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New Racing Facilities Planned for Southeastern Kentucky

Keeneland and the majority owners of Kentucky Downs have made application for a racing license and have proposed the construction of a state-of-the-art racing facility and associated track extension in Kentucky. The proposed facilities, to be located in Corbin and Williamsburg, would feature live Standardbred racing as well as historical racing machines.

“Horse racing is an extremely vital part of the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Ron Winchell, who owns, controls and manages Kentucky Downs with Marc Falcone. “With the addition of a new race track and related amenities in southeastern Kentucky, it will help to continue the momentum we have created for the state and our industry in recent years.”

Added Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason: “Keeneland has dedicated resources to this region and project for many years and we look forward to working alongside our partners at Kentucky Downs to bring this project to life. This project will strengthen Kentucky’s vital horse industry and positively impact the Commonwealth and the local communities by stimulating significant economic growth, generating hundreds of new jobs and enhancing tourism and hospitality.”

Officials from each racing association are working with state and local officials on a number of incentives and necessary infrastructure improvements to bring the facilities to fruition. Additionally, the venture is working with local investors to enhance the magnitude of the impact to the region.

“Corbin is thrilled to be a part of this endeavor,” Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus said. “The new racing facility will be a welcome addition to our city’s already long list of sites and attractions for local residents and visitors.”

“We are proud of the significant investment this partnership is committed to making in our community, and are excited to see the infusion of tourism, economic development and new jobs it will bring to Williamsburg and Whitley County,” Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison stated.

Each facility is contingent upon approval of an initial pari-mutuel racing license by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

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Maximum Security, Improbable Both Being Pointed to Awesome Again

Stablemates Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) and ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Improbable (City Zip) will face one another in Saturday’s GI Awesome Again S. at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert has confirmed.

Baffert had earlier discussed shipping Maximum Security to New York for the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, but instead will race him this weekend in his own backyard.

Via text, Baffert said he thought the race was a good fit for both horses because he likes the spacing and the fact that no one has to ship. The Jockey Club Gold Cup will be run Oct. 10, two weeks after the Awesome Again.

With the two Baffert stars set to meet one another, the Awesome Again could decide who will be the favorite in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. Coming off wins in the GII San Diego H. and the GI TVG Pacific Classic, Maximum Security will be favored in the Awesome Again, but Improbable has strong credentials, as well. He has won two in a row, the GI Hollywood Gold Cup and the GI Whitney S.

The list of possible starters for the $300,000 race also includes Higher Power (Medaglia d’Oro), Midcourt (Midnight Lute), Sharp Samurai (First Samurai), Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy o’Prdao) and Take the One O One (Acclamation).

A win in the Awesome Again, formerly known as the Goodwood S., will give Baffert six wins in the race. He is currently tied with Charlie Whittingham for most career wins in the event. The Awesome Again is a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier, though both Maximum Security and Improbable have already secured berths via their victories in the Pacific Classic and Whitney, respectively.

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Code of Honor Pointing for Kelso Handicap

Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) will not be back to defend his title in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and will instead make his next start going a mile in the GII Kelso H. at Belmont Oct. 3.

“I said all along after the Whitney that I was going to start all over again,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “I thought the Kelso was a good spot to start over again, running him at a mile instead of a mile-and-a-quarter in the Gold Cup after he’s been away for 2 1/2 months. We’ll run him at the mile, see what happens and take it from there.”

McGaughey said that if Code of Honor runs well in the Kelso, he will be pointed for either the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile or the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Code of Honor was placed first in the 2019 Gold Cup after Vino Rosso (Curlin) was disqualified for interference.

Code of Honor got off to a fast start this year, winning the GIII Westchester S. June 6 at Belmont. He subsequently finished third in the GI Runhappy Metropolitan H. and, in his most recent start, fourth in the GI Whitney S.

“With him, it got all messed up because of COVID and no racing for a while,” McGaughey said. “Those races got bunched up. I probably made a mistake running him in the Metropolitan Mile. If not for COVID, I could have run him opening day at Belmont, in the Met Mile on Belmont Day and then in the Whitney in the first part of August. The spacing would have been a lot better. That wasn’t to be.”

Code of Honor worked Monday morning at Belmont, going five furlongs in 1:02.81.

“He worked good this morning,” McGaughey said. “Javier (Castellano) worked him and he came back and said that he worked really good and that there was a lot left in the tank. I’ll sharpen him up next Monday and we’ll take it from there.”

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T.I.P. Deadlines for 2021 Fast Approaching

Applications for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) horse shows and T.I.P. Youth Ambassador Program are due Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, respectively. Created in 2011, T.I.P. sponsors Thoroughbred classes and high-point awards at sanctioned horse shows, year-end performance awards, a recreational riding program, and non-competition awards.

Horse shows, trials, and other events interested in offering 2021 T.I.P. awards must apply by Sept. 30, even if the dates are tentative. Shows that offered awards in 2020 or that were approved for awards but were canceled must still reapply for 2021.

The Youth Ambassador program, which selects about a dozen young people annually to represent T.I.P. and the Thoroughbred breed at local barns, shows, and other events, closes applications Oct. 1. Youth Ambassadors must be 18 or younger as of Jan. 1, be a resident of the U.S. or Canada, own or lease a Thoroughbred with a T.I.P. number, and must participate in T.I.P. shows or programs.

“Offering T.I.P. awards is a great way of increasing participation from Thoroughbreds and their riders at horse shows, and we encourage applications from all interested groups in anticipation of a more typical horse show schedule in 2021,” said Kristin Werner, senior counsel of The Jockey Club and coordinator for T.I.P. “Similarly, our Youth Ambassador Program has proven to be an excellent opportunity for individuals to develop leadership skills while promoting the versatility of the Thoroughbred breed.”

For more information, visit T.I.P.

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