Site work has started at the 145-acre tract that will become Keeneland’s new $50 million quarter horse racetrack and historical racing machine venue in Corbin, Kentucky. Keeneland Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Gabbert said the facility was waiting for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to consider its license application. The commission met in regular session December 13 and according to meeting minutes, licenses were not discussed. In September, racing commissioners said they would not consider any new racing license applications. Currently the state has seven licensed facilities and two outstanding licenses.
Churchill Downs is partnering with Keeneland in the Corbin venue, which will be named Cumberland Run, plus a second facility in Christian County in southwestern Kentucky.
The racing commission met in regular session on Dec. 13. Minutes from the meeting indicate the licenses were not discussed. The next scheduled commission meeting will be February 20.
Gabbert said once construction begins, the facility will be completed within 14 months. The project includes a 1,723-foot straight racing track, barn facilities, an entertainment center and grandstand. In addition, the property includes area for commercial development and a hotel. Gabbert said the venue would create 150 permanent jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs, and generate $10 million in local and state tax revenue.
In addition, the facility would include 250 historical racing machines, which allow players to bet on past races. Opponents claim the machines are illegal slots, but supporters contend they are simply parimutuel games allowing bettors to play against other bettors, not against the house. Kentucky racetracks operators said the machines at Kentucky racetracks have allowed race purses to be higher.
