Churchill Downs Installing Historical Racing

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission recently granted conditional approval for 600 historical racing machines at Churchill Downs in Louisville. A $60 million, 85,000 square foot facility will be built to house the machines, to be completed in summer 2018. The project will create 250 construction and 200 permanent jobs.

Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky announced it will invest million to build an 85,000 square foot facility for historical racing machines at its former Trackside training and simulcast wagering site. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission granted conditional approval for the project. Construction will begin later this year and be completed by summer 2018.

Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery said, “A state-of-the-art historic racing facility will allow us to deliver an exciting and compelling parimutuel product for our customers in Louisville. This is a great opportunity for us to revitalize another area of our city while strengthening the commonwealth’s equine industry through larger purses and greater incentives for Kentucky breeders and owners. Stronger horse racing means a stronger Kentucky.”

Flanery said the facility will offer 600 historical racing machines, plus a player’s club reward center, walk-up food venues and a bar featuring large-screen televisions. It will create 250 temporary construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs.

Historical racing machines already are available at three Kentucky tracks: Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Turfway Park in northern Kentucky and Red Mile in Lexington. According to KHRC records, through May the devices generated statewide handle of $839.0 million, up 44.5 percent from the same period last year.

Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Marty Maline said, “We’re really enthusiastic about the historical racing machines, with what we’ve seen at Kentucky Downs, the Red Mile and even Ellis Park. Obviously, it’s going to help our purses, and that will be helpful.”

**GGBNews.com is part of the Clarion Events Group of companies (Clarion). We take your privacy seriously. By registering for this newsletter we wish to use your information on the basis of our legitimate interests to keep in contact with you about other relevant events, products and services which may be of interest to you. We will only ever use the information we collect or receive about you in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may manage your preferences or unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails.