Kentucky Downs

Keeneland CEO Shannon Arvin Talks September Sale On Writers' Room

The early returns have been strong at Keeneland's marquee September Sale, both in the numbers on the board and the overall vibe on the grounds, and Wednesday morning, the company's president and chief executive officer Shannon Arvin joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland to talk about her first September Sale officially running the show, the return of some normalcy to the auction environment, what to expect at the upcoming Keeneland Fall Meet and more. "The word we keep saying is electric," said Arvin, calling in via Zoom as...

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Kentucky Downs Closes with Record Handle; Rosario Dominates Rider Standings

The FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs wrapped up Sunday with a nearly 24% rise in handle from the same period last year. A total of $74,088,532 was wagered via all-sources handle, up $14,260,088 (or 23.8%) from last year's total of $59,828,444, which was also a record at the time. Sunday's card of 10 races saw a handle of $13,899,277, third-highest at the all-turf track. Saturday's wagering of $20,849,967 on 11 races set a new mark for one day of racing at Kentucky Downs. The big story of the six-day meet...

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Kentucky Downs Turf Pick of the Day for Sept. 12

Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato give their best bet for each day of racing during the FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs. $100 Win/Place format; highest bankroll at the end wins. Steve Sherack: Saturday's Results - Bombard set the pace as expected and just got nipped on the wire for second to finish third. Bankroll: $550. Race 7 - In a race absolutely loaded with speed, Lady Danae is the clear cut one to beat, bad post and all, off an ultra-impressive, come-from-behind debut win at Saratoga over a razor-sharp, next-out...

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Argentinian Import Upsets Unlucky Arklow

Argentinian import Imperador (Arg) (Treasure Beach {GB}) was the main beneficiary of favorite Arklow (Arch)'s unlucky trip as he earned his first North American victory in the GII Calumet Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs, a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. Backed at 8-1 from a 15-1 morning line, the bay entire broke alertly from the fence before being wrestled back by Joe Talamo to bide his time in midpack. He was one slot behind Arklow as they headed down the hill past six furlongs...

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Gear Jockey Ridden to Perfection in Turf Sprint

Gear Jockey (Twirling Candy), third at 67-1 as a maiden in the 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita, delivered a career high while punching his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. The Calumet Farm homebred sat just off the pacesetting Bombard (War Front) in second, took over under confident handling as they hit the quarter pole and took care of business from there to win for fun. Longshot Diamond Oops (Lookin At Lucky) nosed out Bombard for second. Gear Jockey, a maiden winner at ninth...

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Unique Trophies for Unique Meet

FRANKLIN, Ky.--Winners of the bulk of the races at the FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs--from maidens to graded stakes--receive a big chunk of purse money and a distinctive keepsake of their success at the track that is unlike any other in North America. While it may be hard to put an autographed Fender acoustic guitar on a mantel, it sure is a conversation piece. Allie Sclafani, the marketing director for live racing, spent eight months developing the project that features guitars for the six-day, $15-million meet contested over eight days...

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Sunday Insights: Gun Runner Firster Headlines KY Downs Opener

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 1st-KD, $135K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, post time: 1:20 p.m. ET CARIOQUINHA (Gun Runner), listed as a $475,000 Keeneland November weanling, is the latest to make the races for her dam Pure Clan (Pure Prize), a three-time Grade I winner on turf who was purchased by Torrealba Holdings for $4.5 million in foal to Bernardini at KEENOV in 2012. Undefeated at two and also a three-time GSW on the main track, Pure Clan is the dam of two winners from three to start, including Three...

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'Stormy' Forecast at Kentucky Downs

After annexing her second career win in the GI Fourstardave H. at Saratoga this summer, Got Stormy (Get Stormy) will take on males once again in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GIII Fanduel Turf Sprint S. going six furlongs at Kentucky Downs. A winner of the GIII Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint S. at an additional half of a furlong here last term, Got Stormy narrowly captured the GIII Honey Fox S. at Gulfstream Feb. 27 before rolling a pair of fives in the GII Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S....

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Kentucky Downs Turf Pick of the Day for Sept. 11

Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato give their best bet for each day of racing during the FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs. $100 Win/Place format; highest bankroll at the end wins. Steve Sherack: Thursday's Results - Couple of late gate scratches completely killed my price (went from 6-1 to 5-2), but still great to finally get on the board with Red Danger after a steady diet of no-shows with logical horses to start this thing off. Bankroll: $550. Race 8 - A full field of turf sprinters are signed on for...

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Keeneland and Kentucky Downs Team Up for KEESEP Graduates

Horses offered at auction during the upcoming Keeneland September Yearling Sale will be eligible to run in a pair of $250,000 allowance races at the 2022 FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs. Kentucky Downs will stage one $250,000 allowance race for 2-year-old fillies and one for 2-year-old colts and geldings restricted to horses that go through the sales ring at this year's Keeneland September Sale. Yearlings that are sold as well as those not reaching their reserve bid will be eligible for the lucrative allowance events the following September at Kentucky...

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Kentucky Downs Turf Pick of the Day for Sept. 9

Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato give their best bet for each day of racing during the FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs. $100 Win/Place format; highest bankroll at the end wins. Steve Sherack: Tuesday's Results - Reward Night was sixth. Race 9 - Bargain $17k KEENOV graduate Red Danger should offer solid value off a good-looking maiden win at second asking in his turf debut at Saratoga Aug. 11. The chestnut overcame some early trouble checking in traffic shortly after the start, made a strong, three/four-wide move on the far turn and...

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Kentucky Downs Turf Pick of the Day for Sept. 8

Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato give their best bet for each day of racing during the FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs. $100 Win/Place format; highest bankroll at the end wins. Steve Sherack: Monday's Results - Setting the Mood was fourth. Race 5 - Reward Night has looked like a graded stakes horse in the making since switching to grass in his last two starts for Ian Wilkes. Rallied nicely--albeit into a hot pace--to finish a very useful third sprinting over the Ellis lawn July 9, then broke through with a visually...

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