By T. D. Thornton
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved a 211-date Thoroughbred slate for 2023 at its Monday meeting.
The calendar largely mirrors the template from the past two years, although one commissioner did voice an opinion that the new owner of Ellis Park should “strongly consider” adding race dates.
A copy of the race dates provided to TDN by a KHRC staffer shows 24 dates for Ellis over the July 4-Aug. 30 meet, although every other day during that span is marked “optional” on the calendar.
The gaming company Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI), which also owns Churchill Downs Racetrack and Turfway Park in the state, last month purchased Ellis Park.
“Ellis Park [has] a long and valued tradition [that is] successful, safe, and cherished by the people in that part of the state,” said commissioner Bill Landes III. “And for no more dates than [those] being requested is not respecting Ellis for what it is or what it can be under its new ownership.
“I'm giving you the benefit, in knowing Churchill Downs's track record, that it will be successful,” Landes continued. “So on behalf of the Thoroughbred horsemen, I respect that Churchill strongly consider expanding these dates in order to return Ellis Park to the standards [of] about 30 years ago, when you couldn't fit people into that grandstand with a shoehorn. That's my message.”
Landes made his comments after the vote had already passed, so his words had no effect on the outcome of the commission's approval. No other KHRC members chose to speak up on the subject.
Back on Sept. 20, when the KHRC greenlighted the $79-million transaction in just 6 1/2 minutes after a perfunctory read-through of the basic terms of the deal, not a single member of the commission posed any questions to CDI executives about the gaming corporation's future plans for Thoroughbred racing at Ellis.
At that Sept. 20 meeting, a KHRC staffer read into the record that CDI intended to honor a 2023 race dates request for 24 programs (up one date from 2022) that Ellis had already submitted to the KHRC.
In addition to the Thoroughbred calendar, the commission on Oct. 31 approved 74 Standardbred and six Quarter Horse race dates.
Here's a chronological look at the 2023 Thoroughbred schedule:
Turfway Park: Jan. 4-Apr. 2 on a Wednesday-Saturday schedule through February, then Thursday-Saturday through the balance of the meet. In addition, Sundays are all marked “optional” on the calendar provided by a KHRC spokesperson.
Keeneland Race Course: Apr. 7-28 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule (dark for Easter Sunday, Apr. 9).
Churchill Downs: Apr. 29-July 3, largely Thursday-Sunday to start the meet, with Tuesday and Wednesday additions and no Sunday racing during GI Kentucky Derby week. Added Monday dates on Memorial Day and July 3. Also, Wednesday programs will be added in June.
Ellis Park: July 4-Aug. 30. The KHRC calendar has Ellis penciled in for a seven-day weekly template, but every date except for Friday-Sunday during the entire meet is marked “optional.”
Kentucky Downs: Aug. 31 and Sep. 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 13, with “optional” dates Sept. 4 and 6.
Churchill: Sep. 14-Oct. 1 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule.
Keeneland: Oct. 6-28 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule.
Churchill: Oct. 29-Nov. 26 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule.
Turfway: Nov. 29-Dec. 31 on a Wednesday-Saturday schedule with Sundays “optional.”
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