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Antonaccis Purchase Bryan Station Farm

The Antonacci family, which breeds and races under the name of Lindy Farm, has purchased Bryan Station Farm in Lexington and plans to convert it to a multi-purpose, multi-breed farm that will help in the growth of the Lindy operation. Lindy has been a major name in harness racing going back to the late sixties and has recently turned its attention toward building a thoroughbred operation.

The new farm will be named Lindy Farms at Bryan Station. Lindy will also retain its farm in Somers, CT. Philip Antonacci trains the thoroughbred string. His brother, Frank M. Antonacci is Lindy President.

Philip Antonacci said that final plans for the new farm remain in flux. He expected that its residents would be about 75% Standardbreds and 25% Thoroughbreds and the primary emphasis at first will be as a breeding farm. The farm does not have any training tracks, but Antonacci said that could be part of its future, while acknowledging that the new farm should help Lindy grow its Thoroughbred operation.

The Antonacci family is already heavily invested in Kentucky racing as it owns the Red Mile in Lexington as part of a partnership. The Red Mile's Historical Horse Racing Machines have played a major part in the growth of both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing in the state.

“The purchase of this property is the next step in our family's involvement and commitment to the Bluegrass and Lexington communities,” the family said in a statement. “Lindy Farms at Bryan Station will be a world-class dual breed facility combining the rich equine history of Lexington with the esteemed racing and breeding legacy of Lindy Farms. We will be mindful stewards of the land and look forward to deepening our commitment to this wonderful community and making the city of Lexington, Fayette County and Commonwealth of Kentucky proud.”

Bryan Station describes itself as a “unique equestrian boarding facilities” with rental homes available on the property.

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Sports Betting Can Start Sept. 7 at Kentucky Tracks

Although Kentucky's horse racing purses will not directly benefit from recently legalized sports betting, the state's nine tracks on Monday were authorized to apply for retail sports book permits starting Tuesday, July 11. They could start taking bets on games as early as Sept. 7, the first day of the National Football League season.

Online sports wagering, which is expected to eventually account for 90% of an estimated $23 million in sports betting tax and licensing revenues for the state, will be rolled out Sept. 28.

Those dates were confirmed at Monday's Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) meeting at The Red Mile in Lexington, at which the commission unanimously voted in both “emergency” and “ordinary” sports betting regulations.

The emergency regulations will allow the state's tracks to apply for sports betting permits and get up and running by the start of the lucrative football season, while the ordinary regulations will go through a public comment and revision process and will eventually replace the set of emergency rules.

By Kentucky law, sports gambling must be done through the state's licensed tracks, which are allowed to partner with up to three sportsbooks each. The brick-and-mortar permit can be applied to either a track's main location or a licensed satellite facility.

Unlike Kentucky's historical horse race gaming and simulcasting, which both by statute guarantee a revenue stream for horse racing purses, sports betting provides no such direct boost.

In lieu of getting a direct cut of booking sports wagers, Kentucky horsemen will be banking on the potential benefit from crossover opportunities that could convert sports bettors into horseplayers.

With a law signed Mar. 31, Kentucky becomes the 37th state to have legal sports betting.

Six of the seven states bordering Kentucky already take wagers on sports.

The law allows Kentucky tracks to be licensed as sports betting facilities for a $500,000 initial fee and an annual renewal of $50,000.

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Gabe Prewitt to The Red Mile

Harness racing's Gabe Prewitt has been named VP of Racing & Sports Wagering Operations at The Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky. Caesars Entertainment has an agreement with a joint venture between Keeneland Association and The Red Mile to open Central Kentucky's only brick-and-mortar retail sportsbook locations, subject to regulatory approvals from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Prewitt was formerly the Director of Racing with Caesars Entertainment, overseeing racing operations at five properties, as well as serving as a track announcer and as part of several broadcast teams on harness racing's biggest days.

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Caesars Partners with Keeneland, Red Mile Ahead of Sports Betting’s Launch in Kentucky

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. on Tuesday announced agreements with Keeneland and Red Mile Gaming & Racing in Lexington granting them operator market access to offer legalized mobile sports wagering in Kentucky. The announcement comes six weeks after Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed Bill 551 legalizing sports wagering in the state into law on Mar. 31.

Caesars also announced plans to open Central Kentucky's only brick-and-mortar retail sportsbook locations, subject to regulatory approvals from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

“Keeneland and Red Mile are iconic horse racing venues with an important legacy in the state of Kentucky,” Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital, said. “Customers in the region have long enjoyed our world-class Caesars destinations and, most recently, our horse racing wagering app, Caesars Racebook. Working with these historic institutions provides an unmatched opportunity to reach sports and racing fans in the state, and we look forward to working with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as we prepare to launch later this year.”

Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said, “Keeneland's venture with Caesars Sportsbook holds exciting potential and furthers our mission to introduce new audiences to horse racing. Caesars is a globally respected brand, and we value their commitment to racing and their expertise in sports wagering.”

Red Mile Chief Operating Officer Shannon Cobb commented, “At Red Mile Gaming & Racing we are excited to continue introducing this historic harness track to new audiences. Opportunities with sports wagering on site, added to live racing, simulcasting, and HHR Games accomplish goals we have worked toward for several years. Our relationships with Keeneland and Caesars in this venture could not be more valued.”

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