Kentucky Downs ended its 2015 racing season with record numbers in every significant category, including starters per race, handle per race, and total purses paid. Starters per race averaged 10.6, up from 10.18 in 2014.
Total handle of $16,831,333 was a new record for the track's live racing season, an increase of over one million dollars despite running two fewer races than the 2014 meet and moving a scheduled Sept. 12 Saturday card to a Monday afternoon of racing. That milestone in total handle included a record setting one day total of $5,073,589 set on closing day Sept. 19. Handle per race went up as well for 2015, increasing to $350,652 a race from its 2014 mark of $316,306, a growth of 10%.
“While handle increases are gratifying, our number one goal for every live race meeting is the safety of every horse and rider,” said Kentucky Downs President Corey Johnsen. “We started a record number of horses per race, and the horse ambulance never moved. We had a number of talented horses run at Kentucky Downs, but our Star of the Meet was Ron Moore and his course maintenance crew, who worked tirelessly under challenging weather conditions. The flawless safety record speaks for itself.”
Total purses paid to horsemen increased once again to $6,609,354, including KTDF funds versus $4,841,271 in 2014.
“Holding a live racing license is a privilege, and one of the responsibilities is to improve the Kentucky horse industry,” said Johnsen. “We paid out a record amount of KTDF money. Trainers and owners are now keenly aware of our racing program, so I believe we have added value for Kentucky-breds. Because of that, we had the best Kentucky-breds in training traveling to Kentucky Downs from all corners of North America.”
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