Kentucky gets ready for new racetrack
The local gaming approved a proposed US$150 million racetrack and betting parlour.
US.- The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has approved late on Friday a joint venture between Churchill Downs and Keeneland, which proposed a US$150 million racetrack and betting parlour near the border with Tennessee.
The commission approved the licence for the racetrack with 11 votes in favour and three against it. The winner project competed with Kentucky Downs and Caesars-Bluegrass Downs. The licence is the first one approved in the state in 25 years, and according to a statement, it allows for 12 days of Standardbred racing starting in October 2019.
Moreover, the project includes a gambling parlour with up to 1,500 historical horse racing machines, which allow players to bet on races that have already taken place. The joint venture is also planning on building a hotel with 125 rooms, as well as an event centre, food venues, a 3,000-person outdoor amphitheatre and a stage, among other things.
“This decision, we felt, was very important and needed more time, the processing to be better thought out. We’re obviously very disappointed in the result,” said Ron Winchell, Kentucky Downs’ prospective new co-owner, in a statement. “We’re happy and excited about what’s going on at Kentucky Downs and looking forward to the future.”
