attending her first year of Veterinary School this Fall at Auburn University.

“Having a group of quality students interested in equine careers from around the country, attending universities in Kentucky, truly represents the statewide nature of our industry”, said Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP's Executive Vice President.

2020 Race For Education KEEP Foundation Scholarship
Dylan Abrams – Grant County – Midway University
Celene Correa – Jefferson County – Jefferson Community & Technical College
Savannah House – Kansas – Morehead State University
Emily Monroe – Jessamine County – University of Kentucky
Zoey Norris – Adair County – Campbellsville University
Maria Oachs – Wisconsin – University of Kentucky
Rashea Smith – Whitley County – Auburn University
Madeline Sparks – Harrison County – Midway University
Landon Thompson – Taylor County – Asbury University
Maggie Welch – Hardin County – University of Kentucky

2020 4H 'Leg Up' Scholarship
Mackenzie Coil – Marshall County – Murray State University
Anya Deaton – Campbell County – University of Kentucky
Lydia Deaton – Campbell County – University of Kentucky
Alina Knore – Bourbon County – Murray State University
Madeline Queen – Campbell County – Murray State University
Sydney Simpson – Henderson County – Murray State University
Ashley Terrill – Shelby County – University of Kentucky

The post KEEP, Race For Education Award $21,000 In Scholarships To 18 Students appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Kentucky Derby Week Stakes Purses Remain Even; $9.85 Million September Stakes Schedule Announced

A total of 18 stakes events, topped by the 146th runnings of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), are on tap for the 2020 September Meet at Churchill Downs.

The September Meet stakes schedule is led by the revised Kentucky Derby Week, which was moved from April 25-May 2 to Sept. 1-5 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The spectacular week of racing will feature 14 graded stakes, including five Grade I races that will be headlined by the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, Sept. 5 and Kentucky Oaks on Friday, Sept. 4.

Kentucky Derby Day will showcase seven graded stakes races including the Grade I, $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course for older horses and the Grade I, $500,000 Derby City Distaff (formerly known as the Humana Distaff) for fillies and mares at seven furlongs.

A new addition to the revised Kentucky Derby Day stakes schedule is the $200,000 Iroquois presented by Ford (GIII), the launch of the Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby (Top 4 points: 10-4-2-1) and a “Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Juvenile Division” race for 2-year-olds that will be run at one-mile. The winner will receive an automatic berth to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI) held on Nov. 6 at Keeneland.

Other stakes on Kentucky Derby Day are the $500,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (GII) for fillies and mares at one-mile on turf; the $500,000 American Turf (GII) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf; and the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU (GII) for 3-year-olds at one mile.

Kentucky Oaks Day will feature six graded stakes events which includes the Grade I, $500,000 La Troienne for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. Other stakes on the program are the $400,000 Alysheba (GII) for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles; the $300,000 Eight Belles presented by Smithfield Foods (GII) for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs; the $300,000 Edgewood presented by Forcht Bank (GII) for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf (shortened from its previous 1 1/16 miles on turf); and the $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco (GII) for 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs on turf.

While the Iroquois is set for Kentucky Derby Day, its filly counterpart, the $200,000 Pocahontas (GIII), will be run two days prior on “Thurby.” The one-mile event for 2-year-old fillies kicks off the Road to the 2021 Kentucky Oaks (Top 4 points: 10-4-2-1) and is a “Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Division” contest with the winner receiving an automatic berth to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) on Nov. 6 at Keeneland.

The Grade I Churchill Downs Stakes, which was previously run on Kentucky Derby Day, is tentatively scheduled to be run during the Fall Meet.

After the Sept. 1-5 Kentucky Derby Week, Churchill Downs will stage its annual nine-day September Meet from Sept. 17-27. The lone stakes event will be the $100,000 Ack Ack for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on Sept. 26.

For more information, visit www.churchilldowns.com.

Day/Date	Running	Grade	Purse	Race	Age/Sex	Distance	Surface
Champions Day
Tuesday, Sept. 1	2^nd		$100,000	Champions Day Marathon Overnight Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance	3&up	1 ½ M	Dirt

Wednesday, Sept. 2	10^th		$150,000	Unbridled Sidney	3&up f/m	5 ½ F	Turf
Thurby *Presented By Old Forester*
Thursday, Sept. 3	52^nd	III	$200,000	Pocahontas	2yo f	1 M	Dirt
Thursday, Sept. 3	15^th		$100,000	Opening Verse Overnight Stakes	3&up	1 M	Turf
Longines Kentucky Oaks Day Six stakes races cumulatively worth $3 million
Friday, Sept. 4	146^th	I	$1,250,000	Longines Kentucky Oaks	3yo f	1 1/8 M	Dirt
Friday, Sept. 4	35^th	I	$500,000	La Troienne	4&up f/m	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Friday, Sept. 4	17^th	II	$400,000	Alysheba	4&up	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Friday, Sept. 4	65^th	II	$300,000	Eight Belles presented by Smithfield Foods	3yo f	7 F	Dirt
Friday, Sept. 4	36^th	II	$300,000	Edgewood presented by Forcht Bank	3yo f	1 M	Turf
Friday, Sept. 4	26^th	II	$250,000	Twin Spires Turf Sprint	3&up	5 ½ F	Turf
Kentucky Derby Day *Presented by Woodford Reserve* Seven stakes races cumulatively worth $6.2 million
Saturday, Sept. 5	146^th	I	$3,000,000	Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve	3yo	1 ¼ M	Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 5	34^th	I	$1,000,000	Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic	4&up	1 1/8 M	Turf
Saturday, Sept. 5	34^th	I	$500,000	Derby City Distaff	4&up f/m	7 F	Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 5	35^th	II	$500,000	Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile	4&up f/m	1 M	Turf
Saturday, Sept. 5	96^th	II	$500,000	Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU	3yo	1 M	Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 5	29^th	II	$500,000	American Turf	3yo	1 1/16 M	Turf
Saturday, Sept. 5	39^th	III	$200,000	Iroquois presented by Ford	2yo	1 M	Dirt

Saturday, Sept. 26	28^th	III	$100,000	Ack Ack	3&up	1 M	Dirt

The post Kentucky Derby Week Stakes Purses Remain Even; $9.85 Million September Stakes Schedule Announced appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post