Fall meet starts at Churchill Downs amid economic concerns
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - The Twin Spires are back in the spotlight for the fall meet at Churchill Downs. This is the first since lawmakers struck down expanded gaming in the summer special session. We wanted to know what that means for tracks like Churchill Downs moving forward.
“Kentucky race tracks have collectively asked for about 25 percent fewer racing dates in 2010 that were requested in 2009,” Churchill Downs President Kevin Flanery said. “That’s directly a result of people leaving the jurisdiction to go race in places that offer expanded gaming.”
The Fall Meet started at Churchill Downs Sunday. It comes after expanded gaming failed in Kentucky’s summer special session, leaving tracks to find new ways to compete nationwide in their changing industry.
“Churchill is trying to figure out a way to tell our horsemen, ‘Hey we appreciate you. We want you, we want you here.’ We’ve pledged 1.5 million dollars in additional money for purses over the next three years,” Flanery said. “Compared to expanded gaming, that’s a drop in the bucket.”
In addition, efforts to make up for the shortfall include targeted advertising to attract specific groups to the Churchill Downs track. The groups include women, college students and the military, along with special events to draw them out.
“I would probably come more if there were special things that I wanted to see,” racing fan Mary Shilling said.
For the first time, individual tickets are now available for Millionaire’s Row and the Jockey Club Suites.
“We’ve tried to make it affordable so anybody can come up,” Flanery said.
Still the drawbacks of the economy are real and sacrifices have been made to keep year round racing alive next year. Wednesday racing is knocked off the Spring Meet schedule every week except Derby. Changes don’t stop there.
“The Tuesday of Derby week, we’ll be eliminated and one additional day in the fall,” Flanery said. “We’ve had to eliminate race days because we can’t attract the size of field that is best for the economy.”
The Horse Racing Commission has approved a drop in race days at the request of tracks across the state. Next year’s numbers stand at 206 racing dates, down from the 273 requested by Kentucky’s race tracks a year ago.
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