Racing at Kentucky Downs just keeps getting bigger. Turf Cup day 2022 has the makings of a huge day. When we say “huge”, we mean “huge”.
Based on grade 1 winners entering some races, the weather-forced re-scheduling of the Winstar Mint Millions, and the already scheduled block-buster card, this little country track nestled just north of the Tennessee state line could have five races featuring $1 million purses. If horses currently committed run, the Ladies Turf, Ladies Sprint, FanDuel Turf Sprint, and Kentucky Turf Cup will join the Winstar Mint Millions as seven-figure races. The FanDuel Turf Sprint and Kentucky Turf Cup are Breeders’ Cup “win and you’re in” races guaranteeing the winners a berth in the World Championships to be run at Keeneland on November 4 and 5.
Already boasting the highest per-race payouts of any track in the country, the revised schedule and purse increases makes the big even bigger. The only day that will feature a larger purse structure in the United States will be the Breeders’ Cup.
With more “big” purses than a Louis Vuitton store, Kentucky Downs offers up opportunities for horsemen and speculators alike. The money brings competition and that in turn means large fields and potential large payouts at the betting windows. On opening day, September 1, the 50-cent late pick 4 paid $10,472.57, and the 50-cent late pick 5 returned $32,291.34.
The first post at Kentucky Downs on September 10 is slated for 1 pm.
