FanDuel, already returning as the Kentucky Downs meet's title sponsor, will also now assume sponsorship of the $1.7-million GII FanDuel Kentucky Turf Cup. The 1 1/2-mile stakes anchors the Sept. 9 card of six graded stakes each worth at least $1 million for Kentucky-breds at the Franklin, Kentucky oval.
The sponsorship includes the Aug. 31 opening-day $500,000 FanDuel TV Tapit S. for 3-year-olds and up that have not won a stakes in 2023 and the FanDuel VIP Chalet, which provides air-conditioning in an upscale environment with a spectacular view of the races.
“The FanDuel Group is excited to sponsor the FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs for the third consecutive year,” said Andrew Moore, General Manager of Racing, FanDuel Group. “This unique meet has gained momentum and popularity with horseplayers each year and, thanks to Ron Winchell, Marc Falcone and their team, they continue to put on a top-class meeting with horsemen and women from across the globe.
“The FanDuel Group has an ongoing commitment to promoting and covering horse racing, and we are looking forward to showcasing every race, every day from the meet on FanDuel TV, including the $1.7-million FanDuel Kentucky Turf Cup, a Breeders' Cup Challenge race, and the FanDuel Tapit S.”
The FanDuel Turf Cup carries a base purse of $1.3 million, with the additional $400,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF). A registered Kentucky-bred winner will earn more than $1 million; while a winner born outside the commonwealth will earn almost $800,000.
The only stakes that is more lucrative is the $2-million GIII Mint Millions, which has a base purse of $1 million and another $1 million in KTDF money and is sponsored by The Mint Gaming Hall.
“How do you measure the upward trajectory of a race meet?” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' Vice President for Racing. “There's obviously record purses, record betting and among the largest fields in America. But there's also the response from sponsors–not just our marquee industry entities, but corporate America. The names and numbers speak for themselves, and we couldn't be more proud and appreciative of the companies and product owners who want to be associated with America's most unique race meet.”
The five $1-million graded stakes on the super-sized Sept. 9 card are sponsored by the companies who create the historical horse racing gaming terminals used at Kentucky Downs' The Mint Gaming Hall properties in Franklin, Bowling Green, Williamsburg and Corbin, Ky. Those HHR-sponsored stakes in 2023 are: the GIII Castle Hill Gaming Ladies Turf; the GIII Aristocrat Ladies Marathon; the GII Exacta Systems Franklin-Simpson; the GII AGS Ladies Sprint; and the GII Ainsworth Turf Sprint.
The nine-day meet also includes day sponsors: National Thoroughbred League, Jeff Ruby's, Big Ass Fans, Global Tote/BetMakers, and PepsiCo.
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